MILITARY TRAINING CAMPS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 14

MILITARY TRAINING CAMPS.

THE SITES SELECTED. WELLINGTON, June 1. The Advisory Board appointed to report to the Government upon the most suitable sites for a military training camp in each island has submitted its conclusions. The board comprised Mr W. C. Kensington, 1.5.0. (Under-secretary for Crown Lands), who was the chairman, Colonel H. D. Tuson (Adjutant-general), and Mr James Strauchon (Surveyor-general). An extensive irea near Waimarino, on the North Island Main iVunk railway, was selected for ttte North Island, and an area near the Waimakariri River, six miles from Christchurch, was found to be most suitable for the South Island. Waimarino was selected as the North Island camp site on account of its central

position, it being at an almost equal distance from Auckland and Wellington, 244 miles from Napier by railway, and 243 miles from New Plymouth. It would also be po'ssible, states the report, for East Coast troops to come by way of Motu, Rotorua, and Taupo, whilst the railway lines in course of construction 'would materially shorten the times now occupied by troops arriving from the Bay of Plenty, North Taranaki, and outlying districts. The site is in close proximity to the Waimarino Station on the North Island Main Trunk line, and.the construction of about three-quarters of a mile of light railway, cheaply formed, would enable trains to be taken Tight up to it. The land is comparatively flat, and gives ample facilities for raihvay requirements. The site also has the advantage of a main, road from both north and south, and also of a road which is being formed from Waimarino Station in the direction of Roto Aira and Tokaanu. This would be extended from time to time, and thus form a line of road on which troops can march to distant points in the manoeuvring area, accompanied by military waggons and equipment. Four sites for camping have been selected, any one of which is admirably adapted for the purpose. The soil is of light pumiceous nature, and there is a slope just sufficient to provide easy and effective drainage. Patches of native forest afford shelter from the prevailing southwest wind. There is ample flat ground for drilling. The total area is 37,600 acres, of which the Crown owns 32,435, about 5165 acres being inferior Native land, which would have to be acquired. The board points out that the altitude of the site is 2600 ft above sea level. The rainfall is about 50in I per annum, and the climate is fine and bracing, being well adapted to ensure the health of the troops when in camp. There is a plentiful supply of timber and numerous streams of good water. As the land is unsuitable for close settlement, and there is no settlement of any kind near the proposed manoeuvring area, no damage would be occasioned to private property, while the nature of the country provides excellent practising ground for manoeuvres, and there is ample distance for the safe firing of long-range artillery. Reasons are given why other North Island sites were* rejected.- The Karioi site was large enough, but bleak and exposed, and not so central as Waimarino. A proposed clearing cf 1000 acres at Rangataua, suggested by the residents, was considered too small, and the Waioxiru site was too exposed. Though Marton was eminently suitable from a railway point of view, there was no Crown land in the vicinity, and the cost of acquisition would be too great. Taupo was considered too far from the railway. An area adjoining the Waimeha Railway Station, on the .Ongarue River, north of Taumarunui, was visited, but the site is not so central as Waimarino, and the cost of acquisition from the Natives would be heavy. An area of 7677 acres in the Himatangi block, between Fbxton and Palmerston, and leased by Messrs Barber and Co., Wellington, was offered to the board, but was considered unsuitable, not being central, while the land is suitable for settlement, and is high priced. Mr F. P. Welch, of Masterton, offered the Willow Park Estate, of 1065 acres, at Opaki but on the same grounds as in the case of Himitangi this offer was also declined. A consideration of the physical features of the South Island forced upon the board the conclusion that the selected site must be within the Canterbury district, and readily accessible from other districts. Many sites were reported upon' and the board personally inspected those that seemed to possess most advantages, together with the country around Christchurch, finally selecting a site on the south bank of the Waimakariri River, about six miles from Christchurch, 230 miles from Dunedin by railway, 369 miles from Invercargill, 148 miles from Greymouth, 220 from Blenheim (by road and railway), and about 280 miles from Nelson by steamer. The land was granted by the Crown to the Board of Conservators of the Waimakariri River as an endowment to provide funds for the protection of the river banks, but as the sols purpose of the endowment is to provide funds, the board suggests that there could be no objection to an area of Crown land of corresponding value in another part of the district being exchanged for the proposed site. The endowment contains 12,115 acres, but it is considered that 4800 would be sufficient for the camp. The site is practically flat, and an old river-bed without bush. There are, however, slight depressions in the country, which would afford ample scope for the manoeuvres of troops. The board had an embarrassing number of sites proffered in both Canterbury and Otago. These were situated at Culverden. Oxford, Upper Ashley, Burnt Hill, Broken River, and Waitaki TJn Canterbury), Outram, Henley, Dunback, Waihfftno, Clinton, Barewood, and Waitahuna (in Otago), and Lumsden (in Southland), but in every case they lacked the general advantages of the Waimakariri site, and

generally required to be purchased at a high cost. The Cabinet has accepted the commission's recommendations,