TO BE SHIFTED AT ONCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3200, 14 July 1915, Page 5

TO BE SHIFTED AT ONCE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 8. The important announcement that the Government has decided to shift the Trentham Camp was made by the Prime Minister late this evening. “ The Government has decided to shift the camp, and a commencement will bo made to-morrow morning,” said Mr Massey. ' He said he was unable to say to ,what site the camp would be moved, because the camp would bo divided, and he was not in a position to say where the different divisions would be placed. “I think,” ho added, “ that it will all be in the North Island. This is all I can say at present.” COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. WELLINGTON, July 8. The Prime Minister announced to-night that the following gentlemen had been appointed members oi the Royal Commission of Inquiry which vs to conduct an investigation with regard to the sickness and general conduct of affairs at Trentham camp: Mr Justice Hosking. Mr William Ferguson (engineer to the .Wellington Gas Company). Dr A. A. Martin, of Palmerston North (recently returned from the front). The commission is to inquire into the administration of the Trentham camp during the present war so far as such administration relates in any way to the health, comfort, feeding, clothing, treatment, and accommodation of the troops; and, in ■ particular, t> inquire into the following matters: 1. The extent, nature, and causes of sickness among the troops. 2. The extent and causes of mortality among the troops. 3. Whether duo care and efficient measures have been at all times taken to prevent or minimise such sickness or mortality. 4. Whether an efficient system for the treatment of the sick has at all times existed in connection with the camp. 5. Whether an efficient system of medical inspection of the troops has at all times existed. 6. Whether in any cases the sick have been neglected or improperly treated. 7. Whether undue delay has in any cases taken place ip the removal of the sick from the camp to a hospital. 8. Whether proper notification has at all times been made to the relatives of the sick, and sufficient facilities given to those relatives to afford assistance or comfort. 9. Whether an efficient system of drainage, water supply, and sanitation has at all times existed in respect of the camp. 10. Whether the camp is suitably situated, equipped, and arranged for the purposes for which it is used. 11. Whether sufficient sanitary or other reasons exist for the removal of the camp from its present situation. 12. Whether the food supplied to the troops has been at all times sufficient and of good quality, and properly prepared and served. 13. Whether the clothing supplied to the troops has been _ at all times of proper quality and sufficient in amount. 14. 'Whether the tents, huts, and other accommodation for the troops have at all times been sufficient, suitable, and proper for the purpose. 15. Whether in any respect the troops have been at any time exposed to undue and prcventible hardships or discomforts. 16. Whether due care and competence have at all times been shown by the medical and other officers charged with the administration of any of the matters aforesaid. QUESTION OF NEW SITE. yfEOii Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 8. Trentham Camp conditions, and the suggestion that the camp site should bo shifted were the subjects of a lengthy debate in the House of Representatives today. Sir Joseph Ward asked the Minister of

Defence , whether it was not desirable to have another camp, and for the men at Trontham to be removed altogether. His own opinion was that the whole camp should be removed without delay, and the causes of the trouble should bo found out later-. The Minister of Defence said it was impossible for an3 - one in the House, to say without experience, and without having had the opportunity of inquiring fully into what was being clone, whether Trentham Camp was a healthy camp or not. The advice given to him by the Public Health Department was that 'the camp was perfectly healthy, and that the trouble which hud arisen did not originate in Trontham at all. A discussion followed, various sites being suggested by members. The following are some extracts from the debate ; Sir Joseph Ward: I don’t think it matters about the work if there is going to be disease. Mr Massey; The Trentham site has been used for camps for many years. Dr Thacker: Twenty years. _ Mr Massey said that the site was low lying, but it was supposed to be a particularly healthy locality, and had one advantage—there were six feet of gravelly soil, enabling satisfactory drainage. Another camp would require reading and building upon. In a few days electric light would bo turned on at Trentham. As for mud; it was impossible to avoid it in wet weather when a large number of men were gathered together. The mud had contributed largely to the spread of disease, but was now disappearing. An inquiry would be held in a few days, and a Parliamentary inquiry was being held that day by experts as to whether the camp should be transferred. If they reported that the camp should be shifted for the health_ of the men or that it should bo divided either course would bo adopted at the earliest possible moment. He hoped to announce the personnel and order of reference of the Roy id Commission that day. The best means of securing the health of the men in camp and the cause of the disease would be inquired into by the commission. Sir Joseph Ward said that the inquiry should bo open to the press, and the order of reference should be made wide enough to enable full inquiry to be made. _ Mr Massey; It is for the commission to say whether the press shall be admitted. Hon. members’: No. Mr Massey said he hoped the press would be admitted and the fullest publicity given to the deliberations of the commission. Its scope would be as wide as possible to make it, and it would have full access to all documents and reports. Sir Joseph Ward asked why something had not been done in connection with the provision of a hospital at Trentham. He and many other people had contributed to the provision of a stationary hospital, where men might in time of sickness receive treatment equal to that in a hospital in town. He desired to know- who was responsible for it not being gone, on with and where the money was. Ho was not suggesting responsibility on the part of anybody in particular, but it had been advocated that Trentham should bo the place where the hospital would be. Mr Allen said that the contract was let for the hospital, and it should have been completed on Juno 27. The buildings could be seen, but the contractor had not completed it in time, and was being fined for every day overdue. He had asked the commandant if the work could not be taken out of the hands of the contractor and completed by the Government. A question regarding the care of the horses in Trentham was asked by Sir Jos. Ward. He was informed, ho said, that a short time ago it was reported that some of the horses had strangles and mud fever, and he wanted to know- if the Minister had received any information on the matter. _ _ ' The Prime Minister said he saw the horses some three weeks ago, and they were then looking particularly well. There was no sign of sickness, and the men were proud of the animals which they controlled. Mr Coates said that a short time ago ho went through the horse lines, and he w-as sure there was a considerable improvement on the conditions of about six weeks ago. The horses were well cared for, and there was special precaution to keep them dry and comfortable. There was no sign of strangles or mud fever a few days ago. Replying to Mr Buddp, Mr Rhodes said that since the Public Health Department took over the hospitals they had been under Dr Valintino,-- and the staff of medical officers had been supplemented. The plan was to send serious cases to the Wellington Hospital, and when they left there they were sent to Kaiwarra. Thence they went to their own homes, or, if necessary, to convalescent homes. So far all had desired to return home. Sometimes men became ill suddenly, and it w-as not advisable to move them to the hospital, and that was why ©ome cases wore left at Trentham. Serious cases could bo put in a separate room, and there w-as a large staff of doctors and nurses. Mr Poland said he knew of a case of a man who had had to write a letter by stealth and smuggle it out of the hospital to let his friends know he was ill with measles. Mr Rhodes said that no one suffering from an infectious disease w-as allowed to send a letter; but he had given instructions that a man should be set apart to communicate the fact of a man’s admission to hospital to his friends, and to send progress reports. This w-as now being done. Sir Joseph Ward suggested that the letters might bo sterilised. Ho deprecated the suggestion that men should not send letters at all, and remarked that when he had had measles, seven or eight years ago, ho had carried on a voluminous correspondence with persons all over the country. An hon. member: You Nero Minister of Public Health then? Sir Joseph Ward; I think I was.—(Laughter.) Mr Rhodes said ho had to bo guided in the matter by his medical advisers. One way would be to get someone to write the letters. As for telegrams, ho had set a man apart to send them and reply to them. Mr Wilford asked if it was wise to allow men with a temperature or with measles to bo put into loose boxes. On Sunday ho had been in a loose box, whore there were five men, one being the managing clerk of Mr A. C. Hanlon, of Dunedin. A RedCross man had told him (Mr Wilford) that he and one orderly had to attend to 70 men. Mr Rhodes said that on a certain Sunday a marquee was blown down, and Dr Valintine, through the consequent temporary shortage of accommodation, placed some men in loose boxes. They were perfectly

clean and healthy, and ho would bo willing to sleep in cno himself any night. Dr Thacker: The greatest danger of sleeping in horse boxes is tetanus. Mr Allen: No one has had tetanus. DEPARTURE FROM TRENTHAM. (Feoh Oue Own Coeeespondent.) WELLINGTON, July 9. Now that it has been decided that the military training camp shall be moved from Trentham, members of the House are showing some anxiety to have some of the force encamped in their districts. This was made apparent in the House to-day, when requests were made to the Minister of Defence on the subject. The Hon. J Allen, in a statement on the subject, said that all the men at Trentham were to bo moved to new camps, and the work had begun that morning at 9 o’clock. It was only the previous afternoon that information came to him from the medical officers that they had decided that the camp ought to bo moved. Up till, that time they had advised him that it was not necessary to move it. When they decided that it would bo wiser to move the camp the staff were called together at a moment’s notice, and the officers worked until the early hours of the morning in order to make definite arrangements for the removal of everybody at the earliest possible moment. The camp sites selected wore at Waikanae, Tauherenikau, and places on the Palmorston-Foxton railway line. The removal would go on to-day, and on Saturday, and part of Sunday, by which day no men would be left at Trentham. The officers and non-commissioned officers for the Eighth Reinforcements,. who aero due to commence their training shortly, would not go into any of these camps, but would go into camp at the Show Grounds at Palmerston North. It was just possible that some, or all. of these camps might prove unsuitable, and for this reason he would welcome offers of other grounds. Mr Myers: Arc you prepared to accept an offer from Auckland? Mr Allen: I am not prepared to consider any offer, but I am prepared to put on record any offer that comes in. If it should prove necessary to move a camp again "ho would ho pleased to consider any offer. In the new camps the men would be placed in tents, this being the recommendation of the medical officers. They wore using all the tents available. Dr Thacker: Have you sterilised them? Mr Allen: I think the hon. gentleman needs some sterilising. The tents are continually being sterilised. They are even sterilised from time to, time at Trentham. Dr Thacker: How often do you wash the blankets at Trentham? An Hon. Member: You go and wash them. Mr Allen said that the men would have to put up with considerable inconvenience. The camps would be now, and there would be mud. If the mud in any one camp got too bad the men would have to ho moved to another. With the men there would bo sent to the new sites all the timber available, and the men. would have the duty of making their own tent floors immediately, so that the tents might be floored as soon as possible. The tent floors at Trentham were thoroughly sterilised. The water supply for the two camps on the Foxton railway lino would be from water tanks lent by the Railway Department. This would continue until a pipe line could be laid to lead in an artesian supply. This work had already been commenced. All the luon would be kept in the' North Island for the present, but this might be altered later. No more men would come in- untilAugust. There wore not sufficient marquees available to provide hospital accommodation for those camps, but authority had been given to the department to secure whatever marquees were required, whether of military pattern or not. from whoever possessed them. Ho thought the arrangement made, as things were in a hurry, would be very satisfactory. Not more than 3000 men would go into any one camp. Sir J. G. Ward: What is being done with the sick men, who are not now at the camp? Mr Allen ; They will remain where they are. DISPOSITION OF FORCE. The whole force is being divided up into four camps, as follows Rangiotu (near. Foxton) —Trentham Regiment (The Earl of Liverpool’s Own), 2200 strong. Near Foxton —Sixth Infantry Reinforcements, 1200 strong. Waikanae —Seventh Infantry Reinforcements, 1200 strong. Tauherenikau —Mounted Rifles, Artillery, and Engineers. The Rangiotu camp site is situated some seven miles down the Foxton line from Longburn, is close to the railway, anti has an artesian water supply. This site was especially selected last week, and is considered eminently suitable for the purpose, being situated on the river bed and composed on the surface of sandy soil. The new camp sites are all situated in the Wellington Province. They are all selected with an eye to the nature of their soil. Himitangi and all the districts along the Foxton railway lino below that township is of a sandy soil, and the whole land thereabouts falls gradually downwards to the sea. The localities are all within easy reach of headquarters, and this requirement is stated to be one reason why it has been decided not to go to the Auckland district or to the South Island. NATURE OF THE SICKNESS. EXPERT INVESTIGATION. WELLINGTON, July 9. The Minister of Public .Health stated la to to-night that the medical staff of the Expeditionary Forces was investigating the nature of the sickness among the troops, and had secured: the assistance of the Chief Government Bacteriologist and Dr Champtaloup (bacteriologist at Otago University). These experts would determine whether or not dengue fever had secured a footing among the men. It was certain that the influerza and measles were of a malignant type, often developing into severe pneumonia.. The trouble did not mean in any way that there would be delay in the despatch of troops, ISOLATION OF THE CAMP. WELLINGTON, July 9. “A blunt intimation that I could not go on the ground unices I was prepared to bo isolated for a month mot me when I wont out to Trentham Camp on an important business matter to-day.” The speaker was

a Wellington business man, a member of a well-known city firm, which has a contract in connection with the camp hospital. He went to Trentham to inspect the work being clone by ■ his men, who have been living out there while engaged on the contract. When he approached the camp he found his way barred by ' a guard. He wished to see his foreman, but there was no entry save on the one condition. With some difficulty he got a message through to one of his employees. In the meantime word had gone round that the workmen engaged at camp were all to be, isolated, and ho found that his employees wore determined to stay there no longer. But it was one thing to say they would leave, and cjiiito another to get away. They were told that they must stay where they were. This they refused to do. If they could not pass out in a body, they would leave singly, so one by' one the 10 men in this particular firm’s employ slipped out of camp (which was an easy enough thing to do), joined their employer, and came back to town with him. ‘Tn consequence of this,” explained the informant, “work on the hospital buildings is now at a standstill. 1 was informed that all the carpenters at the camp were also going to get away as soon as they could. It was impossible to find out why the isolation order was issued, but I was given to understand that soma exceptionally contagious disease had broken out.” A similar story was related by another city business man, who wont to the camp, was denied admission, and returned to town accompanied by the men ho had working there. A lady visitor yesterday went out to see a friend at the Heretaunga Golf Pavilion, ■ where the friend was assisting to nurse sick soldiers. On arrival the visitor was told that she would have to remain there in quarantine. The golf pavilion and two private residences in the neighbourhood, where sick soldiers are being nursed, have all been quarantined. INVESTIGATION PROCEEDING. (Feoji Ode Own Coeeespondent.) WELLINGTON, July 9. The Minister of Public Health stated tonight that the nature of- the sickness was still being investigated. Mr G. A. Hurley (Government bacteriologist) was working on it, and Dr Champtaloup (Professor of Public Health in the Otago Medical School, and Government bacteriologist at Dunedin) were determined to discover the cause and the nature of the epidemic, if it was possible to do so. The illness supposed to be influenza had developed into a very virulent form, and the measles had also been of a malignant type. The combination of the two had been very difficult to deal with. It had happened that men had had influenza -after an attack of measles. Unfortunately, also, a number had contracted pneumonia, but until the investigations -were complete it was deemed advisable to quarantine the camp. This did not mean that the men would not be allowed to move to the other camps. Mr Rhodes said it had not been reported to him that there was typhoid at the camp, and he did not believe that the disease was typhoid. The doctors had not reported any cases of diphtheria, and no deaths had been reported that day. Two troopers—Privates A. Clarke (Wellington) and E. Smith (Christchurch) —died at the Trentham Hospital yesterday from complications following on an attack of measles. DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. MORE INFORMATION WANTED. (Fboii Ouh Own Coeeespondent.) WELLINGTON, July 9. In the House to-day Mr G. W. Russell asked the Minister of Public Health if the Government would arrange that information should bo at once forwarded to the parents and next-of-kin directly a trooper was sent into hospital from a military camp. Mr Allen said that had been arranged, though it had not been so in the early stages. Mr Russell said he regretted to have to state a painful series of facts in this connection. A trooper named G. Smith, of Limvood, whose death was announced that morning, was moved from the camp to the Kaiwarra Hospital on Juno 16. On June 28 he was removed to the Wellington Hospital, and the first information that his parents and relatives received that he was ill in hospital was convoyed to them on Saturday last by a trooper—a friend of their son, who called at their home at Linwood. On Monday they telegraphed to Wellington, and Dr Barclay replied that their son had been moved from the hospital the previous day. They came up at once. He did not know whether the man was taken from Wellington to Kaiwarra, or to the camp at Trentham. The hospital authorities were unable to give the information, but said that the man’s removal was ordered by Dr Henderson. He understood that the hospital authorities at Wellington had no control of patients sent there from the camp, who were visited twice a day by doctors from the camp. The hospital doctors were sent in only on urgent cases. The young man was practically on the brink of death when his mother arrived, and she obtained only a glance of recognition before he died. If that was the position it was absolutely cruel, and was the kind of thing that should not be going on with the consent and knowledge of the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Public Health. The Government should give instructions that someone should be appointed, so that parents should bo informed directly a man entered hospital. Tlie Hon. R. H. Rhodes said he regretted very much to hear what Mr Russell had said. He did not know where the lapse of duty had occurred. On taking over the now duties on Juno 23 ho thought he gave instructions that next of kin should ho notified in all such cases, and Dr Valintine told him that he had already placed similar instructions in the regulations. Later he was informed that some parents had not been notified, and ho issued instructions that somebody must he sot apart to notify next of kin of a man’s removal to hospital, and if there was any change for the worse in his condition, and to answer telegrams and inquiries. Ho would have the case inquired into, AN AUCKLAND CASE. Mr Poole referred tn the ease of Private William Harris, of Auckland, whose sislor, he said, wrote I‘.vice within a fortnight to ask how he was. and got no reply. Then she received a telegram to say that he was dead. There rnual be something not known to members of (ho Cabinet,

Mr Hindmarsh: The Minister ought to resign. ; Mr Payne : The country is cryifig out for it. Mr Rhodes: I have nothing further to say, except that I shall institute inquiries into the case. CONTACTS IN CHRISTCHURCH. Dr Thacker asked the Minister of Public Health if he was aware that measles were being disseminated all .over the dominion by contacts, and that cases of measles were reported to him from Christchurch. That day the lady who looked after his house in Christchurch stated that three men on sick leave from Trentham had called to see him. (She knew something of illness, and asked them if they had measles. They summond Dr Inglis, who diagnosed the cases as measles of the virulent type—that was to say, black, or septic, measles, occurring at Trentham, which resulted in pneumonia. Dr Inglis immediately put the men in the hospital. This was a state of things that should noUcontinue. Mr Rhodes said he had no knowledge of contacts being sent away from Wellington, and, if this was being done, it must be stopped. - PROCESS OF SHIFTING. PUBLIC RIGIDLY EXCLUDED. (From Ouh Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 11. The public were rigidly excluded from the camp to-day, and no one who could not produce a military pass was admitted. Heavy rain foil on Saturday, and the outlook at Trentham was dismal and desolate. Reveille sounded at 4 a.m., and after a couple of hours’ work in getting baggage together, the first contingent of men was entrained at 7 o’clock. Throe other trains followed, bound for the various camps, the men being crowded into the vans and carriages, and not allowed on the platforms. Soon Trentham camp, the scene of so much life was deserted, dozens of empty corrugated iron hutments marking the sphere of former military achievements. MOVING IN THE RAIN. (From Our Own Correspondent.) ' PALMERSTON N„ July 11. 111-luck in regard to weather conditions attended the commencement, which was made on Friday, of the shifting of the soldiers who were in camp at Trentham to the new camp sites selected in the Manawatu and Wairarapa districts. Considerable rain fell on Friday night, and in the Manawatu district especially, the fall was particularly heavy, it being the greatest record in that district for such a short period for several years. The Manawatu and other rivers were in high Hood, and to-day, when there was no rain, they were still running very high, whilst the roads in many places wore still under water. Yesterday there was three or four feet of water on portions of some of the roads in the neighbourhood of Shannon A largo section of the men who left Tronthara for the now encampments in the Manawatu district experienced the full effect of the heavy rain. The camp ground at Waikanae (?7 miles from Wellington) became wot and muddy, but yesterday, thanks to the hospitality of the residents, arrangements were made for housing ns many as possible of the men. The remainder of the Waikanae contingent will bo provided with

dry quarters to-night. Another section was sent on from Waikanae yesterday to Levin, where the Mayor and residents at once sot about making them very comfortable by quartering them in the drill shed, school, and public halls. The men at Waikanae and Levin form the Seventh Reinforcements. TRENTHAM REGIMENT’S EXPERIENCES. The Trcntham Regiment (Earl of Liverpool’s Own) was despatched from Trentham for Rangiotu, a few miles beyond Palmerston, on the Foxton railway line. Owing to the rain and the flooded state of the camp ground selected, these men did not reach their destination, their trains being stopped at Awapuni, shortly before reaching Palmerston. Hero again the residents of Palmeiston were equal tr. the emergency, and dry and comfortable quarters for the troops were found in the racecourse and show grounds buildings. INSPECTION BY MINISTERS. A visit of inspection of the troops at Waifcauao, Levin, and Awapuni was made today by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Health (the Elon. R. H. Rhodes), who left Wellington by special train at 9 o’clock this morning. Several members of the House of Representatives accompanied the Ministers. The first halt was made at Waikanae, where there arc nearly 500 men, and the camp and the temporary quarters of the men who have been housed were inspected. No water was lying on the eamp ground today, but evidences of the heavy rain of yestordav were not wanting, whilst the accumulation of mud had commenced. Water had entered some of the tents yesterday. The men had made the best of their circumstances, and wore, on the whole, very cheerful. More men who were in tents last night will be provided with good quarters tliis evening. This camp is only a temporary one. A bettor one has been found about a mile and a-ha!f away. This site was inspected to-day by the Prime Minister, who expressed himself well pleased with it. It is on sandy soil, and possesses good natural drainage and a- good water supply. A start to move the men to this camp may bo made to-morrow. The other section of the Seventh Reinforcements were inspected in their temporary quarters in the large public school and the drill hall and Town Hall at Levin. The men number about 235, and about 100 of them are accommodated in the drill hall. Excellent commissariat arrangements have been made here, the Town Hal! being sot apart fo- the purpose. The men, who wore divided into three relays, wore seen at lunch time to-day. These men will be taken back to Waikanae after the new camp is prepared. On the way from Levin to Awapuni a good opportunity was afforded of witnessing the effects of the heavy rainfall. At Awapuni the Prime Minister and party visited the troops at the racecourse and the show grounds, and they expressed themselves as well satisfied with the arrangements made for the quartering of the men in the various buildings. The men in all oases wore very cheerful, and in most cases quite jolly. PROVISION FOR THE SICK. At each place visited by the_ Ministerial party the sick soldiers were visited. At Waikanae there is only one mild case of measles, and about 15 cases of influenza and colds. Those patients are in charge of two nurses, and are progressing favourably.

At Levin there -were five cases of measles, mostly of a mild type, and one case of influenza. These patients are comfortably accommodated •in a small • hall. There are a few cases of sickness also at Awapuni. The hospital arrangements made in all cases are giving satisfaction. SPIRIT OF CHEERFULNESS. The general spirit pervading the troops is one of great cheerfulness. The change from Trentham appears to be generally appreciated, although some men miss the dry huts and other conveniences which they had to leave behind them. The Prime Minister, in commenting on what he had seen during the day, expressed his pleasure at the cheerfulness of the men, and the arrangements made in the various districts for their comfort under the trying circumstances. The Prime Minister received a very cordial reception from the men at the various places visited, hearty cheers beinggiven for him at each of the places visited. The party returned to Wellington late in the afternoon. NEW W AIR All APA CAMP. The lion. J. Allen (Minister of Defence) visited the Wairarapa district to-day in connection with the new camp there. ADDITIONAL NOTES. (Fbom Oce Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, July 11. In selecting Rangiotu out of a number of sitics offering in and around Palmerston North the military exports considered that it offered everything necessary in the way of a camp site, and what it lacked could be provided. For instance, as water was required, Mr K. M'Donald, of the Rangiotu Cheese Factory, kindly consented to provide a water supply from his artesian well. Various firms were got in touch with, the necessary piping was secured, and the work of establishing a water supply was undertaken. This will take about six days to complete. On Friday night Mr Manawaroa To Awe Awe, of Rangiotu, was interviewed in reference to the use of his land for the site, and being imbued with a patriotic spirit, he consented to give the land, provided the military authorities paid £2O a month rent to the Mayor of Palmerston North, this money to be devoted to the Patriotic Fund. lie also generously made an offer of a further 900 acres about three miles from the selected site. On Saturday' morning Dr Frenglcy, Colonel Tait, Major M'Douald, and Captain Jickoll again visited the site, and finally settled matters. On the first site there will be the Trentham Regiment, and another camp will bo established on the additional ground offered by Mr Manawaroa. ■ The first camp will be about a mile from Rangiotu, and the second about four miles. NO DEATHS SINCE WEDNESDAY. STATEMENT BY MR MASSEY. WELLINGTON, July 10. The Prime Minister stated to-day that there had been no more deaths at Trcntham camp since Wednesday, and that there was no evidence of other complaints than a virulent form of influenza. In regard to the statements that dengue fever had made its appearance, ho says there is no reason to believe it, and he has received no report from the medical officers justifying the rumour.