AUSTRALIA'S MILITARY CAMP

Southland Times, Issue 17484, 27 July 1915, Page 6

AUSTRALIA'S MILITARY CAMP

COAI MISSION OF ENQUIRY. iO.Mi: AIORE REAI ARK ABLE EVIDENCE. (By Telegraph.—Dress Assn. —Copyright) SYDNEY, July 26. Received July 26. I".40 p.m. At the camp enquiry L ieut.-Colonel Derkins gave evidence that there was an urgent necessity for a permanent medical staff. He only gut three officers. Colonel Kirkland, camp commandant, stated that lie had recommended the purchase of mattresses and the erection of a fumigating leant, but had not received a reply. Air Justice Rich interposed: "The method of dealing with recommendations seems to have been an extension of the Aficawber principle. Colonel Kirkland, in further evidence, stated that there had never been a shortage of ball cartridges, but there was a scarcity of dummies. When he took over the camp he found an undesirable state of affairs. The parades showed from 70u to SbO men absent daily without leave. It was nothing unusual in the case of certain battalions to find all the officers absent except one or two Witness thought that a good deal of sickness was due to drink. He noticed incidents of immorality every pay day, hut plain clothes constables were now on duty. Witness knew that men had departed without sufficient musketry instruction but they would receive it in Egypt. He considered that the facilities by which men obtained drink should be restricted. V URTH E R E VID EXC E. THE JUDGE’S RECOMMENDATIONS SYDNEY, July 26. Received July 27, 12.50 a.rn. The witness Perkins further maintained that reforms recommended were not adopted expeditiously owing to tlie centralisation of authority. It was necessary to send requisitions to Alelbourne where the system insisted upon could not hut result in a breakdown. Pending a final report Air Justice Rich recommends drainage at the camp, that the streets and huts be swept daily and sprayed weekly, and that blankets be Hired and sunned.