NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1916, Page 7

NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL.

SICKNESS AT FEATHERSTON CAMP. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Fob. 11. The outbreak of sickness at Featherston camp lias been very much less serious that some of the published statements on the subject have suggested. Since the trouble a: Trentham camp last vear the Defence authorities have made a practice of sending into the military hospitals every soldier who reports himself unwell, so that there may be no danger of an epidemic getting a'start of the medical staff. In accordance with this rule some scores of the men in Feathersston camp have been put on the sick list during tly> last week or two, their complaint being an internal disturbance thai in civilian life would be described baldly as "stcmaeh-achc." The medical officers incline to the opinion that the cause of the trouble was the excessive consumption of lemonade and ginger beer during the very hot weather, but they have taken all precautions. The water supply has been tested, an erpert has been employed to suppress the Hies, and the food used in the camp have been examined carefully. The latest reports from Featherston indicate that the amount of sickness is decreasing. TF'JC HOSPITAL SHIP FTj>TD. A balance-sheet in connection with the Hos.oital Ship Fund has been issued by '(he Department of Internal Affairs at the direction of his Excellency the Governor. The figures show that'there is a balance of some £14,800 in hand, after providing for the original expenditure on the two hospital ships (the Maheno and the Marama), the re-com-missioning of the Maheno and the sums used in oilier directions. ft will be remember ;d that his Excellency the Governor used £IO,OOO from the fund to provide equipment for the New Zealand hospital a< Mt. Felix (England), £IOOO to provide comforts for the New Zealand sick and wounded in Egypt, £5(10 for the equipment of the Stationnary Hospitals, and £l5O for tobacco and newspapers for the New Zealanders in England. The total amount collected was £00,7(10 7s 2d. This money, it may be mentioned, is controlled" entirely by ;he Governor, who initiated the movement for the despatch of the hospital ships and invited the public to subscribe. The cost of chartering the steamers and re-arranging the internal fittings was met by the Government. POLITICAL SITUATION. The voice of rumor is still very busy with the. National Government and the political situation generally, but the position undoubtedly is easier than it was a fortnight ago. The Ministers have practically reached a settlement with regard to the Board of Trade controversy, though the appointment of the Board may not be announced for some days, or even for a week or two, yet. There are abundant indications that the two sections of the Cabinet are finding it increasingly difficult to avoid diu'crences on points of policy, but a serious effort on both sides to work together is bound to overcome a good many troubles, and 'the Ministers certainly have no wish to reach an actual crisis. The summoning of Parliament not later than April is being predicted confidently in political circles, and ; t is assumed that Mr. Massey and Sr Joseph Ward will proceed to London when a brief session has been concluded. The other rumors in circulation, regarding the possibility of one of the party leaders, or both of them remaining in London in official positions may be dismissed for the present as mere gossip.