Page image

E.—ld

3

Miniature Rifle Rnnijta. —The establishment of these at the various schools having cadet corps is under consideration. Physical Drill. —A manual of " Physical Drill with Arms " has been issued to all corps, and a copy of the pictures illustrating the same will be found in the Appendix. The Cadet ('amp at C'hrislchurch. —The Government having decided to afford the cadets an opportunity to undergo training at a camp of instruction at Christchurch by granting free transit by steamer and train, and enabling a visit to be made to the New Zealand International Exhibition, advantage of the offer was taken by the undermentioned battalions, the condition being that each battalion must be of a strength not less than two hundred. A. charge of 2s. per head was made by the Government for repaying the cost of fencing in 4i acres of ground, and the erection of a cook-house, canteen, <fee. The camp was situated outside the western boundary of the Exhibition grounds. The first battalion to arrive was the 2nd Wanganui, on the 21st December last, followed in order by the battalions named below. The Wanganui Battalion was inspected on the 26th December, 1906, by the Hon. the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, K.C.M.G., accompanied by the Premier of Queensland, the Hon. Mr. Kidston, both of whom expressed themselves as being pleased at the manner in which the cadets acquitted themselves. After this the camp was inspected. The camp was closed during January (holidays), but was again opened from the 6th February, 1907, till the 12th April, when it was finally closed, as was the Exhibition on the 15th April. The whole of the battalions excepting the Taranaki, 3rd Wanganui, and Ist Nelson underwent six and a half days' training, the latter only five days consequent on transport arrangements not being available at the time. The following was the daily routine in camp: Rouse, 6 a.m.; drill, from 7 to 7.45 a.m.; breakfast, 8 a.m.; orderly-room, 9 a.m.; drill from 9.30 a.m. to 11.45 a.in. ; dinner at 12 noon; drill from 1.-'iO to 2.45 p.m.; tea,, 5 p.m. First and second posts were sounded at the hours fixed by the officer commanding the battalion. General leave was granted after tea till tattoo; for an extension of time after this a pass had to be procured. The following was the daily ration: 1 lb. meat, 1 lb. bread, § lb. vegetables, 2 oz. each of sugar, butter, and jam, « oz. of tea, \oz. coffee, \ oz. salt, 1-32 oz. pepper, 1 gill of milk, and 1 of. candle. The ration was found to be ample, and its cost was 9d. A complaint having been made as to the quality of the meat on two occasions, the contractor (Mr. F. A. Cook) immediately changed the butcher who supplied the meat, after which there were no further complaints of any kind. A canteen was established for the sale of aerated waters, biscuits, tinned fruits and fish, sweets, &c. The canteen was well patronised, and the jjrofits were either used as battalion funds or given to one for acting as an issuer. All the articles sold were of the best quality. Guards were mounted at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., and were of twelve hours' duration only, so as to enable each cadet to have a practical experience in this part of his training. When the weather permitted,' each battalion in coming into and leaving camp pitched and struck the tents. The pitching, after instructions, was so well done that not a single tent had to be struck and repitched. The tents were pitched in different parts of the enclosure, and unless the weather interfered some time elapsed before the same ground was used a second time. An officers' mess was also established. The " orderly-men's " work, and that of officers' mess orderlies, was performed by the cadets. Washing and bathing parades took place daily at 6.10 a.m. at the River Avon, adjacent to the (.■amp. All cook-house and other refuse was regularly and properly disposed of. Drinking water was procured from an artesian well sunk in the camp for the purpose, and was pumped into a large tank adjoining the cook-house. A sentry was placed at the water-tap to prevent waste or leakage. The camp was visited very frequently by an officer of the Health Department, who on all occasions was satisfied with the cleanliness of the same. The following are the medical reports from Drs. Thomas and Fenwick. Both of them visited the camp daily without fee or reward, and to them the thanks of the Department are due. Dr. Fenwick acted as medical officer to the 2nd Wanganui, and Dr. J. R. Thomas to all the battalions which came into camp from the 6th February till its close. Beporf by Dr. Thomas. Speaking generally, and considering the thousands of boys that have passed through the camp during the few months it was open, the health of the boys has been good. Among the earlier battalions, who were here during the hotter weather, slight feverish attacks accompanied by colic and diarrhoea were the principal ailments, due almost entirely to a too frequent application to the good things of the canteen, more particularly in the form of mineral waters. One boy, for a few days, showed signs of typhoid fever, and had in consequence to be removed to a private hospital. This case was, however, one of autointoxication, due to neglected constipation. Three other boys—two from a North Island battalion and one from a South Island battaliondeveloped measles, and had to be removed to Bottle Lake. They were fortunately able to return home with other battalions before the camp closed. Their tents were struck, disinfected by the Health authorities, and not used again while the camp was open. In passing I may here express my thanks to the Health authorities for the prompt way in which they responded to the request for disinfection of the infected tents. Several boys suffered from ordinary colds, and one or two from mild attacks of influenza. Two others developed an attack of asthma. None of these, however, presented any difficulties or complications, and were soon able to resume their work in the camp. One boy had to be sent to the public hospital with an inflamed leg—not, however, the result of any injury or infection in the camp He returned home later with a neighbouring battalion.