4

E.—ld

Blistered feet and simple inflammations of toes and fingers were among some of the minor surgical ailments. . , The sanitary arrangements in the camp were good, and I think Colonel Loveday is to be complimented upon the good health of the boys, and upon the success of the whole movement. I wish also to compliment the officers of the separate battalions upon the way they conducted the boys successfully to the oainp and back to their homes. If in order in this report, I should like to make the following recommendations tor medical and surgical work in connection with cadet battalions in camp, viz.:— (1) That every battalion should have its own ambulance outfit and emergency case; (2) that instructions in first aid to the injured with the elements of anatomy and physiology be given to all cadet boys; (3) that squads should be formed for practice in the treating, lifting, and carrying of injured persons; (4) that competitions should be held at the annual camp to stimulate the boys to take up the work. Ihc above recommendations might be considerably enlarged upon, but judging from what I saw of the boys I think any such movement as embodied in the above would be heartily seconded by them. J. R. Thomas, M.8., Ch.B. Christchurch, 22nd April, 1907. Report of Dr. Fenwick. I be" to report that during my term of duty in the cadets' camp the health of the cadets was excellent There were several trivial cases of exposure to the sun and a certain number of cases of biliousness owing to the ample diet. The sanitary arrangements were excellent. The water-supply was very pure and in sufficient quantity. P. Clennbll Fenwick, Surgeon-Captain. Christchurch, 20th April, 1907.

By reference to the hours of daily routine it will be patent to any one that it cannot be said the visit to Christchurch was a picnic; on the contrary, the time occupied in camp duties and drill took up the greater part of the day. Evidence of the beneficial effect of this training was afforded by the very favourable comments on the appearance of the cadets when marching out of Camp Too high p ra i se cannot be given for the manner in which the cadets conducted themselves, and for the zealous manner in which they discharged their duties on guard, and without hesitation it may be said the sentries were alert on their posts. A word of praise is also clue to those cadets who acted as military police both in camp and in and about the Exhibition and its grounds, so that no complaints were ever made as to the conduct of the boys. Thanks to the General Manager of the Exhibition, who took a lively interest in the cadets, each one of them had free admission to the buildings and to certain side-shows, and the weekly display of fireworks. With the exception of the 2nd Wanganui the remainder of the battalions were transported to. Lyttelton by the s.s. "Te Anau." The officers commanding the same spoke highly of the kind treatment and attention their respective commands received at the hands of the ship's officers. Mr. Butler, who had been specially detailed by the Union Steamship Company to act as transport officer carried out his duties in a most satisfactory manner, and praise is also due to Mr. H. Willin'gs, the chief steward, who looked after the catering arrangements. While on the subject of transport, reference must also be made to the stationmasters at Lyttelton and Christchurch for the admirable arrangements for the conveyance of the battalions by rail. It was pleasing to learn how the public assisted the cadets by means of donations to a fund to provide seaside trips and to visit certain side-shows, the proprietors of which on their part admission at a mere nominal charge. Most of the battalions were taken to the seaside at Sumner and New Brighton at a reduced rate—thanks to the kindness of the Tramway Board. When it is borne in mind that such a large number of cadets, over 4,000, were in camp for nearly a week, and this without a single case of real sickness or accident, it speaks well of the manner in which their officers looked after their welfare, and from personal observation one cannot but remark that, the officers devoted themselves to the comfort and well-being of their charge, and thanks to the good behaviour of the cadets the matter of the officers' responsibility was reduced to a minimum. . . _ _ ~ While the 3rd Wanganui were in camp they were inspected by the Hon. Mr. <j. I'owids, Minister of Education, in the sports ground of the Exhibition, who at the conclusion of the parade made a suitable address to the battalion. Advantage was taken of this parade to take a cinema_to"■raphic picture in marching, the rifle and firing exercises, and physical drill with arms, concluding with the signalling of the following message to Lord Roberts, V.C. : " From the Weraroa Publicschool Cadets, New Zealand, to Lord Roberts, London.—We feel highly honoured in sending a message to you, and we hope to yet see your Lordship in New Zealand." In order that all the battalions might be enabled to attend the camp within a limited time, it was found necessary at times to have more than one battalion in camp. When this was the case they were formed into a brigade, and a staff appointed accordingly. Each battalion, or brigade, was duly inspected. Owing to the continuance of fine weather scarcely any parades were lost, and all sentries were called in during rain. _ Mr W H Barber, M.H.R., was instrumental in getting the Ist and 2nd Wellington Battalions to attend the camp, and remained with them till their return to Wellington. Unquestionably the visit of the cadets to the camp was in every way beneficial to them, •md their experiences there will ever be remembered. It was an object lesson of great value, affording as it did an opportunity of seeing another part of the colony, together with the arts and manufactures and industries of other countries, and of having a thorough grounding in campHfe T have, <fee., L. W. Loveday, Lieut.-Colonel, Commanding N.Z. Public-school Cadets. The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington.