H.—l9

10

Visiting Officers. During the last week—from the 10th to the 17th March -the camp was visited by a number of officers, comprising the following : District Commandants and their stall's, Brigadiers, Commanding Officers of Units, and others, under the direction of the G.0.C.. New Zealand Defence Forces and the Headquarters Staff. The visiting officers were shown the results of the two months' instruction in every branch, in order that they might see for themselves how instruction should be carried out. Tactical schemes in the field took place on three mornings, under the direction of the G.0.C., of which a separate narrative will be published. Lectures were delivered by the Headquarters and Instructional Staff of the camp, and conferences on various subjects were daily held. It is hoped that visiting officers benefited by the opportunities thus afforded of meeting together from all parts of the Dominion, making the acquaintance of the Headquarters Staff and each other, and discussing many subjects of interest and importance as concerning the Defence Forces in general and themselves in particular. The camp was visited by His Excellency the Governor, the Prime Minister (Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) and by the following Ministers : The Hon. J. Carroll and the Hon. G. Fowlds. Conclusion. .In conclusion, it was noticed that though the native-born of this country pick up field training and manoeuvre very quickly indeed —a fact that is no doubt due to their outdoor life and habits of independence—drill and discipline does not come so easily to them. It is obvious, therefore, that a great deal of attention must be paid to the latter. At this school of instruction, as soon as they had been taught to drill, to skirmish, and to do as they were told, the rest came easily. In England, on the other hand, the soldier picks up drill and discipline quickly, but is slower in learning the principles of modern field training. The camp was struck on the afternoon of the 17th March, and all ranks were despatched to their destinations by the same evening. K. S. Heard, Colonel, Imperial General Staff, Wellington, New Zealand. 20th April, 1911. Camp Commandant. APPENDICES. From the Director, Medical Services, to Colonel Heard, Director of Military Training. Wellington. Re Report from Lieut.-Colonel Bey. New Zealand Defence Forces (Medical Corps), Sir,— Hutt. Wellington, N.Z.. 3rd April, 1911. I have the honour to forward report on the camp of instruction at Featherston received from Lieut.-Colonel Bey at 9 a.m. this day. I agree with the report. The camp was an exceptionally sanitary one in all respects, everything l hat was suggested being carried out willingly and promptly. I would like to put on record that the use of kerosene in the latrine-pans, which was recommended towards the end of January, was a distinct success. ***** I have. &c. James R. Purdy, Colonel. Director Medical Services. N.Z.

Sin, Greytown, 29th March. 1911. I have the honour to furnish you with a short report, on the health of the late camp at Tauherenikau. Details of specific eases and attendances are appended. Previous to the encampment I sent you a report on the site selected, and as to the water-supply, and am glad to note that my recommendations were satisfactorily carried out. The sanitation of the camp was most effective, and I found from frequent inspection of the watersupply, the latrines, and the cooking arrangements that the necessary duties were carefully performed. The milk-supply was from Sadler's, jun., Tauherenikau, the butter from Donald's factory, tinbread and meat from the Featherston baker and butchers, and in each case the quality was good. None of those suppliers, their families or servants, suffered from any sickness or infectious disease. Although there was a considerable amount of sickness, as you will perceive from the numbers of cases attended, none could be traced to imperfect sanitation. The causes, I consider, were attributable to the altered condition of the usual habits, the monotony of diet causing loss of appetite and autoinfaction, and climatic changes. The most important case was one of scarlet-fever, which occurred on the 17th January. On ihe Kith the patient consulted mc for a sore throat. 1 found the left tonsil swollen and inflamed, and a temperature of 102°. On my visit next day there was a slight rash, when I had him immediately removed to the Greytown Hospital. It proved to be a case of scarlet-fever. His fellow-officer was fumigated, and also his tent, with its contents, with sulphur, which was obtained in camp. On my return to Greytown I sent the District Health Officer, who attended at once, and adopted the usual precautions. No other case occurred during the encampment. From the District Health Officer 1 learn that there have been from the beginning of the year to the time the camp broke up only three cases of scarlet-fever in the whole of the South Wairarapa. and none of those had any contact with the camp.