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blankets were given during the summer, but with the cold weather three were supplied. For mattresses one truss of straw is issued to every eight men. Until recently the men had either to use the straw loose for bedding or to purchase a scrim palliasse-cover at a cost of 2s. from the camp canteen. Now the palliasse-covers are supplied free. With the first issue of equipment there was issued as clothing a suit of denims for rough camp work, a greatcoat, hat, shirt, undershirt, drawers, one jersey, two pairs of socks, and one pair of boots, as well as towels and food utensils. Within a few days after arrival a suit of khaki should be issued. A second pair of boots, with other equipment, was issued shortly before embarkation, but early in June provision was made for the earlier issue of the second pair of boots, a matter which we will deal with later. It was contemplated that the men would retain as a dry change the clothes and boots they wore on coming into camp, in addition to the camp outfit, and they were at liberty to purchase further underclothing or boots at the camp canteen. The camp canteen was a private enterprise within the limits of the camp, but with restrictions as to the prices to be charged. To receive their outfit the detachment is paraded at the Quartermaster's store, and each man had not only to have his equipment served out to him to suit his size, but he had to check and sign for each article that he had received. It is obvious, especially with large numbers arriving at once, that considerable delay would be experienced before all the men could be served. If the hour of arrival at camp was late, each man was at least served with his straw and blankets and immediate essentials, the rest of the issue being deferred to the following morning. On occasions the particular size of clothes or boots might be exhausted before all were served, or might not be in stock, and delay would follow in that case. Description of Camp. 31. The camp is about eighteen miles from Wellington, where the headquarters, the military stores, and. the Wellington Hospital are situated. It is near to the railway, which has extensive sidings laid down for dealing with the special traffic to the adjacent racecourse, with a special siding now laid into the camp. It is close to the Hutt River, which is available for the bathing of the troops. In area the camp is 1,260 acres, of which about 400 acres are flat land, almost all available for camp and drilling purposes, only a small portion being swampy and unsuitable. The balance of 860 acres is hilly and broken, but of great service for military exercises. In addition to this area the military authorities have had the use for camp purposes of about 100 acres of the lands owned by the Wellington. Racing Club, as well as the centre of the racecourse. It is not suggested that the area mentioned is sufficient to allow of marching or military manoeuvres, as many square miles are required for that purpose. The use of extra land has, however, been granted by the good will of the neighbouring owners, who have without any material exception given every facility to the Department. The site of the camp, according to the report of the Director of Geological Survey, " has a gentle slope of about 20 ft. to the mile towards the Heretaunga Stream " (which flows into the Hutt River). " Much of the original surface is characterized by small bumps and hollows, probably the result of the former growth of trees. The surface soil is very shallow, say, 6 in. or less, and may be called a stony or gravelly loam. . . . Clay is not excessive in amount. Southward towards the Heretaunga Stream is a low-lying strip, flooded at the time of my visit; part of this may well be of a swampy character. The soil at the present time is of a fairly permeable character, but as it is shallow the nature of the subsoil is of much more importance." Owing to traffic, " the original permeability of the soil has been lessened. The camp subsoil consists mainly of river-gravel, the first 2 ft. or 3 ft. containing a crood deal of clay, together with some oxide of iron . . . these materials being produced by the partial decomposition of the stones forming the gravel. Thus the upper portion of the subsoil to some extent approaches the condition of hard pan, but that name can hardly be fairly applied to it, for it still admits of considerable percolation through

Relative situation

Physical features, nature of soil, cfee.