17

H.—l9

65. Equipment of Hospitals. In addition to equipping hospitals in camps, equipment has also been supplied to the following hospitals and convalescent homes: Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer; King George V Hospital, Rotorua; To Wa.ikato Sanatorium; Infectious Hospital, Port Chalmers; bowry Bay Convalescent Home. A new pattern bed-cot with six legs has been introduced, which is found to bo more stable and durable than the previous issue. 66. Ordnance Workshops. An ordnance workshop has been established at Trentham Camp, where the whole of the musketry equipment for the Dominion is standardized, thus reducing the cost of production. This workshop will shortly be able to manufacture the whole of our wood requirements for the Dominion. The armament workshop at Mount Cook Barracks is also utilized as an ordnance workshop. 67. Transport. As the system of cartage by private contract was not altogether satisfactory, it was decided to provide Defence transport. This new arrangement, which was commenced in September, 1916, has proved most successful, and after providing for wages, maintenance, and depreciation a large saving has been effected. 68. Rut inning. During a recent visit to Auckland the Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores discussed with Professor Worlev the question of retinning, and explained a method of returning utensils adopted by the Natives of India. Professor Worley entered heartily into the proposition, and has completed his first experiments, the result of which has exceeded all expectations. Endeavours arc now being made to procure a sufficient supply -of the necessary ingredients to enable a method of retinning, based on these experiments, to be adopted. 69. Washino and Laundry-work in connection with Camps and Hospitals. Fresh contracts were let for the laundry-work in connection with the camps and hospitals, with the result that a, saving of £614 is shown as compared with the rates previously paid. 70. Rennovation and Sterilization of Part-worn Garments. During the year a large number of part-worn garments of all descriptions, received from camps, have been sorted out, and those considered fat for repair placed aside. A contract was arranged for the sterilization and renovation of this clothing. The following table shows— (a) Articles of clothing included in contract; (b) contract prices for sterilization and renovation; (c) issue prices when new. v ' s. d. £ s. d. Greatcoats ... ... ... ... ... 7 0 2 5 0 "... 7 0 2 2 6 Jackets ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 2 16 0 Trousers ... ... ... ... ... 4 8 0 15 0 Towels ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 1 0 1 0 Puggarees ... ... ... ... ... 0 H 0 10 Puttees (pair) ... ... ... ... ... 0 3" 0 6 0 Blankets (each) ... ... ... ... ... 0 6 0 11 0 .Kit-bags ... ... ... ... ... 0 3 0 4 0 This clothing when received from the contractor after sterilization, washing, and renovation is almost as good as new, and is issued to home-service soldiers and Territorials, thus materially reducing the cost of equipping. 71. Waste Products. In October, 1916, regulations were introduced controlling the return of all empty fired brass cartridge-cases, and during a period of six months the amount realized under the contract for the sale of these cartridge-cases was £1,671 18s. lid., which sum has been paid into the Public Account. This amount is in respect of cartridge-oases received from Expeditionary Force camps only. When the whole of the fired cartridge-cases have been collected and sold it is estimated that approximately £5,000 will be realized during the twelve months. Instructions have been issued and brought into operation relative to the return of worn-out garments, cordage, canvas, scrim, shakings, &c, no matter how valueless they appeared. These have realized no less a sum than £805 10s. 9d. This, added to £1,671 18s. lid., realized for fired cartridge-oases, gives a total sum realized and paid into the Public Account of £2,477 9s. Bd. 72. Store Buildings. The erection of the new store was completed in August, 1916, one-half of the ground floor being allotted to medical stores and the other portion for boots, the remaining floors for uniform clothing. This building met our requirements for a few weeks, but the completion of the 1916 contracts again congested the stores to such an extent that accommodation for between eight hundred and nine hundred cases and bales had to be obtained in " X " shed of the Harbour Board. With the deliveries in connection with the 1917 contracts further storage accommodation is necessary. During the year the whole of the buildings have been fitted with automatic firedetectors, new hydrants erected, and direct communication with fire-brigade station established.

B—H. 19.