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Mobilization Camps. As a result of the decision to send overseas a New Zealand Expeditionary Force preparations were immediately made for the erection of hutted camps at the mobilization centres in each military districts—viz., at Papakura, Trent-ham, and Burnham. Tented camps were established at Ngaruawahia, Waiouru, Trentham, Burnham, and later at Palmerston North (for the Maori Battalion) to accommodate the troops while the hutted camps were being erected. The rapid erection of the hutted camps represents a magnificent effort on the part of the Public Works Department, the contractors, and their workmen, all of whom rose to the emergency with a most commendable spirit of keenness and an obvious desire to produce their best and fastest work. The result was that at Burnham and Papakura there were built, in what must have been record time, camps that are probably second to none in the Empire in their provision for the comfort and health of the troops, and in their layout and completeness. At Trentham the situation was complicated by the fact that it was necessary to adapt the existing hutted camp to modern requirements and to provide additional huts in a limited space. Also, owing to lack of space, ordnance stores and equipment had been stored in living huts and these had to be transferred as the accommodation in the new stores became available. However, these difficulties have been gradually overcome, and the building programme at this camp also is practically completed. To sum up, there was built within seven months of the commencement of the war three mobilization camps providing a total accommodation for approximately 7,000 men, and each having iti addition to the normal camp services— Picture-theatre : Post-office : Library : Institutes (Y.M.C.A., Church Army, Salvation Army, &c.) : Wet and dry canteens : Shopping block : Hot and cold showers, drying-rooms, laundry, &c. : Hospital (including contagious-diseases hospital) : Dental hospital : Tar-sealed roads and adequate drainage. Army and District Schools. These are located at Narrow Neck, Trentham, and Burnham, and since the outbreak of war have been used primarily for the training of officers, N.C.O.s, and specialists for the Expeditionary Force. The existing buildings have been amplified and improved, and there is now accommodation and training facilities at the schools for a total of 1,730 all ranks. Ordnance Workshops. Owing to urgent requirements in other directions it was decided to continue using the present ordnance workshops, but to make provision for motor-transport workshops in the three mobilization camps. The number of Army motor-vehicles is now approaching 700, and not only does the maintenance and repair of those vehicles require up-to-date workshops, but the housing of them—especially in the winter months—is essential to prevent deterioration. Suitable garage accommodation is therefore being erected in each of the mobilization camps. Drill Halls, etc. Owing to the more urgent requirements of the mobilization camps and fortress defences only the most urgent work in connection with drill-halls, offices, &c., is being carried out. Accommodation for Vital Point Guards. Owing to the posting of guards at vital points and the establishment of coast-watching stations throughout the country, it was - necessary to make immediate, and in some cases, temporary arrangements for their accommodation. Many of these posts are in isolated positions, and adequate accommodation and rationing presented some difficult problems. These problems have been gradually overcome, and steps have been taken to improve or replace all summer quarters. The position now is that these guards have quarters that will be reasonably comfortable in all seasons. Canvas Training Camps. For temporary accommodation and for field training canvas camps were established at Waiouru, Ngaruawahia, and Cave. At Waiouru, cookhouses, ablution houses, latrines, store-rooms, &c., were erected, and certain main-camp roads were laid down and tar-sealed. This camp area provides the only artillery and field firing-range in the North Island, and if the training of the Territorial Force is to be increased more key buildings will be required. The camp is at present vacant, but will be brought into use again in the spring.

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