H._l9.

BUILDINGS, WORKS, AND CAMPS. (a) Coast Defence. •" A great deal of new work has been carried out during the year, very largely in connection with coast defences, and there is a considerable amount of new work planned and still to be carried out. (b) Mobilization Gamps. The bulk of the work in mobilization camps at Papakura, Trentham, and Bumbam has consisted of additions to and improvements in connection with accommodation generally, provision of garages and workshops, water-supply, sewerage and drainage, lighting, and surfacing and sealing of roads and parade-grounds. All camps have been maintained up to a reasonable standard. (o) Waiouru Camp. The construction of Waiouru Camp was sufficiently advanced to enable troops to go into occupation in January, 1941. The camp is an excellent one, but requires certain additional work to complete it in all respects. This work is now under consideration. The camp provides accommodation for a considerable number of men. One unit area is completely hutted, while the remainder are tented areas with buildings for messes, stores, &c. In addition there is a Headquarters Area comprising offices, messes, and sleeping-accommodation for the permanent establishment of the camp. The camp is self-contained, provision having been made for a hospital (100 beds), dental hospital, supply depot, Ordnance depot, bakery, butchery., garage and workshops, power-house, &c. (d) Teeeitoeial Camps. Many racecourses and showgrounds have been taken into use from time to time as Territorial Force training camps, involving the carrying-out of certain work. When any of such camps have been vacated, little dismantling has been carried out, but the camps have been left intact for future use. Thanks are due to the racing clubs and show associations for their ready assistance and co-operation. (e) Rifle Ranges. A complete survey of all rifle ranges has been made with a view to effecting any necessary improvements, and any work required will be put in hand. A new rifle range has been provided at Waiouru Camp, and new ranges are now in course of construction at Papakura and Dargaville. Additional rifle ranges are required for the training of the Territorial Force. Certain localities have been selected on the advice of the Inspector-General, and districts will be forwarding detailed proposals from time to time. Negotiations have been entered into with rifle clubs with a view to acquiring by lease or purchase their range facilities, and with the owners of properties on which these ranges arc situated to acquire leases or rights over the land on terms similar to those held by rifle clubs. A grenade range has been completed at Trentham Camp, one is under construction at Burnham, and ranges are planned for Waiouru and Papakura. (/) Magazines. A new magazine has been completed at Burnham Camp, and new magazines for grenades, bombs, and explosives are in the course of construction at Trentham. Consequent upon the large increase in stocks of gun ammunition and in order to provide for large quantities on order, additional magazine accommodation will have to be provided immediately. Proposals in this connection are now under consideration. (g) Drill-halls. No new drill-halls have been provided during the year, but several existing buildings have been taken over for use as such. Drill-halls generally have been maintained up to a reasonable standard. (h) Guaeds at Vital Points. In many cases the accommodation provided in this connection was of a very temporary nature. Many improvements have been carried out during the year, and further work is in hand or planned. (i) Convalescent Depots. Plans have, been completed for convalescent depots in the vicinity of the three mobilization camps, and the work of construction should now commence at an. early date. (j) Detention Barracks. It has been decided to erect a detention barracks at each mobilization camp, such barracks to provide for the requirements of all three Services —Navy, Army, and Air. Plans have been completed, and the work of construction will shortly be started. (&) Ordnance Stores. The increase in work at all depots has thrown a great strain on the accommodation available. One of the new Ordnance buildings at Trentham was completed during the year, and the provision of further accommodation to provide storage for the large quantities of equipment now on order is under consideration. Some relief has been obtained by the lease of a building of 15,000 square feet in the City of Wellington. This building will be used for the examination and storage of cloth and clothing, and for the storage of clothing and blankets to be shipped overseas. Additional storage accommodation is being built at Burnham, and when this is completed some relief to the acute shortage at that depot will be afiorded. The accommodation at the Ordnance Depot, Ngaruawahia, is also fully taxed.

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