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Medical Services The general health of the Army has been maintained at a good standard. During the year the average sick-rate per thousand per day in New Zealand was 29-4 and the hospital admission rate was 1-5. For the final months during which troops were in Japan the general health there was very good and the sick-rate was much lower than average. At present medical officers on the staffs of Army H.Q., Wellington, and the district H.Q.s are serving on a part-time basis. The services of private medical practitioners are engaged as required for the inspection and treatment of serving soldiers. The strength of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service is at present 10 Sisters and 6 V.A.D.s. Two Sisters and 1 V.A.D. are seconded to Royal New Zealand Navy, and 6 Sisters are seconded to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Matron-in-Chief continues to serve on the staff of Army H.Q. in a part-time capacity. Hygiene and sanitation in camps remains good. A Hygiene Wing has been established at Army School, and selected personnel from all three Armed Services receive instruction there. Medical stores have been brought up to date, and all over-age and perishable stores have been replaced. Efforts are being made to standardize equipment for all three Services. During the year the visual assessments of recruits and the provision of visual services to serving personnel (Army, Navy, and Air) has continued to be carried out by civilian opticians. This procedure has continued to prove satisfactory and an adequate service has been provided. Ordnance Service All ordnance establishments have been fully occupied consolidating and maintaining stocks. The redistribution of equipment to ensure that balanced stocks required both for training and mobilization are held in all districts has not progressed as well as anticipated owing to lack of accommodation at ordnance depots and the difficulty experienced in moving heavy equipment either by rail or sea. The storage problem has been aggravated by the relinquishment of 86,000 square feet of storage space at Seaview to assist the urgent requirements of other Government Departments. During the period under review 730 vehicles, including 356 carriers, were disposed of through War Assets Realization Board. The main items of other stores disposed of through War Assets Realization Board consisted of large quantities of clothing and truck tires. Details of stores received and value of requisitions and orders placed overseas and in New Zealand during the year are as under : Value of requisitions on — £ United Kingdom .. .. .. .. 79,088 Australia .. .. .. .. .. 2,924 Value of receipts exUnited Kingdom , , .. .. .. 22,239 Australia .. .. .. .. 2,785 8.C.0.F. .. .. .. .. .. 133,307 Value of Orders in New Zealand--Placed. inc. ived. Outstanding. £ £ £ Clothing.. .. .. 56,733 35,481 57,031 General stores .. .. 75,609 74,303 33,359 At all depots shortage of staff has curtailed a full programme of maintenance and preservation of much valuable equipment,

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