BILLETING SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 663, 23 October 1902, Page 21

BILLETING SOLDIERS.

This form of tax on Old Country ho'telkeepers, and one which so far colonials in the same line of business are no! subjected to, is commented upon as follows in the London ‘ L.V. Gazette —‘‘ The hardship imposed upon the licented victuallers of Winchester by the billeting of soldiery and horses upon them has increaesed to such an extent lately that the Winchester City Council has been induced to take action in the matter, and to make representations to the War Office upon the subject. The question was raised at the last meeting or the City Council by Mr Forder, who moved : ‘ 'Chat the attention of the War Office be directed to the billeting in the city of soldiers on the march, and that a small deputation from the : council be appointed to urge the desirability .of.establishing a rest camp near the city.’ He pointed out that the matter was one of greai importance, and required the attention of the council. In 1898 there were 570 men and 560 horses billeted in the city p. in 1901 there were 1561 men and 1340 horses ; while , this year, up to the end of; July only, there had been 1463 men. and 1320 horses. The chief reason of the increase was the position which Winchester occupied between the old training ground ait Aidershot and the new camp on Salisbury Plain. Representations were made to the War Office last year on the subject; but the only result had been that the numbers for- little more than a half year were nearly equal to the total last year. It was not a question of profit to the town. He knew that on the billeting of four horses, there was a loss of sixpence to the licensed victualler. It had been stateci unofficially that the IVar Office were desirous of establishing a rest camp near the city, but they had heard of one great difficulty, and if the council could help them out of it they should do so. Mr Salter (who is chairman of the Winchester Licensed Viced by the Society) seconded the motion. He said that the matter had been discussed by the societyt for the past eighteen months, and if the council could send up a small deputation, which Mr Brodrick had consented to receive in the autumn. It was a very great hardship, and was telling severely on the trade of the town. Salisbury Plain was only in its infancy, and if the billeting of soldiers .continued to increase it would! mean a heavier burden than ever on a special class of trader. It was mentioned that the great difficulty in finding a rest , camp would be that of water supply. Eventually a resolution was passed, the mayor and two members of the council being appointed the deputation.