THE REINFORCEMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2410, 16 March 1915, Page 6

THE REINFORCEMENTS

EVERYTHING PROCEEDING SMOOTHLY STATEMENT BY HON. J. ALIEN , (By Weerash.—Tteee Association.) Auckland, March 15. 1 The organisation of reinforcements for the New Zealand - Expeditionary Force is proceeding smoothly, and' in. discussing the matter this evening tho Minister of Defence expressed his complete satisfaction with the progress of the scheme. : "Recruiting is quite •' satisfactory," said Mr. Allen. "The new system of enrolling volunteers by means of registration cards is working very well. It was thought that'there might be some difficulty in . obtaining horses for tho mounted infantry but there has not been any difficulty in securing sufficient. horses to meet the requirements of the Forces, and though those provided for tho main force were quite satisfactory, the Remount- Department obtaining animals of even higher standard." . ' • The Third Contingent for the reinforcement of the New Zealand forces was dispatchcd'some time ago. "Wo have news about this force which generally is quite satisfactory." said Mr. Allen. "There was, of course, the unfortunate illness of Major Peacock, who, contracted enteric fever, and had to be left behind at the first port of call. We have also been advised that a member of tho Native Contingent has died. Then some members of the Force had been brought back by a returning transport, and they will be brought before a court-martial to explain why they wore loft behind at a port of call. , "The system of sending a reinforcement contingent every two months will be continued until the end of the war," said the Minister./ "There are now two contingents in training at Trentham, and the present scheme of training two drafts, one witjb two months' start of the other, will be continued. A longer period of training is now being given to each draft than formerly, and officers and non-commissioned officers are receiving more than the men. Those for tho sixth reinforcement are already in camp, and tho men that contingent will be assembled in about a" month." In preparation for .winter months permanent accommodation is to be provided at Trentham. Mr. Allen said the tents which had beeii in use since the camp was established wero becoming worn, and could be replaced only at considerable cost and difficulty. A sample hut for officers and another for men had been erected, and these were inspected by him on Saturday. Somealterations m the original design were considered necessary, and when .these had been determined specifications would' be ■ carefully prepared, and a contract would be let'for the erection of huts to accommodate 4000 officers and men. A.complete system of'drainage, was being.' installed, and generally tho camp was beingi made 'cpmfortable for the more' severe conditions of , ■winter. ;, ■ .Referring to the scheme for the erection of a hospital at Trentham, Mr. Allen-said.,that plans had been prepared but had not yet been finally approved, as he had referred them to a board for report. It would contain 16 or 18 beds, and a staff of three or four nurses would be appointed. Mr. Allen said sufficient funds, had already, he believed, been subscribed to cover the .whole cost of erecting and equipping the hospital. --. Many people were anxious to contribute towards its equipment, and in order that their assistance may be usefully employed, he had asked for details .of the equipment necessary for the'institution. As soon as he received the report, he would make the information public.