DEFENCE ECONOMIES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3158, 9 August 1917, Page 8

DEFENCE ECONOMIES

UTILISING WASTE PRODUCTS THE CAMP SERVICES Some of the economics (hat have been effected by the Defence Depaxtnicnt during the last twelve months, iri consequence of experience acquired during-the earlier stages of the war, are mentioned in the annual report of the Qnarter-master-Gcneral. The total saving amounts' to many thousands of pounds. A boot-repair shop was started in January last, and a staff of nine men employed, who repair an average of four hundred pairs weekly. The result has proved most satisfactory both financially and as regards the quality of work. Since starting this shop the price of all materials has considerably increased, the price of leather alone having advanced by Gd. a, pound, while the cost of other articles has increased proportionately. Nevertheless first-class materials only have been used for repairs, and the cost of half-soling and heeling boots—after allowing for wages, maintenance, depreciation of material and machinery—has been reduced by 10d. per pair as compared with the lowest quotation submitted in December, 191 C. In addition, the Department has the satisfactory knowledge that all materials used are of tho best quality, and that the boots are thoroughly repaired by expert tradesmen. The total number of boots repaired to .April 30 -was four thousand pairs, thus effecting a saving of <£16G 13s. 4d., equal to an annual economy of ,£SOO. In October, 1916, regulations were iutroduced controlling the return of all empty tired brass cartridge-cases, and during a. period of six months tho amount realised under, the contract for the sale of these cartridge-cases was ,£1671 18s. lid., ■which sum has been paid into the Public Account. This amount is in respect of cartridge-eases received from, Expeditionary Force camps only. When the whole of the fired cartridge-cas'e'3'havo been collected and sold it is estimated that approximately =65000 will be realised during the twelve months. Instructions have been issued and'brought into operation relative to the return of worn-out garments, cordage, canvas, «scrim, shakings, etc., -no matter, how valueless they appeared. These liave realised no less n, sum than JJSOS Itls. 3d. This, added to .£1671 ISs. I If, realised for fired cart-ridge-cases, gives a total sum realised and paid into the Public Account of .£2477 9s. Sd. During tho year a. large number of part-worn garments of aJI descriptions, v received from camps, have been sorted out, and those considered fit for repair placed aside. A contract was arranged for the sterilisation and renovation of this clothing, which, when received from the contactor after sterilisation, washing, and renovation, was almost as good as new, and us issued to home-service soldiers and TeritonaJs, thus materially reducing the cost of equipping. Army Service Corps bakeries have been established at Trenthani and Featherston Camps, and for the past twelve months the whole of the bread repniroments for these two camps, averaging GOOOIb, and 70001b. respectively daily, has been turned out at an average cost of G.Ood. per ■lib. A more up-to-dato bakery is in course of erection at Trenthani Camp, and when complete will further decrease the cost of bread production by approximately i.'l-100 per annum-.

• Large quantities of condensed milk, bacon, preserved meal, jam, peas, beans, cheese, flour, sugar, and butter for the use of the -lXew Zealand Expeditionary Force in the United Kingdom are sent monthly or as transport* are available, and as .theso supplies can be lauded ei transports at a much less cost than by purchase in England, it. thus materially, decreases the cost of maintenance of the New Zealand Expeditionary .Forces in England.