THE TRAINING CAMPS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3986, 20 July 1915, Page 5

THE TRAINING CAMPS.

GOOD PROGRESS REPORTED

more self depexdenci-

By I’eli-graph—Special Correspondent WELLINGTON, July 18.

A visit to the new training camps at Rangiotu and Waikaime was made yesterday by the Minister for Defence (lion J. Allen). Tie states that all the men with the exception of the sick are now under convas and that they are taring well, are comfortable, and are doing splendid work. The Trentham (Earl of Liverpool’s Own) are at Rangiotu whilst the Seventh Reinforcements are at Waikaime. All the men except tlio.se at Waikaime have floor hoards for their tents, whilst those at Waikaime art- making them. “I’he men,” said the Minister, “are learning to be more self dependent- and to look out for themselves bv guarding against wet and other discomforts as far as possible. This is part of their necessary training and I am glad to see that the men arc showing so much interest and initiative. I was greatly .struck with this on visiting the Seventh Reinforcements at Waikaime. For instance, they have dug nob only trenches- round their tents but also have dug trenches to take away the surface water. It is very pleasing indeed to see how the oflieors and non-coms, there ar-e setting to work to make the best of things.”

The Eighth Reinforcements’ noncommissioned officers camp fins boon started at Palmerston North. These men have been billeted in hotels during the past, few days, but they will go into the show ground buildings which are very suitable for the purpose. This section, which includes Messrs T .K. I'. Seddon and Downie Stewart AI.PUs, will be given a month's training. The sick men from the new camps, Air Allen states, are making favorable progress. There are no serious cases.‘the one or two serious cases that occurred at Waikanao and Palmerston having improved. The ailments are mostly the measles. There has also been a case of appendicitis.

UNFOUNDED REPORTS

INQUIRIES BY RELATIVES

The officials of the Expeditionary Forces re ord office have been receiving a large number of enquiries from the relatives of soldiers still at tho Front as the result of various statements which have been made: doubtless in good faith by the men who returned by the Willoohra. Some of these statements have already been investigated by cable and have been proved to be incorrect.

Captain Ronald Simson, of the New Zealand Field Engineers, who was one of the wounded to return to New Zealand* on tho Willoohra, left on a visit to relatives yesterday in Auckland by the Alain Trunk express. Captain Simson states that as an officer of the British section of tho New Zealand Expeditionary Force he will be pleased to communicate with parents or other members of the British section any information ho possesses with regard to their boys at the Dardanelles. For a week or so letters for Captain Simson may be addressed care of the Defence Department, Auckland, and after that cure of the Defence Department, AVellington.