Trentham Camp

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 June 1915, Page 3

Trentham Camp

GRAVE CHARGES OF MALADMINISTRATION. From (persistent rumours says the Wellington correspondent of the Christcharch Star floating round the city it ia an open secret that all is not well at Trentham Oamp, and it is stated that -when Parliament opens to-day members will hare some pertinent questions to ask Government regarding t"he treatment of soldiers in our big military concentration ground.

The situation of the camp at Trentham has come in for adverse criticism from many quarters before now, but since {lie outbreak of measles among the men quartered there, comment has widened and become more outspoken.

, There is prevailing dampness about Trentham that seriously detracts from' its value as a camping ground. The presence of swampy 6oil contributes to these moist conditions and according to the casual talk of soldiers one meets with' in Wellington, the oamp is a sea of mud and slush which gives off an ovil-smelling odour. Every "morning there is a mist, and as the men turn out a fusillade of coughing runs up and down the lines. The huts and fents,too, are by no means places of luxury of nights, and as one recruits puts it, "the sounds of coughing reminds you of a consumptive sanatorium." The outcome of the damp situation of the camp is tliat well over 200 cases of measles are now under the care of the medical corps. Complaints are numerous concerning the treatment of patients, and it is alleged that the hospital accomodation is most inadequate. Patients have been placed m marquees where, owing to an insufficient "supply of stretchers, men have been compelled to lie on a little straw strewn on the ground. It is also asserted that there was an insufficient supply of food for the patients. Ample accommodation, however, has since been provided.

Serious statements have been made to the effect that patients have not been isolated properly, and that the staffing of the hospital is inadequate. Many members of the ambulance are often left in charge of men seriously ill with measles. There is an even more grave allegation made against the medical supervision of the camp. It is stated that on'an average one man is sent flaily to the General Hospital in Wellington with his health permanently ruined. There are many complaints about the quality of food that is being served out to the recruits. The 6oldiere say there is plenty of it, but it is badTy cooked and served out. There- is little variety and the men are driven to the canteens to supplement the monotonous meals of very poor stew in the morning and bread and jam at midday. The canteens, too, could b'e run on better lines if they were subjected tjo auopd direct control. The water supply is aleo bad. A strict censorship has been exercised over officers at Trentham, and in the shadow of secrecy abuses have grown up that call for immediate remedial measures. The question is one for Parliament to consider. Trentham camp will be but one aspect of the military situation on which the parliamentary searchlights will be trimcd. Affaire in connection with the Samoan garrison will come in for some criticism, as well as a serious charge against the overcrowding of a transport which recently left these shores. The Hi ni oil it), no doubt, are much exaggerated, but there is something at the back of the remark a soldier on leave laconically addressed to me. He said "War is hell—at Trentham." Christehurch Star.