TYPHOID AT A MILITARY CAMP

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 158, 13 October 1910, Page 8

TYPHOID AT A MILITARY CAMP

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF EN- . QUIRY. Mr. Jennings asked the Minister for Defence recently whether he would inform the House as to the result of the enquiry into typhoid cases amongst Taranaki volunteers. At the encampment at Johnsonville, formed during Lord Kitchener's visit, a number of men contracted fever, which (Mr. Jennings states) caused both expense and inconvenience to them. They asked for medical expenses and loss of wages to be paid, and an enquiry was ordered. In reply, the Minister says: "The report of the Board of Enquiry is as follows: (1) The board is of the opinion, from the evidence submitted, that the men contracted enteric fever whilst engaged on military duty. (2) That the disease was not contracted from the camp water-supply, but from water obtained by the men in the field whilst engaged in the manoeuvres of February 26, 1010. The Officer Commanding the District, in commenting upon the matter, states, inter alia: The camp supply was of good quality, and sufficient for a force twice the size of that in camp. The position of wateringplaces, both for men and horses, was indicated to very O.C. unit on arrival. The 4th Battalion left camp at 5 a.m. and returned not later than 3 p.m., so had water j bottles been filled before leaving camp in the morning; there should have been no necessity to replenish them from any source during the manoeuvres. The recommendation of the Board of Enquiry has received the consideration of the Government."