FEATHERSTON CAMP.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1916, Page 8

FEATHERSTON CAMP.

VISITED BY DR. TRACKER. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Feb. 1(1. Dr. Thacker, M.l\. paid a visit to Fcathorston camp yesterday [or the purpose of making nn inspection of the new quarters. He was accompanied bv .Mr. J. Payne, M.P., and Mr. C. 11. (i'ilby, of Christehureh, and the party examined the camp thoroughly.

"We went as critics." said the member for Ohristcluivcli East. "The public mind lias been disturbed, naturally, by the recent epidemic of sickness at J'VntheiYitnii camp, and in'view of the trouble that, occurred at Trentham parents and friends of the soldiers have been anxious about the conditions. If we had found anything to complain about we would have been ready to ventilate it, but I have the pleasure of returning from a. surprise visit blessing instead of cursing. "Trentham camp, in its present improved condition, is a bad second to I'eatberston. This new camp is a revelation in up-to-date methods. I would call it a super-camp. Our impressions should give confidence to all who have friends among the soldiers there.'' 'Dr. Thaeker described the equipment of the camp, and made particular mention of the sanitary arrangements, which he regarded as almost perfect. The only improvement he had to suggest was'the use of water carts in the streets of the camp, in order that the movement of dust might be prevented. Tie believed that (lust had an important bearing upon the recent outbreak of gastric-enteritis. Another possible source of the trouble was the use of water which' had passed through/ new .galvanised water pipes having jute linffisr. The pipes might not have been sufficiently flushed before the troops took possession of the cnmvi. Dr. Thnckcr mentioned the need of watcrcarfs to the Minister of Defence, who was at the camp yesterday, and was told in reply that they had already bcMi ordered.

'•The camp hospital contain.-; i>7 men, sonic suffering from iiilluon/.a, others from the effects of accidents, and many quite convalescent," added Dr. Thacl;er. "It could hold 300 patients. We visited the canteen, which is clean, well rim mid well furnished, while the prices charged are reasonable. The camp has a tent section connected with the main water and drainage systems. The tents are not overcrowded. All the men dine in separate mess-rooms apart from the hutments, and there is an ample supply of hot water for washing-up purposes. A splendid system of hot and cold showers lias been provided. The hutments are provided with drying rooms containing stoves. Each non-commissioned officer has his own room, and the whole place is lighted with electricity. "Evidently the master mind of Surgeon-General Henderson ha? been at work. ■ The present head of the medical hraneh has brought to Now Zealand the most up-to-date methods from the English and French camps. Featherston shows evidence of heing the lest camu ,of its sag in the worl<y'