THE VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2615, 16 April 1889, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT.

(by telegraph.—own correspondent.) Auckland, Monday. Considerable discontent prevails among volunteers, on the ground that ninepence per day at which tho catering is contracted for cannot, in their opinion, possibly be adequate to give them three good square meals daily. The Star devotes a column to elucidating the point. A reporter interviewed Captain Kohn on the subject, wh«n the following dialogue ensued: — Capt. Kohn : Yew, we accepted a tender for 9d per day. There were three tenders, one !)d, another and a third 9 ir>-16th, all from Hamilton, and we accepted the lowest. It we had accepted an Auckland tender we would probably have had to pay Is or Is 3d per head. Reporter : Why? Capt. Kohn: Because of the cost of conveyance. Reporter: And what do you expect for 9d? Capt. Knhn : We expect ljlbs of meat, lijlbs potatoes, bread, 2ozs. butter, 3i).':s. sugar, half a pint of milk, of vegetables, and ioz, of each, pepper, mustard and salt. Reporter : Can it be done at the price 1 Captain Kohn : Oh ! 1 think so. You see the Hamilton people supply milk, potatoes, firewood, forage, and other rations, but for that the tender vvou Iα have been about Is Gd. Reporter ; What tor rations ! That's not so cheap as the tender quotations. How much are the milk and potatoes to be supplied free worth ? Captain Kohn : About 3d per man per day. Reporter : Really ? Captain Kohn : Yes, and the fodder for 100 horses is a big item. The rations at Takapunacost Is 3d per day, and the men had to pay for firewood out of that. Reporter; And you believe tho men can be well fed for 3d a me.il ? Captain Kohn : Oh ! Yes, we have reckoned «p, and we find that they could be supplied in town at tenponce. Reportor : What about the officer's table? Captain Kohn : They provide their own supplies, but wo have not accepted any tender yet.