11

A.—l

Prisoners: There is one military prisoner and twelve civilian prisoners, of whom twelve are Germans and one Swiss. Committees : There are none. Sleeping-accommodation : The sleeping-accommodation was about, the same as indicated in my report, of the 18th September, 1915, with my despatch dated the 18th September, 1915, save improvements by way of ventilation, better light, and a few other minor improvements bringing the accommodation well up to date. Sanitary arrangements : Same as indicated in my report of the 18th September, 1.915, with my despatch dated the 18th September, 1915. Infirmary : The New Zealand Medical Officer who is stationed with the New Zealand Royal Artillery Forces at the barracks attends to the prisoners, and it is understood that when it is necessary they will be sent to the Auckland Hospital for treatment. Kitchen : The food is the same as supplied to Royal New Zealand Artillery troops mobilized in fixed defences. There is a soldier-cook assisted by a Gorman prisoner. Work : The prisoners are expected to keep their quarters clean and to assist some about cooking. Three are employed about the barracks a portion of the time, when they receive 3s. a day for their services. These men also do odd jobs for outside people, in the way of making pieces of furniture, &c. Exercise: The prisoners have the liberty of the enclosures surrounding the barracks, and are allowed to go out in the boats near the barracks for fishing, &c. Wants by camp : No complaints or requests were made by any of the prisoners with whom I conversed, although I let it be known that 1 wished to hear from any if they had any statement to make. Observations : Everything seemed quite satisfactory about the barracks, and the prisoners as contented as could be expected under the circumstances. They seemed to appreciate the treatment they received at the hands of the Camp Commandant, Captain W. Q. Kewish. Alfred A. Winslow, American Consul-General. Second Report on Military Camp, by Alfred A. Winslow, American Consul-General, Auckland, New Zealand. Somes Island. —This island covers about 40 acres, and is located in the Wellington Harbour, about live miles from the city. The island is about 150 ft. high, witli the buildings located at the top. Date of visit: 6th April, 1916. Direction: Commanding Officer Military District, Lieut.-Colonel Pilkington, AdjutantGeneral; Commanding Officer Internment Camp, Major D. Matheson. Prisoners: There were 215 Germans, 20 Austrians, 1 Hungarian, I Turk, 2 Bulgarians, 1 American, and 6 naturalized subjects of other countries, of winch 94- were military prisoners and 152 civilian prisoners; besides, there is 1 prisoner of war an inmate of the mental hospital, who is a civilian German who comes under the jurisdiction of the camp. Committees : There is the same arrangement so far as committees are concerned as indicated in my report of the 25th August, 1915, with my despatch dated the 18th September, 1915, which seems to work out very satisfactorily. Sleeping-accommodation : The sleeping-accommodations are practically the same as indicated in my report, of the 25th August, 1915, with my despatch dated the 18th September, 1915, save more are placed in the rooms, leaving the total average air-space per man at about 667 cubic feet, which seems to be very satisfactory, since no complaints were made along this line. Sanitary arrangements : The sanitary arrangements were the same as indicated in my report of the 25th August, 1915, with my despatch dated the 18th September, 1915, which seems to be entirely satisfactory, since there were no complaints whatever made in regard to sanitary conditions. There were a few prisoners who were suffering some from rheumatism and chronic ailments, but there were none bedridden or seriously ill, save one who was in the hospital over in the city. One death was reported to have taken place in the camp since my last visit on the 25th August, 1915, caused by heart-failure as reported, and I am informed that there has been no illness directly traceable to camp conditions during the time. Infirmary : The same arrangements existed as indicated in my report of the 25th August, 1915, with my despatch dated the 18th September, 1915, which seemed satisfactory. Kitchen : The same kitchen equipment was in service as indicated in my report of the 25th August, 1915, with my despatch dated the 18th September, J 915. When I visited the kitchen, dinner was in process of cooking, and everything seemed to be in first-class condition, and the room was very tidy and the food seemed fresh. No complaint was made in regard to provisions in any way. Work : From time to time such, prisoners as desire are given employment when there is anything to do, under the direction of the guards, and are paid 3s. a day. At the time of my visit there were seventy employed, of whom sixty-eight were working on the construction of additional accommodation for the prison guards, and two were employed as cooks in the cookhouse. Quite a number of the prisoners employ and amuse themselves by manufacturing fancy boxes, walking-sticks, models of ships, cribbage-boards, canvas shoes, fancy ornaments, &c. These they sell from time to time and use the money for luxuries or anything they wish to buy. Also, some of the prisoners keep some chickens, and others do a little gardening.