9

H.—l9

The disposal of the ninety-two warrant officers and non-commissioned officers of the New Zealand Permanent Staff who have, been retained on duty in New Zealand is as follows : Employed at General Headquarters . . .. .. .. .. 4 Employed in districts, groups, and areas .. .. .. .. .. 51 Employed in Expeditionary Force training-camps .. .. .. .. 37 92 The status of those who have been retained in New Zealand is as under :— Unfit for active service . . .. .. .. .. .. 25 Fit for active service but Second Division (not yet called up) .. 64 Fit and under orders to embark .. .. . . .. .. .. 3 92 Eight warrant officers and Staff sergeants-major have been granted honorary commissioned rank, and thirty-six have been granted temporary commissioned rank (fifteen in New Zealand and twentyone in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force). 24. New Zealand Medical Services. There have been, sufficient Medical Officers for duty in the Expeditionary Force camps, and sufficient have come forward to meet the demands required for the Expeditionary Forces overseas and Recruiting Medical Boards. As regards the Territorial Camps, the same difficulty has been experienced as last year in finding sufficient whole-time Medical Officers for these camps, but arrangements were made with the local Sanitary Inspectors to co-operate with the Defence Department as regards the sanitary condition of the various camps and surroundings. Awapuni Camp continues to train the New Zealand Medical Corps reinforcements and Territorial Medical units, with the result that a high standard of efficiency is maintained. The camp has lately been supplied with the field water-testing apparatus ; the latest stretcher drill has also been introduced. The Expeditionary Force camps are equipped with up-to-date hospitals for general and infectious diseases. The inhaling-room established in camps for the prevention of ccrebro-spinal meningitis, influenza, and sore throats has proved very satisfactory, the result being that there has been less sickness in the camps last year than in any previous year. Segregation camps have been established at Tauherenikau for recruits coming into camp during tho winter months, to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Swabbing of throats of all men coming into camp and before embarkation is being carried out with a view to detecting cerebro-spinal meningitis carriers, with tho result that there is practically no infection. The health of the troops has been very satisfactory. Medical Stores. Tho supplies of drugs and equipment, &c, for use in the various hospitals have been maintained throughout the year with little difficulty, taking into consideration the shortage of supplies on the market. The operations of the store have been most satisfactory, and an appreciable reduction in expenditure, as shown hereunder, has been effected. The saving is primarily due to having good stocks on hand at the termination of the last period, and also to obtaining supplies from the United Kingdom and not being wholly dependent upon the local market. Period 1916-17:— , , , , f 8. d. i c. d. Stock on hand .. .. .. .. .. .. 500 0 0 Purchases of drugs, &c, during period .. .. .. 18,764 0 0 Drugs and equipment issued. . .. .. .. 16,764 0 0 Stocks on hand at end of period . . .. .. 2,500 0 0 £19,264 0 0 £19,264 0 0 Working-expenses for period (pay, clothing, &c), £1,200. Period 1917-18:— ~ , , , t s. a. t s. d. Stock on hand .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,500 0 0 Purchases of drugs,.&c, during period .. .. .. 10,184 11 3 Drugs and equipment issued. . .. .. .. 7,576 3 0 Stocks on hand at end of period . . .. .. 5,108 8 3 £12,684 11 3 £12,684 11 3 Working-expenses for period (pay, clothing, &c), £1,500.

2—H. 19