H.— L 9

22

The issuing and accounting for supplies was undertaken by the Army Service Corps, and the result, compared with previous years, shows a great improvement. , The number of tenders received was not up to the average of previous years. The contracts were well executed and the quality of the supplies was good. 65. Canteens. The dry canteens in the annual Territorial training-camps were arranged regimentally, and it is gratifying to note that no complaints were received. The, canteens, barbers' shops, and. restaurant at Featherston, Tauherenikau, and Papawai Camps were, from the 15th November, 1917, taken over by the Department, and are being carried on as a camp canteen controlled by a Camp Canteen Committee. Goods are obtained in conjunction with the Munitions and Supplies Department. Up to the present the results have been most satisfactory. At Trentham the old method of letting by contract continues, but the question of carrying on the canteen under camp management is being considered. 66. Rations and Forage. The. scales of rations now in force in New Zealand are as follows :—

* Twice weekly in lieu of equivalent amount of fresh moat. t Twice weekly: 5 o_. bacon equivalent to 10 oz. fresh meat. % Dried fruit to consist of prunes, peaches, or evaporated apples. Extras for Men in Cl Camp. Cocoa .. .. .. .. .. 1 oz. Sugar .. .. . . .. .. f oz. Fresh milk or . . .. .. .. • • 1 pint. Condensed milk .. .. .. ■ ■ ts * m - Biscuits (ration) .. .. .. .. As required.

Items. Reinforcements, Mobilized Troops, Eirst-class Prisoners of War. Maoris and Islander Reinforcements. Territorial Camps. Bread or .. Biscuits or Flour .. If lb ..lib ..lib 1| lb 1 lb. 1 lb. l-l-lb. lib. lib. Fresh meat or Preserved meat or .. Fish .. H-lb. ..lib ] I lb. 1 lb. 21b 1-1 lb. lib. Sausages Bacon Choose Coffee Jam .. 8oz.* 5 oz.f .. .: .. 2oz. •• ioz 4 oz. 8 oz.* 5 oz.f 2 oz. j oz. 4 oz. 2 oz. |oz. 4 oz. Fresh milk or Condensed milk .. J pint .. | tin | pint | tin | pint. | tin. Flour Baking-powder .. lfoz. .. 31b. each 1001b. flour issued 1J oz. 31b. each 1001b. flour issued I oz. 31b. each 1001b. flour issued. Oatmeal Onions Fresh vegetables Potatoes .. ,, Salt Sugar Tea Butter Pepper Dried fruitj Rice Currants Tapioca Sago Curry-powder Treacle 1 oz. 4 oz. ,. 8 oz. f lb. (new) .. 1 lb. (old) .. .. | oz. .. 4oz. .. f oz. 4 oz. .. fa oz, 7 oz. .. |- oz. .. foz. t}- OZ. .. i oz. .. rf \oz. 1 oz. weekly, in lieu jam I oz. 4 oz. 8 oz. li lb 2oz. 2oz. i oz. 5 oz. f oz. 3 oz. fa oz. y OZ. f OZ. I OZ. j oz. 1 oz. A oz - 1 oz. weekly, in lieu jam f lb. (new). 1 lb. (old). ±oz. 4 oz. I oz. 4 oz. fa oz.