Page image
Page image

H.—l9

School of Artillery. Courses of instruction in artillery subjects were formerly undertaken by the Army School. With the very considerable expansion in artillery of all natures it was no longer possible to carry out this instruction as a wing of this school. In consequence a school of artillery has been opened with three wings—field, anti-aircraft, and coast artillery. Anti-aircraft Artillery. Until recently New Zealand was very deficient in anti-aircraft artillery, and in consequence there •aite no officers available thoroughly conversant with this type of artillery. Arrangements have therefore been made for the loan from the British Army of officers and N.C.O.s not only to command, but to give instruction in this important type of artillery. Personnel. Arrangements are proceeding to make considerable use of Home Guard personnel and women for many of the duties connected with manning of guns and anti-aircraft artillery. This procedure, which applies, of course, only to static artillery, is in line with what is being done in the United Kingdom. Mapping and Survey. A long-term programme of mapping had been embarked upon before the outbreak of war, but it was obvious with the increasing threat to New Zealand that this programme was not adequate. With the comparatively limited resources available, the Lands and Survey Department has done •everything possible te accelerate the production of maps, and the position is steadily improving. Medical. The health of the troops during the year has been good. Epidemic diseases, though rather heavy in some camps, have been mild in severity. The main epidemics have been influenza and mumps. The daily incidence of admission to hospital for the whole Dominion has been 2-68 per 1,000, which, taking into account that men are admitted to hospital for ailments which in civil life would be treated in the home, can be considered as most satisfactory. . A Sick and Wounded Section established under the Adjutant-General controls sick and wounded personnel who leave their units, whether in New Zealand or overseas. Besides controlling these personnel in their progress through hospitals, this Section arranges their Medical Boards and final disposal according to their ultimate grading. Dental. The New Zealand Dental Corps undertakes the dental treatment of all members of the armed forces. An idea of the work of this section can be formed from the following summary of the work done for service personnel during the past year : Fillings, 179,524:; extractions, 67,705 ; other treatments, 17,244; full dentures, 5,579; partial dentures, 3,011; dentures remodelled or repaired, 10,183. Employment of Women. During the year women were enlisted in the Army for service in New Zealand and overseas. They were recruited from the New Zealand Women's War Service Auxiliary, and divided into three divisions : — (a) New Zealand W.W.S.A. (Overseas Hospital Division) : (b) New Zealand W.W.S.A. (Overseas Welfare Division) : (c) New Zealand W.W.S.A. (Army Home Service Division). The Overseas Hospital Division consists of a Nursing Section and a Clerical Section. The Nursing Section is comprised of V.A.s selected from members of either the New Zealand Red Cross Society or the Order of St. John who have completed at least sixty hours hospital experience. The Clerical Section is comprised of qualified shorthand-typists with general office experience. The Overseas Welfare Division is comprised of women for welfare work, and includes canteen and clerical workers. They are used primarily for the New Zealand Forces Club. The Army Home Service Division is comprised of women employed as clerks, cooks, waitresses, kitchen hands, and in duties similar to those performed by both the overseas divisions. The number of women employed in this division is restricted owing to lack of accommodation and other amenities in camps, &c. As these difficulties are overcome the number will increase. Arms : Ammunition and Equipment. Small-arms Ammunition. —The supply of -303 small-arms ammunition is in a satisfactory position. Camp Equipment. —Mobilization and a very considerable expansion have necessitated very heavy demands for all classes of camp equipment. A great deal has been and is being supplied from local sources, but of necessity many items have had to be ordered overseas. The position is fast improving. Equipment: General.—No effort has been spared to obtain our requirements from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia, Canada, and other parts of the Empire, and the ■deliveries from those sources of supply have been very substantial.

3

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert