LIFE AT TRENTHAM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4005, 11 August 1915, Page 6

LIFE AT TRENTHAM.

<£> IT IS GOING TO BE A MODEL CAMP.”

By telegraph—Specie 1 Correspondent. WELLINGTON, Aug. 10The Minister for Defence (Hon J. Allen) in conversation with your representative last evening stated that bis • Department had no intention whatever of ignoring the Royal Commission in regard to the question of resuming the occupation of Trentiiaiff by taking the Eighth Reinforcements there.

“It is necessary,” lie said, ‘Tor the carrying out of our undertakings in the interests of the Empiro that tho work of training should not be delayed. Ido not want to ignore the Commission; far from it. Ido not know whether we will get its report before the new lot of men go into camp. But in. any event f hope that wo shall receive an interim report. Wo did not make up our minds to resume the use of the camp without getting full advice upon the matter. We obtained a report from six or seven raccucal officers who-recommended certain alterations, and these are now being carried out.”

Mr Allen added that there was no desire or intention to unduly hurry tho Eighth Reinforcements into camp. It had been expected that they would he taken into camp on August- 17th 18th and 19th, but on account of a delay in getting .the gravel into camp through a flood in the river the road works now proceeding would not be completed by the 17th. It was desired to complete tho .streets before bringing the men into camp, and the probable dates of the arriving of the men would now be August 23rd. 24th, and 25th.

, “There is nothing wrong with Trcntham,” added the Minister in an emphatic tone. ‘Tt is going to he a model camp.” There had not, lie said, been a single case of measles or serious sickness at Trentlmm for a fortnight. Mil MASSEY’S ADVICE TO AUCKLAND. Some reference to the protests being made chiefly in Auckland against the moving of troops into Trentlmm again wore also.made by tho Prime Minister to your representative to-day. “Six medical moil have reported officially that Trenthain is now quite healthy as a camp for up to 4000 men,” said Mr Massey, “and acting on that the military authorities have been getting ready_ for the next batcii of recruits. . It is probable that an interim report on this subject from tho Royal Commission will be forthcoming in a few days. You can rest assured that Ministers will run no unnecessary risks where the health of our men is concerned. I shall be very glad if some representative Aucklanders will come and see tho different camps for themselves. We shall be glad to afford them every facility.”