H.—l9

20

80. Field Cooking. The cooking in camps was carried out as last year, partially by civilian cooks and partially by Territorial cooks. Roberts field cookers were used, also several cookers manufactured by Scott Bros., in the Canterbury District, which were supplemented by trench cooking when necessary. 81. Field Bakeries. Army Service Corps bakeries have been established at Trentham and Featherston Camps, and for the past twelve months the whole of the bread requirements for these two camps, averaging 6,000 lb. and 7,00011). respectively daily, has been turned out at an average cost of 6'osd. per I lb. A more up-to-date bakery is in course of erection at Trentham Camp, and when complete will further decrease tin 1 cost of bread-production by approximately £1,400 per annum. 82. Supplies for New Zealand Expeditionary Force, United Kingdom. Large quantities of condensed milk, bacon, preserved meat, jam, peas, beans, cheese, flour, sugar, and butter for the use of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the United Kingdom are sent monthly or as transports are available, and as these supplies can be landed ex transports at a much less cost than by purchase in England, it thus materially decreases the cost of maintenance of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces in England. 83. Veterinary Corps. The veterinary services have been successfully carried out during the year. In view of the reduced number of Reinforcements required, a longer period of training has been possible, with the result that a marked increase in efficiency has been attained. 84. Extra Horses for Territorial Camps. The practice of hiring horses for use in the Territorial camps has not proved efficient,or economical. It is found more advantageous to purchase outright all horses required at the beginning of the camp season, and, if possible, to arrange the camps in each military district so that the horses can be transferred from one camp to another. This method was tried in Otago during the year, with the following result : Fourteen transport horses were purchased at a cost of £395 and used in different camps. The cost of hiring a similar number of horses would have been £311. At the conclusion of the year the horses were worth quite as much as when purchased, and as this class of horse, as well as the artillery type, is always in demand and readily sold, the economy effected is apparent. It will probably be found practicable to extend this scheme to riding-horses also with economical results, as these horses could be utilized as required to replace cast horses of the Permanent establishment, for which purpose their camp training would render them most valuable. 85. Remount Depot. The Remount Depot at Upper Hutt has been retained as a receiving and distributing centre for the Expeditionary Force training-camps and the Permanent establishment. The horses shipped as remounts for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force were of an excellent type, and should uphold the high reputation already established overseas by New Zealand remounts. A loss of only I per cent, occurred during sea voyages. A small number of remounts was despatched to Samoa, where they arrived safely and gave satisfaction. An officer of the N.Z.V.C. who accompanied the horses inspected and reported favourably on the whole Samoan horse establishment. 86. Pig-parm. A pig-farm has been established in conjunction with the Remount Depot, and is managed by the Remount officer. This farm was instituted as a means of profitably utilizing the waste products of the camp, and to ensure better sanitary conditions. There is every indication that the venture will prove profitable, and also improve the health of men in the camp.