21

H.—l9

Trousers, S.D. : New band-linings, pocket, crutch-piece, fly, and button-catch are fitted in the renovation process at a cost of 4s. The new garment would cost 175., and the saving effected is thus 13s. Pantaloons : New band-lining, two pockets, crutch-piece, fly, and button-catch and buttons resewn at a cost of Is. 6d, The new garment would cost £1 25., and tin; saving effected is 17s. 6d. Putties : Laundered and made equal to new for the sum of 6(3. per pair. Original cost, 6s. ; saving effected, ss. 6d. Soiled ends are cut off, new pieces rejoined, thus utilizing the article to the best advantage. Shirts, work : New collar-bands are fitted, buttons resewn, and garments made equal to new at, a cost of Is. Id. Original cost, Bs. ; saving effected, 6s. lid. Shirts, under : Buttons resewn a.nd garment thoroughly washed and disinfected at a cost of 9d. Original cost, 6s. ; saving effected, ss. 3d. Pants, under : New crutch-piece, new tape, buttons resewn, laundered and disinfected at a cost of fs. Original cost, 6s. ; saving effected, ss. Jerseys : This article is put to good use and laundered at a cost of 7d., and holes darned at a cost of Id. per hole. Original cost, Bs. ; saving, 7s. sd. The attached schedule shows the number of garments received for the above period, cost of renovation of same, also the cost of new garments:—

Clothing shipped Overseas. During this period the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the United Kingdom were supplied with —Jackets, 25,000 ; trousers, 15,040 ; shirts, work, 42,952 ; shirts, under, 18,056 ; drawers, pairs, 18,015; jerseys, 24,760; socks, pairs, 39,068; putties, pairs, 15,096; boots, pairs, 42,900; shoes, pairs, 14,000. The Forces in Egypt were supplied with —Jackets, 2,000. The total value of these articles was £153,600. The Epidemic. In November last during the epidemic that had such terrible effects on the populace of this city every assistance was given by the Ordnance Department to the civil community in the way of equipping temporary hospitals. To cope with the need for hospital accommodation, temporary hospitals were opened in some half-dozen buildings. All were equipped by the Ordnance Department, and the staff are to be congratulated for the way they rose to the occasion and worked night and day. Organization. During the year the strength of the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps has increased materially. This was due to the taking-over of the camps and the rush of work consequent on demobilization, In recruiting for the corps, and in accordance with para. 28, Regulations for Ordnance Services (N.Z.). preference is given to returned soldiers. Eleven Staff Sergeants have been seconded for duty as Quartermaster-Sergeants with units, and Ordnance is filling all vacancies as they occur. Laundry-work. Laundry-work on the Department's behalf throughout the Dominion is on a satisfactory basis. The contracts are let by competitive tenders, and contractors are required to comply with the Department's conditions, which leave no loophole for careless work. Tin; laundry-work in Wellington has reached great proportions in connection with the renovation of clothing.

Article. Number. Cost New. Cost of Renovation. Saving. Jackets, S.D. . . Trousers, S.D.. . Pantaloons Greatcoats Warmers, M.S. Putlies, pairs .. 14,910 10,190 603 14,380 i 438 i 1,849 £ s. d. 1 10 0 22,365 0 0 0 17 0 8.661 10 0 1 2 0 663 6 0 2 11 6 38,285 2 0 0 6 0 554 14 0 0 8 0 4,686 8 0 0 8 0 6.929 4 0 0 6 0 5,194 10 0 0 6 0 4.872 0 0 £ s. d. I 0 7 6 I 5.591 5 0 I 0 4 0 I 2,038 0 0 I 0 A 6 I 135 13 6 i 0 6 0 I 4,460 8 0 I 0 0 6 I 48 A 6 I 0 0 7 I 341 14 4 I 0 11 I 938 6 7 I 0 0 9 I 619 6 3 I 0 10 i 812 0 0 £ s. 16,763 L5 6.623 10 527 12 33,824 14 508 10 d. 0 0 6 0 0 Jerseys 11,716 4,344 13 8 Shirts, working 17,323 5.990 17 5 Shirts, under .. 17,315 4,543 3 9 Drawers, woollen •16,240 4,060 0 0 Total.. 77,186 16 4