f1.—19

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to the horses purchased a large number was presented to the Government, and, though some of these could not be utilized for active service on account of unsuitability, 1,334 were accepted and utilized. The original Remount Depot at Palmerston North was in charge-of Captain W. G. C. Smith, but on that officer leaving for active service in Egypt in December. 1914. Captain R. ('. Tilley assumed control, and retained it to the end. New Zealand Horses on Active Service. Only a comparatively small number of New Zealand horses were used on active service in France, the, bulk of those sent from the Dominion being attached to the army operating from Egypt as a base. In the Egyptian and Palestine campaigns these horses are reported to have done excellent work, and the New Zealand Mounted Brigade was never withdrawn from the line on account of its horses being unlit for duty, this in spite of the fact that the average weight carried during operations would not be less than 20 stone, and that the mounted men have on several occasions covered a distance of from thirty to thirty-five miles in one night. In addition, the horses at times had to go for thirty-six hours without water -and on two occasions from forty-eight to sixty hours —with a day temperature of from 110° to 120". At the, end of October, 1917, after nearly three years' service, of which twenty months were occupied in hard active warfare in the desert, one squadron had with it 96 Main Body horses out of an original total of 156. When actual casualties in action are allowed for, the percentage, lost or unfit for work as a result of sickness or preventable causes was remarkably small. This may be taken as the fair average experience of the other squadrons in the brigade. Sea Carriage of Horses. The New Zealand horses* carried remarkably well at sea, and of a total of 9,1.88 shipped the loss at sea was only 3 per cent. While, illustrating the stamina and general healthfulness of the, animals, it must be realized that this excellent result was largely contributed to by the skilled attention of the Veterinary Officers in charge, and the general care exercised by the troops detailed for the care of the horses. Pig-farms. In order to utilize to the best advantage waste food at the Trentham Camp a pig-farm was established on land nearby, and placed under the charge of the Remount Officer. This farm proved remarkably successful in every way, and returned a handsome profit to the. Department. Since the cessation of training operations at. Trentham, and the consequent great reduction of the' number of men in the camp, this farm has been much reduced in dimensions, but is still being carried on in a, small way, under the charge of the Supply Officer. Later, a second farm was established at Tauherenikau for the purpose, of utilizing the waste food from the Featherston Camp. This was also under the charge, of the Remount Officer and, like the Trentham farm, returned a very handsome, profit to the Department. Copies of the last balance-sheets of these two farms are attached. Sinees. the breaking-up of the Remount Depot the Tauherenikau pig-farm, already much reduced in dimensions as a result of the cessation of training at Featherston, has been placed under the charge of the Supply Officer. Captain Tilley having been demobilized. Veterinary Services in France and Egypt. The. good work done by the New Zealand Veterinary Staff in France is recognized in a memorandum to Lieut.-General Sir A. Godley from Major-General Moore, Imperial Director of Veterinary Services, reading as follows ;— " Before the demobilization of the New Zealand Division and the New Zealand Section of No. 4 Veterinary Hospital at Calais I should like to express 'my appreciation of the excellent service rendered by the New Zealand Veterinary Corps. " The record of the division from a veterinary point of view all through the war has compared most favourably with other divisions. The difficulties of active service have been surmounted in a highly creditable fashion, and the manner in which officers and other ranks have stuck to their duties is beyond all praise. " No bettor work has been done anywhere than by the small New Zealand Veterinary Hospital attached to No. 4 Veterinary Hospital, Calais. The work carried out has always been of a high standard, and it is a model of efficiency and good order. " I am glad that, the New Zealand Veterinary Corps has had an opportunity of being complete in all matters of veterinary organization in the field, and that it has proved its metal. Without question, it has justly merited the good will and high regard of the, Dominion to which it belongs. Thoroughly identifying itself with the Army Veterinary Service, British Expeditionary Force, the parting is one full of regrets ; at the same time there remains a deep sense of gratitude for all the splendid assistanceit has rendered." The, Veterinary Staff with the Egyptian Force has also done excellent work. After the return of the officers to New Zealand it is hoped to furnish a comprehensive report covering the whole of the work done during the, period of the, war. Farming Operations at Tauherenikau. The Department having acquired the property, consisting of some 570 acres, upon which the Tauherenikau Camp was established, it was decided to carry on vegetable and general farming on that portion of the area not required for camp or for drill purposes. The area devoted to vegetablegrowing was in successful and profitable occupation when the camp was broken up so far as training