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[Page 183]
(4)
The only other Naval Officers I propose to keep here are Lieut. Gillam and Sub-Lieut. Buller. The former will carry out the duties of Harbour Master until Lt.Commander Bracegirdle returns, after which he and Sub-Lieut. Buller will be allotted their permanent work.
I recommend also that two persons with Master Mariner's certificate, and preferably with local knowledge, be selected and sent here to take charge of the Merchant Steamers I am using for Commercial Inter-island work.
As soon as I ascertain definitely the number of infantry men who desire to re-engage, I will come to a decision as to the Officers I shall retain here with them.
Up till now the medical reports on the health of the troops under my command have been most satisfactory, but with the advent of the rainy season here, it seems fairly certain that a number of cases of Malaria are sure to occur. It is, therefore, fortunate that the "Eastern" has arrived, having on board Major Strangman, A.M.C., who has had such a large and varied experience in tropical diseases, and I understand that on the voyage here from Sydney he embraced every opportunity of instructing the other Medical Officers who accompanied him in this most important part of their duties.
I regret now to have to report the death of two of my command, viz :-
On 22nd instant at Namanula Hospital, No. 2673 Armorer - Charles Henry Foster Gardner, of the Naval Force; cause of death Malaria. Next of kin, Mother - Ann Jane Rosse "Eurella", Mont Albert Road. Balwyn, Victoria.
And-
On 23rd instant at Herbertshohe, No. 369 - A.B. - Herbert Charles Williams, of the Naval Force; cause o death Meningitis supervening on Malaria. Next of kin, Mother - Elizabeth Williams, 21 Langley Lane, South Lambeth Rd., Vauxall, London.
The condition also, of Private J.S. Gray of 'A' Coy. of the Tropical Force who has just arrived by the "Eastern" is very serious. He is suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis with Haemorrhage from the Lungs, and the Principal Medical Officer holds out very little hope of his recovery. Wireless messages have already been sent you in the cases of Gardner and Williams, and I will take similar action should Gray's case prove fatal.
The Principal Medical Officer reports that there are at present several cases of Malaria in Hospitals, but their condition is up to the present satisfactory.
I am pleased to be able to state that with the reinforcement of Medical Men by the "Eastern", it will be possible to have one stationed with each garrison, and I hope very soon to be able to dispense with the services of the German Medical Officers, whom I was compelled to retain, and who have up till now done most excellent work. They will be sent to Australia later on.
Major F.A. Maguire, A.M.C., who has acted as Principal Medical Officer since the departure of Lieut. Col. Howse, V.C., and whose services I extolled in a previous despatch, will