TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2732, 30 July 1915, Page 8

TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

(Pei Press Association).

WELLINGTON, July 28. Before the Trentham Commission today,

Nurso Keith r who was on duty at Berhampore, said that the- attendance and comforts were all that could be required. Fordham and r'ollard took a sudden change for the worse. William Langton Newnhnm, assistant engineer, Public Works Department, produced plans of the camp as it appeared at different periods. • ■ Arthur Edward Whyte, secretary of the AVeUington Racing Club, said that in, October last the club granted the Defence authorities 60 acres of land, another 44 acres a quarter of a mile away for camping and manoeuvres, and the centre of the racecourse as parade ground. On June 13 Dr. Valintine brought patients to the trainers' quarters, and as a storm was ragingl the caretaker admitted them without reference to the authority. On witness's suggestion the patients were removed to the kiosk.

Brigadier-General A. W. Robin, temporary commanding the New Zealand Forces, and Quartermaster-GeneraK «avo the history of the camp in its early stages. ' His Honour: Were any special steps taken with regard to testing sanitation and so on ?

Witness: Yqs; the usual military precautions as to testing water supply, fixing positions for tents, latrines, etc. This work was done by the Chief of the General Staff (Colonel Gibbon) and the Quartermaster-General (Major Robinson). Witness took it that the sanitation qualities of the ground would be tested also. In such investigations the opinion of the Director of Medical Services would be taken. After the departure of Colonel Russell's force (Main Expedition) the camp was laid out anew for the Reinforcements. The Reinforcements were accommodated in tents,-which were not floored. He outlined the method on which, the duties and responsibilities of the Defence Department were allocated among the various officers. About tho end of December . witness made a minute in regard to hutments. Ho was governed not so much by the thought of winter as by the fact that their store of tents was becoming depleted in view of the "equipment of Expeditionary troops. . . . Under further .examination. General Robin stated that he heard throngu tho camp authorities that there were complaints about the huts being draughty, but lie saw more of-the matter in the newspapers^ The Chairman : Were any steps taken to remedy it ? General Robin: Yes. Was any. plan evolved to do „ away with draughts?— Not for;' Trent-ham'. The only other alternative was to put the men back in tents, was it not ?— .Yes. . • ■

Did you-get any report from the medical staff when these complaints came up ?—No. Whose business was it .to see to that?

\-—I don't know that it particularly came under the medical, officers except that they noticed that the men were suffering through it....;' In answer to .further questions, General Robin said he did not think the tents were top close .together. He thought the arrangements in this connection were quite suitable to the Climate and the position -.. ' The Chairman: Is it the practice to change the site of a equip, at intervals? General Robin: On, yes. Was it done at Trentham f —'No. The Chairman: Do'you think the quartermaster had an adequate staff for the requirements of ihe camp ?—No.. Did he. have" an adequate staff when the camp was at 3000 R—No. Why ; was that not remedied ? : —Because we had nonqualified staff to put there. ' .: .; l. ■■■ , . .' Dr. Martin : Don't you think you could. get wounded officers out from England to undertake the training ? General Robin: We asked there for officers and also asked India, but they said they could not supply us. ! The Chairman asked the Commandant if he had experienced any difficulty in ! the way oF effect being given to his recommendations to the Minister in re-1 gard to requirements. j General Robin : No, except that I | have had to cxnlain the reasons some- j times. There has been no difficulty; we have got what we wanted. The Commission adjourned till tomorrow.