TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15335, 20 July 1915, Page 5

TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS

(press association telegram.)

WELLINGTON, July 19. R. W. Holmes, Engiueer-in-Chief of the Public Works Deparment, gave evidence to-day before the Trantkam Royal Commission. He said that up to the present he had had nothing to do with the erection of tho hutments. On Tuesday last he was asked to take charge of all the work. He considered tnat the hutments were fairly satisfactory. They would be rather cold on frosty nights, and some attention would have to be given tb ventilation. With regard to sanitation he considered tho collection of sewage was satisfactory, but its disposal after collection provided greater difficulties in view of tiie ground possibly becoming clogged with particles of solid matter. He had under consideration means for dealing with this. Improvements of the camp wero to be made at a cost approximately of £28,C00. He considered the site a very suitable one for the camp. Major James O'Sullivan, Assistant-Quartenr.aster-General, said the Department had let a contract for 2250 pairs of boots per month, R. Hannah and Co., of Wellington, and O'Brien and Co., of Christchurch, being the contractors. The difficulty commenced when, in addition to 1700 men originally provided tor, the authorities put in thw Trentham Regiment, field artillery and base hospitals and other troops. His Honour: What we want to know i-; whether there was sufficient activity displayed in getting the boots. As a matter of fact, you don't get enougn Witness: "No, wo do not." He added that efforts were made at once to in-; crease the supply. Other boot mann- i facturers were invited to supply at the contract price.