THE TRANSPORTS.

Evening Star, Issue 11692, 25 September 1902, Page 1

THE TRANSPORTS.

LAXITY OF DISCIPLINE. EVIDENCE CONCERNING THE ORIENT. [From Ora Parliament art Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 25. It will be recollected that, the Commissioners, in their report presented to Parliament on Tuesday, made severe reflections regarding the want of discipline i n the transport Orient. The following excerpts from the evidence afford some idea for the conclusions arrived at:— Dr Mason, Chief Health Officer lor the colony, said the utmost difficulty was put in his way with regard to landing men on Somes Island. The department had to pitch the tents and land stores, and on two occasions fatigue-parties were refused. Colonel Abbott said he would put the request in the orders; but the fact remained that no fatigue party came. Major O’Brien made a written protest against the men being landed on Somes Island, be considering that to land themhere at that ■ time of year would be very deleterious to their health. Witness bad to fight the officers on board, the Orient all through. Witness believed Major O’Brien’s protest was at the bottom of all the unrest. The condition of the Orient when she arrived in Wellington was filthy—all except the hospital; that was in good order. The men made threats at one tune of tarring and feathering Captain Goad and witness! He had never heard men refuse to do what Colonel Abbott had ordered, but witness knew that the colonel gave many orders that were not obeyed. Dr Purdy declared that some of the Orient men were filthy in their habits and language alike. The bulk of the men were not so filthy as those of the Britannic, but they seemed to have, too great an amount of freedom. Surgeon-captain Falconer stated that the total strength of the hospital staff, excluding the surgeon, was eight. In witness’s opinion nothing was left undone by the Imperial authorities at Cape Town or by lhs surgeon-captain in charge. Once bad food was supplied to the hospital. The medical officer at Port Chalmers said the Orient’s men were the heartiest troops that had ever arrived at that port. Witness thought-that a quite sufficient answer to any complaint that the conditions ; n board the rebel wore not what they ought to have been. Sergeant Beasley gave it as his.opinion that the Orient was practically what the men made it themselves. The embarkation staff. sergeant reported to the embarkation staff officer .that the ship was overcrowded, and he told the sergeant .to “dump” them on and get them out of' the country After the men were disembarked at Wellington witness and a party of twenty men had to dean up the ship, and in.one corner they had to clean up the excreta of- some of the men.. Officers, and non-comsrssiohed officers were openly, jeered, at by the men. pie officers did not seem to take sufficient interest .in _ the working of their companies. ■ They left mostly to the brigade officials. In' the majority of cases the non-cbni£ were . not capable of enforcing the orders pey gave, It seemed to be a weak spot m Ninth Contingent, particularly in

tothe,North Island regiment. The officers and- non-coms. wore" openly /gibed ot by the. men. Two or three < intn were pimished for direct, disobedience of orders, but, other instances were not reported; The non-coms. did. not seem to have sufficient determination to see that orders were earned out, On one occasion tite men openly refused to go off the ship .to Somes Island, .and. on another there, was a meeting of troopers, on the fore part of the-ship-10, persuade the fatigue party not to go; Witness did not see how ■ the officers . codld nave failed to bo cognisant .of the men’s n^ ons , conduct.. ’He had seen one or two officers under the influence ,of liquor, but would not say that was a regular thing. ■ Abbott gave "evidence "that there was not mnch d.ssatisfaction amongst the men because of .the shortage of hammocks. There was no parade for physical drill—-there was not room enough. Witness was satisfied with the way in which the non-coms, did their duty. There was no insubordination—nothing but trifling :t----wgolanties. He did not know whv the mugue party did not go ashore untfl'Mda-j-,was ready on the Saturday,. and « it did not go. ashore it ; was through accident Ifc was in no respect an act'of insubordination. Major O’Brien stated that the appointments of non-coms., were all made bv him, and he was satisfied with the way. Thee did their work. There was certainly, a ;tufference m the discipline of . the men going SEL™* h °me. They, we£cm good . behayionr when goidg out, ,b n t S coimng home the discipline got a. bit a- to maintain 8 s jM, on when coming must not measure colonial ? Impenal bsshel.r As t homes Island, there was nolhino- active £jn£fT e * as, a to go on shore. Witness was posi--ot^ ^O D! of ,,t he on the. Orient callm = out fi-thy lantriage audibly m the presence of their own o«dnrt Sth- He \ Ub officers - The conownH ♦beir officers was all (Ha! desired. The stetenm- tf Beasley that officers were opralv g!bed at was false, and so was the s S Spi St ° fficers could not