THE INQUIRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16913, 20 July 1915, Page 9

THE INQUIRY.

EVIDENCE YESTERDAY. [Peb Paxss Association.] WELLINGTON, July 19. R. W. IloJmes, engineer-in-chief of the Public Works Department, gave evidence to-day before tho Trentham Royal Commission. He said that up to the present he had had nothing to do with tho election of hutments. On Tuesday last ho was asked to take charge of all work. He considered the hutments fairly satisfactory. They would be rather cold on frosty nights, and some attention would have to be given to ventilation. With regard to sanitation he considered the collection of sewage was satisfactory, but the disposal after collection provided greater difficulties, in view of the ground possibly becoming clogged with particles of solid matter. He had under consideration means for dealing with this.

Mr Holmes, continuing his evidence, said that the improvements at the camp were to be at a cost approximately of £28,000. Ho considered' the site a very suitable one for a camp. Major James O’Sullivan, assistant quartermaster-gen *ral, said that the department let a contract for 2250 pairs of boots per month to R. Hannah and Co.. Wellmg.on, and O’Brien anti Co., Christchurch, being the conraotors. The difficulty commenced when, in addition to tho 1700 men originally provided for, the authorities put in the Trentham regiment, Field Artillery base hospitals and other troops. His Honor: What we want to know is whether there was sufficient activity displayed in getting the boots. As a matter of fact, you don’t get enough now? Witness: No. we do not. He added that efforts were niad'e at once to increase the supply, and other boot manufacturers were invited to supply them at contract price.