TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5191, 20 July 1915, Page 6

TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

Electric Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night.

At the Trentliam enquiry tire evidence of Mr Holmes, Chief of Public Works Department, was taken in connection with the hutments with which he had nothing to do, but lie considered them fairly satisfactory. They would be rather cold on frosty nights, and some attention would have to be given to ventilation. The collection of sewage was satisfactory, but 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. He said the improvements at the camp were to be at a cost of approximately £28.000. He considered the site a very suitable one for a camp. Major James O’Sullivan, assistant Quartermaster-General, said the Department let a contract for 2250 pairs of boots per month. R. Hannah «nd Co., Wellington, and O’Brien and Co., Christchurch, being the contractors. The difficulty started when in addition to 1700 men originally provided for the authorities put in Trent,ham a regiment oif field a Cilery, base hospitals and other troops. His Honour: 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 made at once to increase the supply and other bootmakers were invited to supply at contract price. AUSTRALIAN ENQUIRY. Sydney, Last Night. A precis of the complaints and charges concerning the administration of tiie Liverpool camp includes alleged general insufficiency of equipment, clothing, rifles, ammunition and bedding: unsatisfactory hospital arrangements. and callousness and indifference on the part of doctors. It is also •dated that a German doctor with German sympathies was employed. It is alleged that soldiers were placed in draughty lints, and that preferential treatment was accorded those interned in the Gorman concentration camp. It is also stated that horses were left without food: that restriction- wore placed on the officers’ leave of absence. and that there was excessive centralisation and discouragement of initiative. At the Liverpool Camp enquiry Major Sands, commandant of the German concentration camp, gave evidence that the latter is on high ground while the military camp is on low-lying, subject to flooding and fogs. There had boon no illness in the German camp, which was provided with many conveniences, including unlimited hot water, food, mosquito nets, electric lighting, and plenty of warm clothing, chiefly resultant from profiits of the canteen. Though they were provided with the same rations, the Germans got 20 per cent, more value than the Australians out of the food.