H.—l9b

XIX

the measles ward, and that he had more patients than he could accommodate at one time." He said, "At Wellington Hospital the fact was that more measles patients were arriving than we had accommodation for, and the overcrowding became so serious that I had to decline to admit any one in the interests of the patients themselves. Most of the patients admitted were in acute stages." In this connection the Director of Medical Services says, " We had no trouble in. any shape or form until one day in April, and I submit this with a knowledge of what I am saying : I was suddenly told in the camp that the Wellington Hospital had refused to take any more cases of measles. I said it was an impossibility, that such a thing could not be. I went straight to the telephone and rang up the hospital, and got Dr. Barclay. I said, 'It cannot possibly be true, as I hear, that you have refused to take any further measles cases V and he replied, 'It is true.' He said, 'We are full up, and we want to clean out the tin shed." On this occasion the Director of Medical Services discussed this position ] over the telephone with Dr. Barclay, and Berhampore Hospital was mentioned 1 as a possible place for the reception of further measles patients. The D.M.S. then asked the Wellington Corporation for permission to take Berhampore. Permission was granted at once, and the Wellington City Engineer took immediate steps to improve the fitness of the place by the erection of further sanitary accommodation. On the 15th April twelve measles patients were sent there. Soon after the main building and the various outbuildings were filled with measles patients. Additional accommodation was then provided by pitching three large marquees about the buildings, and these were soon occupied by further measles patients. 69. On the 31st May Dr. Elliott, at the request of the Director of Medical Services, visited Berhampore to see patients there. He noticed that the place was overcrowded, and at once informed the D.M.S. of the fact. On the 2nd June —two days later—there were 104 patients in the main building, outbuildings, and marquees. Orders were then issued by the Director of Medical Services that no more patients were to be sent from Trentham to Berhampore. On the sth June Dr. Elliott was desired by Headquarters to visit Berhampore, and on the same day Dr. Valintine was directed by the Defence Minister to report on it. Dr. Valintine visited the hospital on the same day, and reported that he found eighty-seven patients in the main building, outhouses, and marquees. In the two wards of the main building, built to accommodate four patients each, he found twenty patients, ten in each ward. In one outbuilding there were nine patients, in another outbuilding two patients, and two side rooms off bathrooms had two patients each. The three marquees held fifteen, nine, and sixteen patients respectively. The rest of the patients were distributed in other outbuildings. As a result, Dr. Valintine reported that Berhampore was overcrowded. He recommended that no more patients should be sent there, and that the congestion should be eased. To relieve the congestion Dr. Valintine on the same day definitely arranged with the Medical Superintendent of the Wellington Hospital for forty-four beds in the Victoria Ward. 70. Berhampore continued as a hospital till about the sth July. On the 13th July it was finally closed. 71. The Director of Medical Services states that he ceased absolutely to have any connection with Berhampore on the 12th June, and that Captain Harrison was then appointed as " Medical Officer in charge of all measles patients." In other respects the Director of Medical Services stated that he ceased to have any responsibility in connection with the camp, or camp hospitals, or patients from the 15th June. Referring more particularly to the conditions at Berhampore, the Director of Medical Services stated in his evidence that the centre block of Berhampore was adapted to hold twenty to twenty-four men—ten to twelve in each ward. Dr. Valintine, in his report to the Minister of Defence, wrote that each of these wards was able to accommodate four patients, allowing 2,000 cubic feet for each patient, but could accommodate six patients. On his visit there were ten patients in each ward. The Director of Medical Services said that the

Berhampore taken.

Overcrowding there.

Arrangements made with Wellington Hospital. Berhampore closed.

Responsibility for medical service at Berhampore.

Conditions at Berhampore in detail.