H". K. POTTEB.]

9

H.—l9b

263. If all the men wanted hot water they could not get it? —No, certainly not. 264. That water goes down in the ground?— There is a pit there. There is a rough drain which takes it into tlie soakage-pits. The newer ablution benches stand on concrete, so that there is no mud. 265. When was it first suggested that the troops ought to have hot water to wash with, in the way of hot showers or otherwise ?—I would not like to say. 266. You say the baths are being made: when were they started?— About a couple of months ago. 267. Has the work of making shower-baths been carried out energetically for two months?— No. I would like to say # that the reason for their erection was because some money for the purpose was given by some patriotic society. 268. When was that offer made?—l could not say exactly. 269. Six months ago?—No, about two months ago. 270. You say it was started two months ago?— They were put in hand directly the offer was made. We had to look out a suitable boiler and get the best plan for the work. 271. Who was employed to make the plan?—l left that to the Quartermaster. I think it was a Mr. Anderson, connected with the Asylum at Porirua, who drew the plan. 272. Did you consider it right that a camp should be run at Trentham without any hot water being available for the troops?— You mean for washing in? 273. Yes?—lt would add to their comfort considerably by having hot wafer. 274. And their health?—l would not like to speak from the health point of view. 275. The Chairman.] The men frequently come to town and get hot baths at their friends' places ?—Yes. 276. Mr. Ferguson.] Did you ever hear of a case of illness arising through a man not having hot water for washing or bathing?—No; no case was ever brought to my notice. 277. Mr. Salmond.] Have any complaints ever been made about not having hot water for washing?— Not to me, nor to my knowledge. 278. What arrangements were made for the washing of the clothing?— Well, wr have two laundries in camp, and the men take their clothes there, paying for their washing, of course. The original idea was to make the men wash their own clothes, because at the front they would have to do so. There were very few men who took advantage of the opportunity of washing their clothes; it was sent to the laundries. 279. Mr. Ferguson.] The laundries are established in the camp?— Yes; there are two — Excelsior and, I think, Victoria. 280. Do they do the washing there?—No, they arc only receiving-depots. 281. The Chairman.] The washing of the clothes at the river-bank was not followed up?— Not to any extent. 282. And the men paid for the laundry-work themselves?— Yes. 283. Where were the clothes washed?— They are Wellington laundries, but I do not know whether the clothes were washed in Wellington. 284. They were under the inspection of the camp officers?— Yes. 285. Mr. Ferguson.] There is a large laundry at Petone: was that represented at the camp? —I could not say. 286. Mr. Salmond.] What arrangements are made in the camp for drying the clothes of the troops and their boots?—No arrangements were made. 287. How did they get their clothes and boots dried?— The clothes were living out Io dry in the air. They did not parade and work in the wet much, and they should only have got. their overcoats wet. 288. And their boots and their trousers?— Yes; well, they would have a change of clothing. 289. Have the soldiers got two uniforms? —Yes, they have two uniforms. A soldier coming into camp on the first day receives the following outfit: a greatcoat, a. hat, a kit-bag. three blankets, one pair of boots, one pair of drawers, one working-shirt, ©uo undershirt, one set of denims, two pairs of socks, one jersey, a knife, fork, spoon, arid mug, two towels, and a waterproof sheet. Those are issued to every man immediately he goes iato camp. He takes these things away with him. 290. The Chairman.] Is a man allowed to wear his own clothing or underclothing in camp? —He comes into camp in his mufti, and he is allowed to keep it. 291. Then he has what he comes into camp with; but, then, can he add to it? —He can please himself, but the stipulation is made that he cannot take it away with him when he leaves camp for embarkation. 292. He can get a, pair of extra boots?— Yes, if he likes to buy them. 293. He might overcrowd the camp with his luggage?— That is so. 294. Is there anything in the regulations to prevent him getting two or three extra pairs of drawers, for instance?— Nothing whatever. Indeed, there are shops at the camp, and a canteen, which have done excellent business, so that the men must have bought a, good deal of personal clothing. 295. Mr. Salmond,.] Does he get two khaki uniforms? —No. During the first week he gets a uniform suit—that is. the ordinary khaki uniform with putties. Then he gets his second issue of clothing—a pair of drawers, a working-shirt, an undershirt, and an extra pair of socks, and a housewife. He would also be issued a second pair of boots if we had them, but he may have to wait till they come to hand from the manufacturers. 296. The Chairman.] There have been times when you have not had the boots to supply during the first week?— That is so.

2—H. 19b.