THE TRENTHAM INQUIRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3994, 29 July 1915, Page 4

THE TRENTHAM INQUIRY.

Y ESTER DA Y : S PROCEEDI NGS. (Press Association Telegram.j WELLINGTON, Jnlv ‘2F. The Tr-mham inquiry was contuiued to-day. Nurse A era Keith, who was at is rhainpore Hospital from 19th May to sth July., said that Sister Jamieson was in charge for the first two weeks, then she herself took charge. Private Pollard was admitted on 25th June suffering from influenza rather badly. He had a temperature from the start, and on 29th June it rose- to 105. Pollard and Fordham both had t- trip rnturc charts, the temperatnr.- being taken every four hours. Major Elliott came in the evening and saw the patients. They could be well looked after at. Berhampore, as there were only eight patients in the ward. Tney had only 20 patients altogether am! three trained nurses and throe orderlies. so witness considered they were well* able to deal with the eases there. AYhon Pollard’s relatives came., tinymade no complaint, but thanked t . nurses. AA*itnc<s said she remenih: d Pollard’s sis:*;- - aying that his 10-t were cold. Si-ut Hannah. uh:> w..s looking after tile patient, had sic-:: that lie was kept as warm as possible, but it was impossible to keep a man warm when he was dying. lordliam s case was much the same as Dollar.iN except that his temperature did not rise to the same extent. A\ hen In became seriously ill, witness telegraph: d to his relatives. They came arid isprossecl their gratitude for the treatment- of the patient.

William Langton Ncwnlr.nn. a —i-t ant engineer oi the Public Works I> partment, produced Wans of the cam: as it appeared at different periods.

Arthur Edward Whyte, secretary of the Wellington Racing Club, said that in October last the club granted the Defence authorities sixty acres of land and another 44 acres a quarter of a mile away for camping and manoeuvres, and the centre of the racecourse as a parade ground. On 13th June. Dr. Yalintiue brought patients to the trainers’ quarters, and, as - si- stone was raging, the caretaker admitted them without reference- to authority. On witness’s suggestion, the patients were removed to the kiosk.

Brigadier-General A. W. Rohm, temporarily commanding the New Zealand Forces, and Quartermaster - General, gave the history of the camp in its early stages.

llis Honor: Were anv special stop* Ink on with regard to testing sanitation and so on?—Yes; the usual military precautions ns to testing water supply, fixing positions for tents, latrines, etc. 'This work was done by the Chief of tho General Staff. Colonel Gibbon, and the Quartermaster-Gene-ral “2,” Major Robinson.

Witness said lie took it that the sanitation qualities of the ground would he tested also. In such investigations the- opinion of the- Director of Medical Services would be taken. After th ' departure of Colonel Rusteli’s force (Main Expedition), the camp was hud out anew for reinforcements. The reinforcements were accommodated in touts, which wore not floored. Wooden floors had not been considered necessary in New Zealand previously—rather a comfort- than a necessity. El the ground was properly trenched it should have been perfectly suitable for all soldiers. He believed' in making the men accustomed to field conditions right- away, but there- was a haifvpy medium. General Robin outlined the method on which tho duties and responsibilities of the Defence Department wore allocated among the various officers. About- the end of December witness made a minute in regard' to hutments. Ho was governed .not so much by the thought of the winter as by the fact that- their store of touts was becoming depicted in view of tho equipment of expeditionary troops. Another reason was the expense of tentage through wear and tear.