THE TRENTHAM INQUIRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3997, 2 August 1915, Page 6

THE TRENTHAM INQUIRY.

EVIDENCE TAKEN AT THE , CAMP.

(Press Association Telegram.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 1. The Trentham Camp Commission took evidence at the camp yesterday. Before the sitting commenced, the Commissioners inspected certain bartioris of the camp regarding which evidence had been given. Jaim Connor, a private in the. Trentham Itegimeiit", 2nd Battalion, said he came into camp on 29th May, and had to wait three hours for his kit, finally receiving it at 11. p.m. There was evidently a shortage of underclothing, as they were given only one set at that time, though they had: been told that they should have two. He was in the Ist Battalion in the first place and was not overcrowded in his hutment. Many other hutments, however, were overcrowded and some had no shelves, doors, or windows. When he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion lie occupied a hut in which there were about /0 men. Hie doors and windows had just been put in after a fortnight’s occupation. Witness remarked that, in the opinion of several men, they had too much fatigue work, sometimes doing six hours a day digging drains and so on. It was not pleasant when the ground was very wet and they had only one pair of 'boots. The men complained not because the. work was hard, but because it was not the work they had come in for. Witness had been ill at the racecourse, Wellington hospital hikl Kaiwarra, and had no complaint regarding his treatment. On returning to camp, he had been sent as orderly to the camp. For this he saw no reason, as he was quite fit to ie~ ioin his regiment. Trooper Lawrence Going described his experiences when lie became sick of measles on Sth June He was sent to a marquee pitched on wet ; ground. He obtained some straw susu lav down on it. He lay there tor three days and was then removed to a loose-box.at the. racecourse, where t.ie meals were better, though inegJ ar through lack of orderlies. __ ,Surgeon Captain Cnvwiord _ gave evidence regarding the illness of i r ’ v ~ ate Ernest Smith, of Christchurch. On julv 7 witness received an urgent message and found Smith in a state of collapse. The patient was placed in the meningitis ward and next day developed double bronchial Pneumonia. It was incorrect to say Smith was not properly dressed while jn b °At this stage Mr .Skerrett intimated that this case would be rurtber investigated. , A number oi .soldic-ra. taken at ia dom from those about the camp, vero examined as to camp condition.- g orally and particularly as lo treatment in eases of illness. The Commission adjourned tnl Mondav morning.