THE TRENTHAM INQUIRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4001, 6 August 1915, Page 2

THE TRENTHAM INQUIRY.

YESTER-DAV’S EVIDENCE, (I'ress asauoiat.iou Telegram.. WELLINGTON, Aug. 5 A. statement regarding the scope of tho Troutham Camp Commission was made by the Solicitor-Gen: ral (Mr. J. W. Sa-lmon-d, K.C.) before, the Commission resumed the hearing of <■ video ob to-day. The Solicitor-Goiiera-1 said that the Commission was not essentially or primarily an advisory body on to 'which the Government mmht shift its- responsibility. Incidentally, an. inquiry info what had happened in the past must- involve the future also. Criticism of what hail existed amountoil to ia- recommendation, but, as such was merely incidental, the Commission had been established to investigate, charges, to afford the public an opportunity of stating their grievances, and to gain a judicial finding with respect to such charges. Any recommendations would undoubtedly be w. 1 - •coined, but- the Commission could not be regarded as involving a stay of proceedings. The Government h:uf to proceed with the equipment of camps. Tim question of removal from Treutham was not now a matter for consideration. A great deal of money had already been spent- there, and there was a'further leg programme of improvements. His Honor Mr. Justice. Husking (President) said the observations made yesterday were directed to the hutments. Concerning these, a great deal of evidence had been giv.n. Any finding upon that question might involve alterations if any notice were to bo taken of it. Hie quite, .recognise;!, however, that military activities must, continue. Colonel Batchelor attended to correct an impression That lie had doubted the existence of ce.reAro sp.nal meningitis at the camp. Captain Donald Petri,o Sirnson, invalided h-ome from the British section of the New Zealand forces, gave evidence with respect to New Z aland camps (Wnikariae, Taiili ronikau, Trent! min) as compared with the camps at Salisbury Plain and other parts of England. He said hutments at Salisbury Plain wore '"cry much like those at Trenl-liam, of iron, but lined with what was .supposed: to be asbestos, but was really a paper mixture. There wa-s too much ventilation between the flooring her.ids and: at the eaves. The huts were very cold. They accommodated 'fifty men on an average. I’lio mud became so bad- in the camps, where there were about 180,000 men, that it was impassible to continue) intents even with wooden floors. Theme were no roads except the main Salisbury roads, and the- place was o sea of mud. Up to the time of his departure they had no facilities for drying clothes and boots. Major O’Sullivan was recalled, and gave, evidence regarding contracts lor boots for the troops. . , Christopher Thomson, who , joined the Trentham Regiment, gave an account of his treatment in camp. .He had. been discharged with a strained side, and believed tins was duo to his being sent- back to work to scon after an illness without- due examination and consideration.