H.—6c.

Q.M.S. J. W. DAVIES.]

17

609. What quantity of drinking-water was allowed per day ?—As much as they liked. 610. And three pints a day for washing ?—They had between three and four hundred gallons a day amongst them. 611. Well, that comes to about three pints apiece. Was the hospital cooking done in the saloon galley or in the men's galley?—l do not know. 612. Colonel Davies.] Why do you think the latrines were not sufficient, and that it would have been better if there had been two latrines aft: did you ever hear any complaints? —No. That was my view. 613. When did you form that opinion?—l knew there were not many seats in the latrines. 614. Did you ever mention it to anybody ? —No. 615. You "did not think it was a serious matter? —I waited to see if there were any complaints. 616. Were there not two latrines aft ?—No ; one. But there were two hospital latrines. 617. As to the deck-space : you think it was too limited for the men to walk about on it? — Yes, in bad weather. 618. But in fine weather the men could be there ?—Yes. 619. Then, there was ample room on deck? —Yes ; but not for drill purposes, only for the men to move about. 620. Plenty of room for sports ?—No. 621. Did they not have the promenade deck for sports ?—They had. 622. Mr. Millar.] Was the promenade deck open to the troops at all times ? —No. 623. Then, as far as the deck accomodation is concerned, it cannot be taken into account ? — No ; it was kept for the officers. 624. The troops as a whole had no access to that deck except in cases such as that referred to by Colonel Davies ?—No. 625. The Chairman.] Was there any ration of spirits or liquor of any kind issued to the men ?—No ; not that I know of. 626. Were they allowed to purchase liquor on board ?—Yes. 627. From the ship?—l do not know about the canteen arrangements, but they were allowed to purchase beer every day. 628. Is that according to the transport regulations, or was it provided under the ship's regulations ? It was under the transport regulation which says, "Beer may be obtained daily on payment by the sanction of the officer commanding the troops on requisition by the officer commanding the regiment to the quartermaster." 629. Was there ever any drunkenness on board?—l never saw a case the whole time I was on board. 630. Did you ever hear of the men committing a nuisance between decks ?—■Nβ. 631. Do you think such could be the case, except upon rare occasion ?—I do not think it ever occurred. Quartermaster-Sergeant John William Davies examined on oath. (No. 4.) 632. The Chairman.] Were you attached to either of the two contingents on board the " Britannic "?—Yes, to the Eighth Contingent. 633. What was your position on board ?—Quartermaster-sergeant of F Squadron of the South Island Battalion. 634. Had you been with any of the other contingents before ?—Yes, with the Fourth Con--635. When were you promoted to the rank of quartermaster-sergeant? —When I was with the Eighth Contingent in Addington Camp, Christchurch. 636. You acted in that capacity when in South Africa? —Yes. 637. And on board the ship when going out?— Yes. 638. Is it part of your duties to deal with the rations? —Yes. 639. Do you know the rations issued per man?—l can pretty well tell them. As far as 1 remember, 1 lb. of baker's bread per man was issued each morning. Besides that, biscuits were issued. They were put in barrels on deck, and the men were allowed to help themselves when they liked. 640. Were they of good quality ?—They were good biscuits. 641. In the way of meat?— The mess orderlies went to the galley at each sounding of " Cookhouse door " and got the meat —sometimes stews, and at other times cold meats. 642. What was the ration of meat per man ?—1 lb. per day. 643. What sort of quality of meat was it ?—lt was very good meat. Once or twice I tasted it and it was a little tainted, but that was all. 644. Had the meat a good appearance ordinarily ?—lt looked very good. 645. It did not look like rejected meat ?—I never saw it look bad. 646. It was fairly fat meat?— Yes ;it was frozen mutton generally. 647. How would it compare with the meat hanging in a butcher's shop? —You could not tell the difference. 648 What other rations did they get?— Flour. The bread was baked. 649. I mean for puddings or that sort of thing ?—They always obtained the pudding from the cook-house when on issue, at dinner-times. 650. Plums, currants, sugar ?—The tea was always sweetened. They got apple-pie occasionally and other puddings. 651. Such as ?—Plum-puddings and tarts sometimes. I think these were extras. 652. Did the men pay for them ? —No ; they were extras from the cook-house.

3_H. 6c.