25

H.—6c.

Q.M. W. CLOUSTON.]

45. Then, in the matter of accommodation : do you know anything about the accommodation on board for the hammocks ?—Very poor, sir. 46. What do you mean by "very poor " ?—There were plenty of hammocks, but not enough room to sling them. 47. You do not mean that they were too crowded? —Yes; those that had slung hammocks on the hooks were very crowded, and others had to sleep on tables, &c. 48. Were there hooks to hang hammocks on ?—-Yes; but there were not sufficient to hang the whole lot. 49. Do you know anything of the space allowed in a transport for a hammock ? —I could not tell you the exact measurement, sir. 50. I want to get, if possible, at the transport regulations, and to find out whether according to them you were crowded? —I could not answer that question. 51. Supposing it had been desirable to hook all the hammocks up, were there enough hooks? — There was not room to hang all up. 52. Were there hooks enough ?—No, there were not. 53. About the condition of the air in the 'tween decks: was it very bad ?—Very bad indeed, sir. 54. Was any record of the temperature taken ? —None was taken that I am aware of. 55. In what way was the air bad?— There was a very, very bad smell down there in the morning. If you came down from the upper deck you could hardly stand there. 56. What was done in the way of ventilation? —Nothing was done, sir. 57. Nowindsails?—No. 58. What hold were you in?— Pore. 59. Did you apply for windsails ? —I never did. 60. Was it your duty to see to these things at all ? —No, sir. 61. As a non-commissioned officer did you not feel responsible at all for these things?— The sergeant in charge of the mess-room was responsible for that; 62. Well, did you complain to any of them about it?— There were always complaints about the smell down there, but I do not think they could remedy it. 63. I wish you to separate the discontent from an actual complaint. Was there an official complaint made ? —Not that I know of. 64. You are sure there were no windsails down your hold at all ?—Not forward, sir. 65. Any electric fans ?—No. 66. What was the general condition of cleanliness down below ?—Pretty clean, sir. 67. Was reasonable care taken to keep the ship clean ?—Yes ; as well as could be expected. They were well washed out. 68. Was anything left undone that ought to have been done ? —Not down below, sir. 69. Which deck were you on?—On the upper deck. 70. Then, how did the air get into the part of the ship where you were quartered?— There was a big opening where the hatchway was. It was always open, except when raining. 71. Did any other air come in?— Yes ; from the portholes when they were opened. 72. Were they generally closed or opened ?—They were always open in fine weather. 73. Would they be open two days out of three, or one day out of three? —Two days out of three. 74. Who kept them open ?—Ourselves. 75. Then, if the ports were closed it was because the men preferred to have them closed ?— Yes, sir. 76. About the food : were you satisfied with it ?—lt was very bad indeed, sir. 77. Was it part of your duty as quartermaster-sergeant to see to the food ?—I saw it drawn. 78. How often were you on duty for that ?—I used to go myself. The regimental quartermaster attended to that. I was squadron quartermaster. 79. Who represented your squadron: what was his rank? — Regimental quartermastersergeant. 80. He went every day ?—Yes. 81. Had you any duties in the matter at all?—No, none at all. 82. What quality meat was it ?—lt was often green —very bad indeed. 83. Was it the beef or mutton?— Both of it, sir. 84. Were any representations made about the condition of the meat ?—There were always complaints about it, sir. 85. But I mean official complaints ?—I could not tell you. It was reported to the orderly officer every dciv. 86. Who watched the issue of the meat before it was cooked ?—I do not know that. 87.' You do not know whether there were any complaints made when the meat was still uncooked?— Yes ; there were great complaints made on board to the orderly officer. 88. And was that followed up do you know—to whom was the report taken ?—I do not remember. I could not say now, sir. . 89. Was it brought before the officer commanding, or before a Medical Board, or a Board of any kind ?—I think that the matter was reported to Colonel Davies. 90. On many occasions ?—Not always from the whole of us, sir. 91 Have you any idea of bow many cases were reported ?—There were not many. 92! Were there half-a-dozen ?—About that I think. There were not more than that. 93. Was there any effort made to remedy complaints ?—Yes. 94! Well, not only was effort made, but was there success in the effort ?— Yus ;we had bully beef given us.

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