71

H.—6c.

CAPTAIN HECKLER.]

My men were the most cramped of any. They had seventeen at table, and the others had fourteen or fifteen sitting at a mess-table. They had as much sleeping-accommodation as what they had when they went over in the " Drayton Grange." There was never a complaint on the " Drayton Grange." The quarters were scrubbed out every day in my men's quarters, and likewise all the others. We had inspection every morning at 10 o'clock, by Colonel Davies himself, or by .Colonel Ghaytor, as the case might be. I inspected my men's quarters previously. The only complaint made was about throwing rubbish in the scuppers, and I advised them not to do it again. I know that the men were what is called lousy. They were in that state before they left. But a soldier never minds that. There was no rabble. The discipline was good. I think that is all I have to say, sir. 8. I understood you to say that your portion of your troop were put up on board to make up the number required ? —The required number to fill the boat, yes. 9. Do you know how they arrived at the nnmber to put on board the boat ?—I could not say. Major Andrew got a wire to send eighty-six men, and we were off at half an hour's notice. 10. What I want to get at is the question of overcrowding ?—The transport officer at Durban arrived at the numbers. 11. Were you told that it was to make up the required number?—l was told that. I was attached to the South Island battalion, and when I reported myself to Colonel Chaytor he said, " Well, Ido not know about it; but you had better come, though." I then had to get rations for the men, and everything was bustle. This was at Newcastle. He said, " You had better come along. Colonel Davies is making arrangements down the line." I never saw Colonel Davies until 12. You say there were measles among your men before you left Newcastle ?—Yes, sir; and also influenza. . , , . , „ 13. Were any of the men who went down with you from Newcastle sick >. —JNo, sir. 14. None of them reported themselves sick ? —No, sir. 15. So far as you know, they were not sick ?—Yes, sir. 16. Had any of these men who went down with you, to your knowledge, measles before they started from Newcastle?— Well, there were only five-and-twenty from my own squadron there, and others from other squadrons. I could not say positively if they had. 17. You say discipline was good on board ?—Yes, sir. Iβ! You have made other return voyages from South Africa to New Zealand ?—Yes, sir. 19. How many ?—Once, returning. 20. What ship was that in?— The " Delphic." _ 21. Was the discipline as good on the " Britannic "as on the " Delphic ?—Yes, quite. 22 When the officers went round the men's quarters, was it what would be called a perfunctory visit, or do you think the officers did their duty ? Did they seek out causes of comPa 1 123 Did they go round in an indifferent manner?—No, sir. They went round and asked for complaints, and quarters were always visited before the general inspection. And then Colonel •Davies used to say " Have you men any complaints? " There was only one occasion. One of my men said he had not enough to eat. Colonel Davies said to me, " Has this man reported to you? I said, " No, sir." I said, " A]few minutes ago, when I asked for complaints, he never said a word." 24. What contingent did you first go in ?—Fourth, sir. 25. What rank were you ? —I went as a trooper. 26 And you rose from the ranks to a commission ?— Yes. I rose from trooper to sergeant in the Fourth ; I was made a lieutenant in the Seventh, and served six months; and was then made a captain in the Tenth. . . 27. And you know what discipline in the ranks is as well as of a commissioned officer '. —xes, 28. Do you consider that the officers in the " Drayton Grange " looked after the men as well as the officers looked after you when you were in the ranks ?—There was no doubt at all; the officers did all they could for the men. 29. You think any assertion on the part of the men that the officers did not look alter tneir men was unfounded ?—Yes, sir, I do. 30 What were your duties when you were captain of the day ?—To visit the guard twice a day and twice at night ;to see to the issue of rations, and that sort of thing; and go round on the general inspection with the colonel. 31 Where were your sentries posted ?—ln various places. 32. Had you any squadrons on the lower deck?—l could not tell you exactly that. 1 did not visit all the sentries. I always visited the guard. . 33 Was there anybody over the latrines ?—Yes, sir. There was a sentry over the latrines. 34! Was it part of your duty as captain of the day to inspect the latrines ?—Yes, sir. 35. In connection with the colonel ?—Yes, sir. 36 Yes • but as captain of the day ?—lt was not compulsory. 37' Did you ever visit the latrines ?—Yes, sir ; because the sergeant reported to me one day that they were not clean. Some men had been abusing them in some manner, and I ordered the sentries to see that the men did not do it again. 38. Do you know who was in charge of the latrines—who was the officer or the non-com-missioned officer who was in charge of the latrines ?—The quartermaster. 39 Do you know which quartermaster?— Quartermaster Lewm. 40. He would have the general supervision; but each day was there anybody whose business it was to see they were kept clean ?—Yes ;an orderly sergeant, sir.