TROOPER W. W. CKAIG.j

89

H.—6c.

752. What was the result?— Two or three days after, or on the next day, we got the fresh water. 753. Then, as soon as you asked for it you got it?—We got it then. 754. That was the first time you asked for it ?—Yes. 755. Do you know of anybody who asked the non-commissioned officers for fresh water to wash clothes during the voyage and did not get it ?—I do not. .. . . Trooper William Wbstwood Ceaig examined on oath. (No. 28.) 756. The Chairman.] What contingent did you belong to?— 1 went over in the Seventh details in the "Cornwall," and joined the Eighth afterwards in A squadron. 757. What was your occupation before you joined?—A painter. 758. You have volunteered to give evidence as to the accommodation, the food, and the dissatisfaction in the " Britannic " : what do you complain of?—ln the first place, I did not go out there expecting luxuries. I have roughed it before. We did not expect luxuries coming back, but we expected a little better treatment than we got. When we first got on board we went to our deck. I think it was deck No. 5. It was the first deck down in the 'tween decks. There was a fair amount of room, but not enough. We were sleeping on the tables and on the floor, and when they got a lot of sickness they mad 6 a hospital on that part of the deck. They took away 20 ft. lengthwise and half the ship across. Of course, we were all jammed into the other part, and it caused much inconvenience, and we could not sleep down below, and had to go on deck. Another thing was, I think the meat itself when it came up seemed to be all right, but it was not cooked properly, and we could not eat it. I myself bought food from the engineers' mess. Of course, when the officers came down we complained; but there did not seem to be much attention paid to it. Whether it was the want of space in the cooks' galley Ido not know, but I believe that was it. We had some fish once, which was brought up from below somewhere and put down on the port side of the deck, near the latrine. This latrine got blocked, and overflowed while the fish was there. Also the dogs came along and pump-shipped on it, and that was cooked for us. We took that up to Colonel Davies on the bridge deck. The food was not very good. It was very bad. We got rice two or three times, and there were maggots in it, also in the apples. I think that is about all I have to say. If the food had been cooked right Ido not think there would have been many complaints. ■,759. Do I understand you to say that at first you had fairly good room?— Yes, fairly good room. .760. Until when?—l cannot give dates. It was about three days before we got into Albany. 761. Then they enlarged the hospital ?—Yes, before we got to Albany. 762. Could they enlarge it anywhere else ? —I do not think so. 763. Who was to blame : was it the doctor ?—I do not know. 764. Was it wrong to enlarge the hospital?—No; but we were jammed up. 765. Are you sure it was before you got to Albany ? —I am not sure. 766. Was it before you got to Melbourne ? —Yes. 767. You are sure of that ?—Yes. 768. Gould the hospital be put elsewhere ? —No, there was nowhere else ; but every one was jammed up. 769. It was a misfortune that they had to enlarge the hospital ?—Yes. 770. You do not blame the officers?—No, sir. 771. Who do you blame? —I suppose it is the ship. They should not have had so many men on board, and they should have had a larger hospital. 772. What about having to go on deck ?—When they enlarged the hospital ? 773. Yes? —We had no room below. 774. How many slept on deck?— There was a good few of us. 775. Did the hospital extend beyond the table at which you had your dinner ?-—They pulled the tables away altogether. 776. Was your table taken away?—No; it was left standing. 777. Was your hammock near the table?—lt was over the table. 778. How were you crowded, then ? —The other men used to come up and make a rush. 779. Were you obliged to give up your place ?—No. 780. You were not compelled to leave your hammock—you had a prior claim to it ?—I had. 781. Voluntarily you abandoned the place? —Yes ; because it was too close. There was about 18 in. between our hooks. 782. And that was wrong?— Yes. 783. Do you know the transport regulations ?—No. 784. Do you know what space is provided for soldiers ?—No. 785. Do you think that you were entitled to more than the transport regulations provided ?— Well, I do not know. 786. If the transport regulations say you should have 18 in., and you have 18 in., have you a right to complain ?—No. 787. You were in the pay of the Imperial Government?— Yes. . .- -788. You were paid as an Imperial soldier?— Yes. /89. Would you be liable to Imperial transport regulations ?—We would be liable. 790. And if they give you 18 in. does not that put you in the position of complaining of receiving that to which you were entitled?— Yes. 791. If the transport regulations provide less room?—I hope they do not. 792. But supposing they do, what then ? Might I tell you that the transport regulations only give you 16 in. ?—That would be about the width, I suppose.

12— H. 6c.