H.— 6c.

92

TROOPER S. GARDINER.

880. During the afternoon do you remember if the men took every advantage of going up on deck, or did they hang about the 'tween decks ?—A great many of them stayed down below when the decks were wet. 881. But on a fine day did they take advantage of it ?—Most of them did. 882. Did you notice the men who preferred to hang about below ?—I cannot remember them.

Saturday, 23rd August, 1902. Trooper Sidney Gardiner sworn and examined.* (No. 30.) 1. The Chairman. J Will you tell us your name? —Sidney Gardiner. 2. Were you a member of a New Zealand contingent ?—Yes, sir : the Eighth. 3. What squadron?—E squadron. 4. Did you return on the troopship " Britannic " ?—-Yes, sir. 5. What was your occupation before you enlisted ?—Bushman and miner. 6. You have volunteered to come and give evidence?— Yes, sir. 7. There have been certain allegations made as to the quality of the food and the general conveniences on board the steamer: do you wish to speak about that ?—Yes, sir. 8. If you will please tell the Commission of what you yourself know by your own observation we shall be glad to hear it ?—There was the hospital, for one thing, sir. 1 was in there, and I should say it was very bad. I left the hospital at Albany,of my own accord, and went ashore to buy a lot of things to eat coming over. We could not eat the food we were getting. 9. Where-—in the hospital ?—No, sir. 10. Have you done with the hospital ?—There was a very bad smell there always. 11. About the food ?—There were complaints made, but they never seemed to be taken any notice of. I was mess orderly, and I made complaints. There was a lot of stew which was simply meat put into water without being properly cooked. There was no taste in it. It seemed to be water with meat put in, and only about half-cooked. Very often the meat was tainted. As to the sleeping-accommodation, men had to sleep where they could. There did not seem to be enough room down below. At our table alone there were supposed to be twelve men, and there was only sleeping-accommodation for about seven. The blankets that we got were in a terrible state. I think that is about all. .. .. 12. You have nothing else you want to deal with ?—I think that is all. 13. Were you satisfied with everything else, then ?—I would not complain of anything else ; those I have mentioned were the worst. The tea and coffee I never drank. I could not drink it. It was terrible stuff; we used to throw it away. 14. Do you remember when you were admitted to hospital ?—I am not sure of the date— about five days before we got to Albany. 15. What was the matter with you ? —I hurt my back. 16. And you say the food in the hospital was very bad?— The hospital food was all right, but the smell was terrible. I was only there a few days when I caught cold, so I left the hospital. 17. What do you mean by a bad smell ? —lt used to smell like a latrine. 18. Was there a latrine close to the hospital ?—Yes, sir, I think there was one just on top. 19. On the other deck? —I think it was the hospital latrine. When I was up there it was in a very bad state. 20. Did the smell come from the latrine ?—I do not know where the smell came from. The latrine was just above the hospital on the deck above. You went up some steps from the hospital to it. 21. Was it on the same deck as the hospital ? —I would say it was above it. 22. On a different deck altogether?— You went up steps. It was part of the hospital, only you had to go up steps. 23. Was it on the deck above the hospital?—lt was not exactly upon the other deck. You went up about nine or ten steps from the hospital. It was only connected with the hospital. As far as I could see, it was above the hospital. 24. On a different deck ?—Well, I should say it was above the deck on which the hospital was. 25. What complaint have you to find with the hospital itself?— There was a smell, sir. 26. You said you were in the hospital and it was very bad?— Yes, the smell was. And at night the men were calling for things, and there did not seem to be enough attendants. 27. How many patients were in hospital with you?—l could not say. I did not go over one side. 28. How many attendants were there in the hospital ?—I could not say, I am sure. 29. You have sworn the attendance was very bad ? —At night, sir. 30. How many patients were there?—l have no idea, sir. 31. How many attendants ?—About six or eight. 32. Not more than six or eight ?—This is about as many as I could see. 33. We want to know how many attendants were there to prove your statement ?—Well, I would not swear to how many were there. 34. You do not know ?—I do not know how many patients there were; but at night they used to be calling for drinks, and all sorts 35. Did the attendants neglect their duty ?—No, sir. I should say there were not enough attendants.

* This evidence was sent to witness to revise, but was not returned.