I.—7a.

32

j.T. CONLEY.

24. There was some complaint about ventilation? —These bars were originally there when the prisoners went over — every year we get a certain number of prisoners over —the bars were put up for those prisoners, not for these men. The windows open diagonally. The bars were up two or three days; then they complained about having no ventilation, and the officer ordered the bars should be taken up again. 25. The windows were not nailed? —No, sir, never nailed. 26. Any ventilation coming in through the windows? —Yes, 4 in. top and bottom J it is a lc ng barrack-room, and really it was too draughty. We have that complaint from the Territorials —that the place is inclined to be draughty. 27. No ground for complaint on that score? —None whatever. As a matter of fact, I gave the order for the windows to be opened, and I have propped them open, and as soon as I left they pulled them to. In the non-commissioned officers' rooms there are two doors and a passage; the passage is about 7ft. or Bft. high, and then there are two doors; but a man in one room could throw a ball into another room over the little passage. 28. Hon. Mr. Rigg.] It was in the winter-time?— Yes. 29. Was the weather cold? —Well, we had one or two oold daysj for instance, the l~>th June was a Sunday : that was the coldest day we had that winter. ■'50. The Chairman,] Do you remember the days they were put in the rooms by themselves? — About the end of June. 31. Do you remember mi this particular cold day whether they were shut up: were they doing outdoor work?—No, it was a Sunday. They were allowed out for exercise. As a matter of fact, I had to turn them out for exercise and turn them out to wash. 32. Hon. Mr. Allen.] Do you know definitely were they doing their own fatigue duty?— They would not clean up the mess table. 33. Would they clean up at night? —They would Dot sweep the floor after meals until I or one of the staff stood over them. 34. What about oleaning up alter sleeping? It. was always a trouble, sir. Charles Mom examined. (No. 8.) 1. The Chairman.] What is your name? —Charles Moir. 2. Your occupation?— Bombardier in the Royal New Zealand Artillery. 3. llon. Mr. Allen.] Do you remember some of the regulations, the first set of regulations, being posted up in the barracks? —Yes, sir-. I was there at the time, and the regulations were posted up. Two men came the first day and I gave them a copy each. Then four men came the following day, and 1 had to put the two men along with the four into the big barrack-room, and I posted some copies on the wall and some as well on the table. 4. And were they defaced I—Afterwards1 —Afterwards they kept disappearing one by one, and had to be replaced from time to time. 1 remember replacing at least four after that. 5. Do you know who defaced them?—We could not find out. It was, of course, never done while any one was present. 6. Were yon present when the Magistrate was there? —Yes. 7. Do you remember Williams asking for counsel? —I was not in Court all the time; I was only in as a witness. 8. You were not in when the Court proceedings ended? —f simply gave evidence in the Court and came out. '.). Were these men insulting to you?—At times —more in manner than what was said; they were very careful. 10. Did they use had language among themselves] Yes. a good deal. You could hear it at night, liul you could not tell exactly who it was. 11. What was their general demeanour? —With a few their demeanour was insubordinate all the time; there were a few who got better. Some improved some improved a good deal in their manner. 12. The Chairman.] You know the food that was supplied?—l know the quality of it, sir. 13. Was it the same as supplied to you?— Exactly the same. The tea that they complained of, which they said was dishwater. I can assure you it was very good tea; in fact, if anything it was on the strong side. The quality of the food was very good indeed. 14. In your opinion had they anything to complain of? —I am quite satisfied that they were well treated in every way.

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