H.—l9b.

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[j. DA V. LOUCH.

141. Who is responsible for the design? —1 think the City Engineer, Mr. Morton. I think the plan was prepared by the military authorities. 142. A scheme, 1 suppose, was suggested by tlie military authorities, and Mr. Morton worked il up?—No; 1 think he suggested the scheme and the-military authorities worked it up. 143. You got it as a complete scheme to go on with?-—Yes. There were some slight modifications. 1.44. Was that, completed by day labour?—lf was. The skilled work was done by our staff and the excavation by the military authorities. 145. This is in connection with the hutments?— Yes. 146. When was it completed?— Some little time ago. 147. Before the place was occupied?— The hutments were occupied as constructed in most cases. 148. You say the drainage was completed a little while ago?— That is the sewer drainage. There is no system of storm-water drainage, 149. Was sewer drainage provided in connection with the hutments as the hutments were occupied?— The drainage was constructed simultaneously with the erection of the hutments. 150. They went on together? —Yes. 151. It was not for you to design or recommend any scheme of drainage, was it?—lt was the duty of the Engineer-in-Chief to design it, but he was not consulted. 152. You would simply have to carry it out?—l simply had to carry it out, 153. When you say there is no system of storm-water drainage, do you regard that as a defect?— Yes, 1 do. 154. Is there provision made for carrying off the water from the roofs of the huts, or does it just stream down (lie sides when there is rain ?—The eaves of the hutments have a considerable projection, which throws the water clear of the buildings. It does not stream down the sides of the building. 155. The water is all thrown into the space between the huts!— Yes, and the ground is very porous there, consisting of a gravelly subsoil. 156. The water soon runs away?—lt soon runs away, unless the surface soil is tramped into a muddy state by the large number of men. 157. Then it, becomes impervious? —Yes. 158. You think that if some system of disposing of the storm-water were Introduced there would be an improvement ?—I understand it is proposed to introduce a system of storm-water drainage —#n fact, I believe it is almost in hand now. 159. You have to do with the wiring for the lighting?— Yes; my staff carries it out. 160. Is there anything in connection with that that you would like to remark upon ?—No. 161. Have you had any difficulties to encounter ?—There were difficulties in getting material and plant. 162. Had it to be imported?—A considerable quantity had to be imported from Australia. 163. Mr. Ferguson.] What is connected with the sewerage system?— The latrines and the cookhouses. 164. Are the latrines on the water system? Is it only the urinals that are connected?— Only the urinals. There is no water-closet system. 165. The urinals are connected, and the cookhouses? —And the washing-up places. All the ordinary soil-water is carried away. 166. The ablution water?—Tt is all carried away. The drainage system is shown on the plan. 167. In what respect do you think it could be improved upon —I mean, the sewerage system? —I think we shall have to disconnect the storm-water entirely from the sewage. The storm-water evidently flows down the sewage trenches and collects in the soak-pit, 168. The Chairman.] How many soak-pits are attached to the system? Do they all go to the septic tank? —There is no septic tank connected with the main drainage. There will be a septic tank in connection with the hospital drainage. 169. Will you describe what the sewerage system is?—l can describe it on the plan. [Drainage system explained on the plan.] 170. What is the name of the Architect?— Mr. John Campbell. 171. Is he in Wellington?—l think so. 172. Are you satisfied with the latrine arrangements, or can you suggest improvements? What, in your opinion would be improvements? —I think there should be a urinal to every two huts, for night service only—between every two hutments. I believe provision is being made for that now. 173. Dr. Martin.] Something in the nature of a bucket urinal?— Yes. I do not, think, the present arrangement is at all sanitary. 174. What is. the present arrangement?— Simply a, bucket on the ground, emptied every night, and some disinfectant is sprinkled. I think the urinals are too far away from the hutments. I may 7 say that, I understand the whole matter of the construction of the camp and the drainage is now in the hands of the Engineer-in-Chief, having been referred to him within the last few days:. I mean the question of reading and metalling and draining. 175. Mr. Ferguson.] Is the Engineer-in-Chief taking it in hand himself?— Mr. Holmes himself. 176. Mr. Salmond.] Have you hitherto had anything to do with the roading of the camp?— No. 1 was simply consulted some time ago as to tarring and sanding, but there was nothing to tar and sand :it was mud. There was nothing to tar ;it was impossible.