T. MCCRISTELL.]

31

H.—198.

147. That was successful. When they commenced to build the hutments they put down a more elaborate system of drainage, which was to do for the whole of the hutments? —Yes. 148. But in connection with that system, in your opinion the soak-pit they put down was not sufficiently large, the result being that it soon got choked with grease and other matter, and the fluid backed up through the system? —Yes. 149. As soon as you discovered this you drew the attention of the Medical Officer, Dr. Finch, and of the Commandant to it?— Yes. 150. And in your opinion, as I follow it, had a different system been adopted and a number of small soak-pits been constructed, with less length of drains and suitable intercepting pits, it would have been more satisfactory?— Much more: that is to say, if each row of huts, as you see them on the plan, was connected with its own soak-pit, we should have better soakage. 151. Did the Principal Medical Officer ever inspect with you or with your sergeant the old soak-pits and the old sy 7 stem of drainage—say, in October or November?— During the construction of those soak-pits in October the Director of Medical Services came out and had a look at what I was doing. Then the senior Medical Officer in camp also was going round continuously 7 . Right up till about the end of February or March I used to do the daily round, but I found it took too much time, and I had to give it, best and get the quartermaster-sergeant to do it. 152. Up till that, time did the sanitation officer go round with you, inspecting the soak-pits with you?— Yes; he used to pull the manuka aside and inspect the soak-pits. 153. So that up to the time that you personally gave up going round they were inspected by the Medical Officer as well as yourself?— Yes. 154. Since that time you cannot speak personally?—No, only from the reports' I got from the quartermaster-sergeant. 155. Dr. Martin.] Up till a fortnight ago you were in charge of the sanitation of the camp : you are responsible for it?—No, the Medical Officer is responsible. I am at all times bound down by the Medical Officer's opinion. 156. You are responsible for the clothing and feeding of the men and the sanitation of the camp?—So far as the sanitation affects the military point of view. 157. You are responsible ?—For the cleanliness of the camp. Beyond that Ido not go. The Medical Officer steps in there. 158. Arc you still in charge of the sanitation?— No. I am still in charge of the cleanliness of the camp. 159. You have been advised, then, that you are not in charge of the sanitation?—No, I have not, I am in charge of the sanitation of the camp so far as the cleanliness of the latrines and the cookhouses and everything else is concerned. But as for looking after the drains and such things', Ido not know who the person is. Since Dr. Finch came they have a man who goes round at all hours of the day. 160. What is his name?—l do not know. 161. You are in charge of the sanitation of the camp just now?— Yes. 162. You daily inspect the latrines?— Yes. every day. 163. The cookhouses?— Yes. 164. And the lines?—l do not inspect all the lines personally every day. 165. You go round the whole camp at least twice a week?— Yes. I visit pretty well the whole of it twice a week; but I make a point every day of going to some particular part of the camp. 166. Every latrine in the camp is inspected?— Yes', daily; and I personally see that the seats are cleaned every day and scrubbed. The latrines I attend to every day without fail. Other parts of the camp I do not inspect every day. 167. Mr. Gray.] Did you say that things went on all right up to the 29th May?— Yes, that is when our trouble seems to have started. 168. Do you know when the sewerage system, was completed? —Some of it was in workingorder then, complete. 1.69. Can you tell us when it was first used?—On the 29th May. 170. Had you any hand in the designing of this system ?—No, I was not asked a question about it. 171. When anything has come under your notice that seemed to require improvement, about sanitation or sewerage, have you mentioned it—if not in writing, verbally—to the Principal Medical Officer or the Medical Officer of the dav?—l mentioned it verbally in the case of that soak-pit being blocked up. I mentioned that to Dr. Finch, Colonel Moriee, and others. 1.72. And that was all? —I got to work on it myself. 1.73. In respect of any other matter —sewerage or otherwise —have you reported any defect? T mentioned the defect of the grease-traps lo Dr. Finch or Dr. Moriee, and T mentioned the matter of the silt and one or two other things. 174. Have any of your recommendations or suggestions been adopted?— There is the one in connection with the cookhouses. lam afraid they are too close, 175. You have mentioned what you consider a defect to the Medical Officer?— Yes. 176. You tell us that it is impossible for you to go round and accompany the Medical Officer on his round every day?— Absolutely impossible. 177. You always see that some responsible officer accompanies him?— Yes. 178. And you get a report from that officer?— Yes. 179. You have said that you have a sufficient, staff. Is' it efficient as well as sufficient?— Yes. 180. A capable staff?— Yes. 181. You have no complaint to make about the way in which they do their duties?— No.