37

H.—l9b.

E. W. HOLMES.j

11. Have you to look into the drainage scheme at all?—Y T es. 12. That, had already been under the charge or had been directed by some of the Health authorities—l think \)r. Finch? —Yes. 1 think so; but 1 think more directly under Mr. Jickell, of Palmerston North, who has been attending to tlie sewage system; and 1 think Mr. Morton has done something towards the system of water drainage, but not very much. 13. Have you been over the camp and seen the sewage arrangements?—Y'es. 14. Of course, we cannot look at this camp from the point of view of an old town that has raised large loans to put in the most modern system, and, making allowance for that, what is your view of the provision that now exists for the sanitation of the camp?—As regards the collection of sewage from the kitchens and washing-places, that appears to me to possess all that is possible. The disposal of that sewage would offer some difficulties, but 1 am now having investigations made. With regard to (he soil, that is now being dealt with by the pan system. I have not looked fully into that yet. 15. You have seen the nature of the ground there?— Yes. 16. There is a slight stratum of clay, and then below that conies gravel to a considerable depth. Is that proper soil in which to dispose of sewage in the way it lias been disposed of in the past? —J think so, as long as it can be got to soak away; and as long as there is no great amount of extra matter with it it has a chance of getting away; but i think great, difficulty will be experienced in getting rid of it in that way owing to the ground becoming clogged with solid particles. 17. It will stop filtration?— Yen. 18. Then you have under consideration means for a more effective disposal?— Yes. 19. Although you say it will be one of difficulty?— Yes. 20. With regard to roading, you saw what had been done there?— Yes. 21. And you know- that during Ihe winter months there was a large amount of traffic rendered necessary because of the erection of those hutments in addition to (he camp traffic?— Yes. 22. Do you consider thai during that period it would have been possible to have put the main roads into anything like order? —It would have been possible. I think most, difficulty has occurred through its not being realized what was actually required to deal with such a large number of men. The circumstances of the place on the whole are worse than an ordinary town, inasmuch as the men and the amount of traffic are so much concentrated. 23. 1 suppose it may- be more compared to the state of things you would get in a diggings " rush "?—Something like that. 24. Mr. Ferguson.] Do you consider that any insanitary or unhealthy condition lias arisen out of the drainage up to the present—have the levels and soak-pits been sufficient to carry off all sewage, or has any insanitary difficulty arisen? —I have not had the opportunity of examining the part of tlie camp occupied by the tents- —'I have only had time to go over the part occupied by 7 the huts. 25. The Chairman.] Can you tell us about that, because the tents have been practicallyimmune from trouble?—As far as the drainage has been done il appears to me to be fairlygood—nothing practically wrong with it. 26. It is not the real point of danger that a continuance of the present arrangements would bring about?— No. not yet, because as a soakage-pit has become clogged they have filled it in and shifted the point of discharge. 27. Mr. Ferguson ,j Have you in your Department particulars as to the acreage in the camp covered by the buildings and tents, and the population per acre?—We could get that. I do not, know whether any 7 one has worked it out. 28. The Chairman.] Would it be possible to get some one in the Department to prepare a general sketch showing where the tents are, the huts', the horse-lines, and where the racecourse comes in? —Yes, we will get that done. 29. There will be particular parts marked where the latrine arrangements are and the washbasins?— Yes, we can easily 7 get that supplied within two or three days. 30. Dr. Martin.] Do you think that any young soldier sleeping in those hutments would suffer any ill effect, from sleeping on the floor?—I do not think so; I have slept on many worse places in the course of my ordinary 7 vocation. 31. You do not think they would suffer any harm? —No. 32. Do you think the hutments should be lined?—l do not think it necessary. 33. Do you think a hundred men in each hutment too many?—l have not, gone into that. 34. Mr. Salmond.] Are you preparing any scheme for the alteration and improvement of the camp?—No; we are merely carrying out a scheme that, has been prepared with regard to the position of the huts. That has already been outlined and approved by the Defence Department, 35. But the huts are already built except seven?—No; we have twenty-two more huts to build. 36. And what other buildings?—We have to build some further kitchens that are required, and washing-places, and places for washing up culinary utensils', and drying-rooms. 37. Instead of the present marquee?— Yes. 38. And any other buildings?— There is a destructor to be built to deal with camp-refuse, and I have heard talk about a disinfector for dealing with infected clothing. 39. Any additional system of surface drainage?— Yes, we are putting in a complete system of surface drainage. 40. Is that being put in hand at, once?— Yes ; probably to be started to-day. 41. How much will it cost?—l could no! tell you. We hail a rough estimate that the cost would be ,£28,000. 42. That is the whole of the improvements, including buildings, surface drainage, and roading?—Yes, and sanitation.