41

J. CAMPBELL j

H.—l9b.

13. But the suggestions of the Board were all followed out in the subsequent huts?— They were. I may point out that one omission was a small fillet under the corrugated iron at the floor-level to stop the draught getting up between the corrugations. That was a simple matter, and was put right. That was one of the recommendations of the Board, and the Defence, Department's plan did not show that. 14. Do you say that the huts were afterwards provided with those fillets?— Yes. 15. Did the Board consider the question of how much space should be allowed between the two huts?— Yes. I think we measured the distance, and we considered that by lowering the height of the walls considerably more sunshine would get in between the Tints; but I do not think we altered the distance between the huts as given by the Defence Department. We reduced the height of the walls from 10 ft, to 7 ft., thus allowing more air and sunshine to get in between the rows of huts. 16. Had you given you a certain area of ground with the indication that out of that area so-many huts had to be got in to provide for a certain number of men ?—AVe received the plan from the Defence Department showing the area on which they were going to make huts. We did not see any reason for enlarging that area. 17. They gave \ 7 ou the area and told you they wanted so-many huts on that area?— Yes. AYe could see the huts were not shown too close together, and we could see there was ample free air-space round each hut and ample sunshine getting in. 10. Dr. Martin.] Do you think it was any hardship for a young recruit to sleep on the floor of those huts ? —Not at all. 19. You did not consider that a hundred men to each hut would be too many?— Each man in a hut has 300 cubic feet of air-space, while each man in a tent has only about 60 ft. In a tent each man has somewhere about 15 ft. of floor-space, while in the huts each man has 31 ft. of floor-space—that is, allowing eight men to a tent. 20. The Chairman.] You know something of the new hospital in course of erection? —Yes, I prepared the plans. 21. AVhen did you get instructions? —I really could not say the date from memory. The plans were completed on the 29th March, and I do not think it took longer than three or four weeks to prepare the plans and specifications. 22. What guidance had you as to the requirements you were to fulfil?—lhe Advisory Board. 23. The same Board as for the hutments?— Yes. 24. Who was the personalty?— Dr. Frengley, of the Health Department; Mr. Morton, City Engineer; and myself. We had plans submitted to us again by the Defence Department showing the number of beds required. We provided for an isolation ward, which was not shown in the Defence Department's plan, and we provided for a treatment duty room for performing minor operations, and other small additions were made. 25. Dr. Martin.] How many beds did you provide for the isolation ward? —Four beds. 26. And the main ward in the hospital? —Ten beds in the main ward, and two rooms with single beds separate for, I suppose, special cases : sixteen beds in all. 27. The Chairman.] I suppose Dr. Frengley represented the medical side of the case. Were no medical men outside Dr. Frengley consulted in the matter?—l think not. 28. Dr. Martin.] AVas this the hospital that the medical profession subscribed a large sum for? —That I could not say. It is generally understood that they 7 did. 29. There is no suggestion that any member of the medical profession who subscribed was on the Board? —No. 30. You never received any suggestions or plans from the medical profession? —No, we did not. 31. The Chairman.] The plans were completed on the 29th March : can you tell us the date when the building was begun?— No. The erection was not under my control at all—it passed entirely from my hands. 32. Mr. Ferguson.] To the District Engineer?— Yes. 33. And he would call for tenders? —Yes. 34. In the acceptance possibly he would consult you?—l am a member of the Tenders Board, and we recommended a certain tender, and I think ft was accepted. 35. The Chairman.] Can you say when that was?— No. 36. Mr. Ferguson.] Have you anything to do with the superintendence and erection?- —It is left entirely to Mr. Louch. 37. If he thought fit to make alterations he would have authority to do so? —He would consult me. 38. Some portions of the building are plastered and some wood-lined?— Yes. 39. Did the Advisory Board decide upon that, or is that done by yourself? —The Advisory Board knew all about, what was decided as regards the finished walls. I think I myself suggested plastered walls. The first intention was to line the whole building so as to get it done quicker, but I said it could be plastered just as quickly as wood-lined, and that it would be better to plaster the walls, because if the lining shrank it would be very insanitary, and I adopted a quickdrying plaster, which would be carried out as quickly as the lining and make a more sanitary job. 40. Would it not have been, better if the whole building had been plastered?— Certainly; but we did not think it was necessary. Plaster also costs a little more than lining. 41. The Chairman.] I suppose the hospital is not designed with a view to great permanence? —It would last as long as an ordinary timber house. 42. Mr. Ferguson.] Then, as to the operating-room, was any special advice taken as to that beyond Dr. Frengley?—No special advice

6—H. 19b.