H.—l9b.

46

JW. H. MORTON

49. You would consider such a case as I have instanced when you were going into the plans for the hospital ?—Yes. 50. It was intended for minor surgical cases?— Serious operations would be taken by the motor-ambulance to the Wellington Hospital. 51. You considered that any serious accident cases that occurred at Trentham would not be taken into this hospital?—l did not say "any 7 serious accidents," but. "accidents requiring seidous operations." 52. No, but I mean accidents requiring urgent and immediate treatment?— Cases for immediate treatment would require to go to the hospital out, there. 53. Was it discussed by the Board? Did you go into this question?—l cannot say that those points were considered by me. I think I took it that Dr. Frengley had consulted with others on the subject. 54. The Chairman.] Had you an order of reference upon this matter?—No; 1 do not remember seeing any. 55. You were just called in? —Yes. 56. />/-. Martin.] But tlie subject was discussed by the Board —the possibility of serious accidents at the camp?— Yes; the general use of the hospital was discussed. Its uses were put to us by Dr. Frengley, who, I take it, had consulted With other persons as to the provision which was to be made; and there was the plan of the hospital which was submitted to us for approval. I think it was prepared by the military authorities, and we condemned it. 57. The military authorities prepared the plan?—l think so. 58. Can you tell me the date of that? —I cannot tell you exactly—somewhere about May. 59. Why did you condemn it?— Because of the general arrangement, of the building, and the way the rooms were bound together. 60. How many eases did the military authorities provide for? —The same number. 61. Eighteen?—l think that was the number. Unfortunately I have no correspondence on the matter with which to refresh my memory. 62. Were, you aware that the medical profession of New Zealand subscribed a large sum of money to build a hospital out there?—l have heard so, and know it from the newspapers. 63. Was any 7 representative of the medical profession ever called to a Board meeting?— No. 64. Did you consider any correspondence from them? —I saw none. 65. AA r ere they invited by the Board to give an opinion or to see the plans of the proposed hospital?— That I could not say 7 . Dr. Frengley carried out most of the work in connection with the erection of the hospital, and he may have given such an invitation, but, I cannot say. The question as it, appealed to me most was as to the construction of the building and the materials that should be used, and the question of the drainage. I did make certain suggestions as to the enlargement of some of the rooms, where the men would present themselves for daily examination, and where the men were required to report themselves sick. When the general arrangement, of the building was discussed I concerned myself principally with the drainage. 66. The Chairman!] Your point, of view was as to the building and not as to the hospital? —That is so. 67. As lawyers' say, it was qua building and not qua hospital with you?— Yes. 68. Dr. Martin.] AVhat was the date of the first, meeting of that Board? —I really could not tell you. 1 have nothing in the way of correspondence on tlie subject to refresh my memory. T should say it was some time about May. 69. Have you seen the hospital recently?—No, sir, except from some distance off. 70. If the work had been pushed on it would have been built by the 27th June : is that your opinion?—l am afraid my opinion on that point is not worth anything. The work was, I understand, carried out under the Public Works Department, which let a contract for it, 71. Mr. Ferguson.] Do you consider in connection with that building, which was to cost ,£2,800, that two months was a sufficient period of time to erect it, in, considering the locality, and that, the Public AVorks Department were carrying on large works in the neighbourhood ? Do you think two months was sufficient time for the Department to provide for its erection? —I think that, unless the contractor had taken some very extra and unusual measures, two months would be insufficient. 72. Unless the contract price was such as to allow for a large amount, of extra pushing?— Yes, by working extra time. 73. You said that you were consulted as to the materials to be used. We know that part of the building is lined'with timber, not plaster: was that thoroughly discussed? —I think that was decided upon to enable the, building to be finished quickly. Tt was considered necessary to reduce the amount of plaster to be done, especially in the rooms where patients were not to be treated or examined. 74. As to the soak-pits not, being suitable : have you of your own knowledge any idea that they are insanitary—those that, have been used?—l did not examine them, but lam perfectly satisfied in my own mind that to deposit polluted water in soak-pits day in and day out, for a considerable period must unquestionably lead to contamination of the subsoil air. 75. Ts there likely to be a variation of water-level there? —Yes, with that, loose boulder formation the water percolating through the ground would displace the subsoil air. 76. These pits were 8 ft. square and 14 ft. deep : in the section so far exposed there is clay and gravel below, and we are told that so far there has been no choking?—No; I understood that the water got away freely. They were very careful to prevent solid matter getting down to the bottom of the pits; still, some small portions of grease and solid matter must get into the pits. As a temporary arrangement —even half-temporary and half-permanent—that would be quite satisfactory, provided the pits are not in the vicinity of the buildings.