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J. P. FEENGLEY.I

55

H.—l9b.

145. And what would be the number of men in the camp ?—We were assuming about four thousand in camp. 146. Then for seven thousand it would not be sufficient ?—lt would require to be extended. 147. The Chairman.] Is the 1 per cent, a constant factor or per annum ? —A constant factor. But that forty in number must be regarded as being distributed between the base hospital and the receiving hospital. 148. Is it not a very substantial building for a temporary or semi-temporary camp ? —I regard it as a substantial building. I advised that it would be unwise to put up anything in the nature of a partially permanent hospital structure. It should be as sound as it could reasonably be made. 149. One that would be available for a camp if it is continued there for two or three years ? — Certainly. 150. It is not intended that sick-parades shall always take place near this hospital ?- -That I understood was the view at the time. Tho number of sick is so very great at present that it would be necessary to make other arrangements, or else to make the men congregate in one place. With ordinary sick the men would go down there to be examined. 151. Dr. Martin.] You assume that Wellington is going to act as a base hospital to the camp? —Yes. 152. Why assume that: Wellington is a civil hospital, and has just room for civil patients? —It is a civil hospital, but it is not a civil hospital in the same sense as a civil hospital at Home. The expenditure for civil hospitals here is made up out of consolidated revenue and local rates. 153. The Chairman!] From, the, General Government? —Partially. 154. They are under the local bodies ?—They arc controlled by the local bodies, but half their money comes from the consolidated revenue, and therefore the Defence Department would pay and are paying the cost of every person admitted to the local hospital. Further, Wellington Hospital is absolutely equipped in every direction, with X rays and everything else. In order to work the hospital at the camp to eliminate entirely the making-use of Wellington Hospital you would have to put up a building costing something in the way of £10,000. 155. Dr. Martin.] Hospital marquees ? —That would be for an entirely temporary camp. 156. They have been used entirely from the beginning of the war in France? —But I am afraid with the feeling in New Zealand at, present New Zealand would not stand the troopers being treated in tents. 157. Coming back to the 29th June : you inspected the hutments, and you said it was found that in one hut there was overcrowding ? —That is so —-five more than the number ought to be. 158. And you drew the attention of the Medical Officer of the camp to that fact ?—Yes, he counted them himself. 159. You visited the hospital, as Health Officer and not as military Medical Officer ? —Yes. 160. Did you make a report to the Health Department that you found overcrowding ? —I reported to the Director of Military Hospitals, Dr. Valintine. 161. Was he at that time in the same position ?—He was. 162. Was any action taken by the Health Department in that matter? —I cannot say what action was taken. 163. It would be under your Department ? —Yes, it would be. 164. Did you see, that some action would be taken ? —I did not. I did not go out personally to the camp. 165. But you were in the Health. Department at that time, and you found things were not right: did you take any action ?—No, not beyond reporting to the, Director of Military Hospitals. 166. Cannot you understand that you and Dr. Valintine are the heads of the Public Health Department ? —Yes; but we have no standing in the camp except under the new arrangement as Director of Military Hospitals and Deputy Director. I went there in the capacity of an individual who originally was concerned to design the hutments. 167. The Health Department found the huts overcrowded, and I want to know what action was taken to prevent a repetition of that ? —I think it would be necessary to ask Colonel Valintine, to whom I directed my report. 168. Your responsibility ended when you reported to Colonel Valintine ? —Yes. 169. You never inquired further in the matter ? —No. 170. Can you tell me whether there has been any scarlet fever in the camp from the time the camp was opened till the present day ? —One case was discovered amongst the measles. 171. Will you give the date, of that ? —No, I cannot. 172. Recently ?—Yes, and removed to the Infectious Diseases Hospital; and another one within the last few days. 173. From Trentham ?—I think, from Kaiwarra. That was also removed to the Infectious Diseases Ward. 174. And can you tell me what date the patient was taken from Kaiwarra and sent to the Infectious Diseases Hospital ?—-No, but I will get the dates. 175. And would you find out if all those who came in contact with that man were isolated ? —Yes. 176. Can you tell me whether any man who came in contact with this last scarlet-fever case has been discharged to go home or allowed free ? —There is a special officer in charge, of those cases. 177. lam asking you as Deputy Director of Public Health ?—I do not know. 178. Could I get that information ?—Yes, from Dr. Goldstein. 179. Is it under the Public Health Department ? —Yes. 180. Was there any other case of scarlet fever ?—Not that I know of. 181. Not in the Wellington District affecting any military man ? —Not that I know of. 182. Any soldier ?—Not that I know of.

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