H.—l9b.

98

[c. S. BADGER.

9. When did he die?—On the 4th July, at the camp. 10. Do you know when he went on sick-parade?— Yes, I have a copy of the last letter he wrote to a friend, which shows that he went on sick-parade on Tuesday, the 22nd June, and also on AVednesday, the 23rd. He went into the hospital on the Wednesday evening, from what 1 can gather. 11. Have you any comment to make about the sick-parade?— Well, sir, at, the time he was very unwell: he had a very bad cold on the chest. When be went on sick-parade on the Tuesdaythere was nothing done, because he went on parade again on the AVednesday, and according to the evidence of a friend who saw him in town on the Monday he ought to have been in bed then. 12. Where was he removed to on the Wednesday?— Apparently to the tea-kiosk. 13. Do y y ou know what his temperature was?— Yes, he says his temperature was 1014. 14. Dr. Martin.] The day he was removed? Can you inform the Commission when that temperature was taken? —Apparently the day he was removed. 1 will read an extract from his letter. [Letter read as follows: "I am writing this on my knee in bed. I am in hospital; been here since Wednesday evening last. I was ill on Tuesday. Went on sick-parade Wednesday evening; also Tuesday morning. Not only is it Ihe flue, but a rotten cold on (he chest. My temperature was 101*4, I think, and my pulse about, 90. I have sharp shooting pains in the stomach going towards the right hip. What is it a sign of? I know it is a sign of something, but forget what. The first men to be sick were the luckiest; they all had beds. We are on our mattresses on. the floor in the tea kiosk on the racecourse. My head is aching so much I can hardly hold it up. We cannot shave here, and can only wash if you are fit to get up and have one, and the place is crowded. Last night 1 awoke—thought it must be at least, 3 or 4 in the morning. I looked at my watch, and it was only 9.25 p.m. The nights go Slowly and the days fairly fast, I think I must snooze during the day. T must close this; am getting some one to post for me.—Sincerely, Archie Badger."] 15. Mr. Skerrett.] Do you know whether the tea-kiosk has a concrete floor or not?— Part of it has a concrete floor and part wooden : I do not know which part he was in. 16. Did your brother complain of inattention during his stay in the kiosk? —Well, as far my remarks relative to inattention arc concerned, they have been furnished by a friend who was in hospital alongside my brother. At the same time my brother's letter bears them out, He says that they could not shave unless they were well enough to get out of bed to have one. That is not proper attention for a sick man. T7. AVhat is your opinion as to the washing of these men during their stay in the tea-kiosk? —I am informed that they were not washed for three days on end. Mr. Gray: I do not like to interrupt, but T must submit that this is only hearsay evidence. The Chairman: We can only regard it, as such, but we will admit it and then we can hear the doctor in charge, and the nurses, and other witnesses on the subject. 18. Mr. Skerrett.] Do you know whether there were any nurses? —Before answering that question I should like to say that I am prepared to give the Commission the name of the private who was in an adjoining bed to my brother in the tea-kiosk, and from whom I obtained some of my information. It was Private Roy Glen, of the Sixth Reinforcements. 19. And his address? —Sixth Reinforcements, Trentham, He is at present down south on leave. 20. You have made inquiries concerning the treatment of your brother? —Yes, sir. 21. Have you obtained any information as to whether there were nurses or orderlies attending the patients in the tea-kiosk?—Up to the Sunday they were attended to only by inexperienced orderlies —Sunday, the 27th June, 22. There were then no nurses at all in charge of the patients at this kiosk up to the 27th June?— That is so; the first three nurses arrived on that day. About, the treatment, after being in bed with high temperatures they were ordered to leave the tea-kiosk and wont to the Jockey Club rooms on Friday, the 25th June. They had to turn out, on the Saturday and go back again to the tea-kiosk. 23. Your brother was ordered out of bed and walked across to the Jockey Club rooms : how far is that away? —Some little distance away. On the Saturday they were ordered back again. 24. From the Jockey Club rooms they returned to the tea-kiosk : were the beds made during this period?—No, they were not made. Owing to the high temperature of the patients the boils became quite damp. 25. Up to the 27th June, I understand, there were no cots for any of the patients?— That is so. 26. According to your information their beds were placed on the floor? —Yes. You said, " for any of them." From my brother's letter apparently some of the earlier ones had had beds. 27. Then on the 27th June the first three nurses arrived : do you know how many patients were to be attended by 7 these three nurses? —No, I have no information. 28. Have you no information? —No, except there were a large number. 29. Do you know whether or not there were over two hundred?—l cannot swear to it. 30. Have you any information as to a further supply of nurses? —I did not hear of the arrival of any further nurses until the day my brother was buried : some came up from Christchurch. 31. That would be somewhere about ? —The 6th July. 32. Have you any information about the food supplied?— Yes, sir. I am told that the men were fed on porridge and tea in the morning for breakfast, and half-cooked ground rice for dinner and tea. 33. Who was your informant?— The same informant. And while the temperatures were high these men were given two aspirin tablets with each meal to keep down the temperature.