R. S. BADGER.]

101

H.—l9b.

83. Not unconscious?—No; he just knew him. 84. You say in your interview with the Star reporter that the men in hospital are not allowed to communicate with their friends: what is your authority for that? —Well, that is possibly not strictly correct, but it is based upon the fact that Private Glen sent three wires to his people while he was in hospital; he paid for those wires, and not one of them was received. His family reside close to us in Christchurch. 85. The Chairman.] That is based, on the fact that three telegrams were sent and not received?— They were handed to the orderlies, and his people wondered what was wrong with him. They did not know he was in the hospital. 86. Mr. Salm,ond.] Do you know whether those wires ever arrived?—l know they did not. 87. And they were paid for by him and given to the orderlies?— Yes. 88. The Chairman.] Do you know the name of the orderly?—No, sir. 89. Private Glen might be able to tell us?— Yes. 90. Mr. Salmond.] You said that two or three letters were found by Private Glen addressed to your brother?—He found a huge bundle of letters, and two or three were for my brother. 91. Were these from your family?—l cannot say what letters they were. There was one letter found among his belongings and it was returned unopened after he died. 92. (Jan you indicate what delay there was in Private Glen getting these letters?—No; I have no dates to go by. 93. But that letter that was returned: does that show any undue delay? —That would not be a guide. 94. You would know when it was dated, and you would know when it should have reached your brother ?—We got it after he died; it may have been lying there three or four days. 95. That would be shown by the postmark on the letter?— That would be no guide as to when it was delivered in camp. 96. Probably it arrived near to his death but never delivered: have you got that letter?— Not with me; it was written by my sister. 97. The Chairman.] Would you be able to get us that letter, because it would enable us to get something definite ?—Yes. 98. If you have the envelope, that could be sent to me?— Yes, and the top part of the letter. It may have been destroyed, but I will find out. 99. Mr. Salmond.] Were the authorities asked to explain why they did not communicate with you earlier?—No, sir. I interviewed the Minister of Public Health the afternoon of the funeral, and he assured me that we ought to have been informed at once. My brother took a serious turn on the Monday when he was supposed to be convalescent. He had a sudden collapse on the Monday. 1 contended that if we were not advised when he went into the hospital, we at least ought to have been told on the Monday, and the Minister agreed. 100. Who is put down on his attestation-paper as his next-of-kin ?—1 suppose his father. 101. Is his father alive?— Yes, sir. 102. To whom was the telegram sent?—lt was sent to the house. I think it was addressed " Badger." 103. Whom was it sent by?— The Camp Commandant. 104. You have spoken of the remarks made by the Minister of Public Health. Did your mother, to your knowledge, complain that she had not been informed earlier? Was any explanation given ?—I cannot say that she did. She was too full of other things. Her boy was dying. 105. So far as you know, no explanation was offered at the camp?— No. 106. Was your brother unconscious during the whole time that your' mother was there?— Yes. He really regained semi-consciousness part of the time, and intimated that he understood when he was spoken to, but ho was partially paralysed. 107. Where did he die?—ln the camp. 108. In the tea-kiosk? —No; he had been removed on the Sunday, I think. 109. The Chairman.] The racecourse is mentioned? —I think it was in some rooms adjoining the Jockey Club's premises. 110. Mr. Salmond.] Have you that letter which your brother wrote to you?—lt was not written to me, but to a lady friend. I tried to get t,he original, but I only have the copy of portion as yet. lam getting the original. 111. Have you seen the original ?— No. [Copy handed in.] 112. Will you supply the original of that letter? —Yes, sir, if it is still in existence, as I understand it. is. Mr. Salmond,: It is evidence as to the condition of the man, Your Honour, when he was in the hospital on the Friday. 113. The Chairman.] It shows that he was getting better when he got the relapse. This is the letter written by your brother on Friday, the 25th June. It says, "I am writing this on my knee'in bed. I have been in the hospital since Wednesday afternoon. I was ill on Tuesday." You have given us the substance of the letter already?— Yes, sir. 114. Mr. Gray.] I understand that you based upon that letter and Private Glen's statements all the statements made by you?— Yes, but not quite all. 115. I mean with respect to the earlier treatment of your brother in the hospital?— That is so. 116. Have you heard Dr. Purdy's disclaimer that he was not the doctor in charge?—l only mentioned his name because I understand he was in charge of the camp. 117. Why did you mention his name?—l thought he was in charge of the camp. 118. You admit that he was not in charge of the camp in connection with your brother's illness?— Yes.