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W. B. 0. FERGUSON.]

man with a temperature of under 100 was not going to use a bed-pan if he could get outside, and when there was a number of people there they would dodge out if they possibly could. 161. Apparently during the first week, at any rate, there were no nurses, but simply orderlies, and the full equipment was not there ?—Yes, the full equipment was not there. 162. But the position actually was that those wore really cases of influenza, and they were not kept there when the temperature did not show some serious indications? —That is so. 163. How many men would the marquee hospital accommodate? —Somewhere about fourteen, I suppose. 164. Mr. Ferguson.] You had several marquees?— Yes; when the epidemic, commenced we had to put up several. I had nothing to do with the measles cases. 165. The Chairman.] Had you anything to do with the men put in what are called horseboxes ?—Yes. 166. First, they were floored with concrete, were they not? —No, I think a hard stone floor. They are infinitely better in a storm than a tent. They are absolutely dry. 167. They were put there as a shelter from the storm? —Yes. It was blowing everything about, and the rain was coming through everywhere. As a matter of fact, I would very much rather prefer to have slept in one of those than in a tent, on some of the nights we had at Trentham. 168. They were absolutely warm?— They were quite warm, and one would sleep in there any night. 1.69. You think it was really no hardship when the men were placed in those boxes? —I took care to ask the occupants of every horse-box how they were satisfied with them, and they said, " This is all right; this is a lot better than the tents." Of course, after being there a day or two they began to ask when they were going into the kiosk ; but at first, when they came from the tents, they were glad to get into the dry loose-boxes. 170. How long were they kept there? —Till we could as soon as possible find accommodation elsewhere. 171. Is there anything you would like to add that you have not covered?—No, I do not think there is anything further I. want to say. Dr. Henby Lionel Huohes Steele sworn and examined. (No. 32.) 1. The Chairman.] What are you?—A medical practitioner in Wellington. 2. Have you an Army title?— Yes, Captain in the New Zealand Army Medical Corps. 3. Dr. Martin.] I understand you were called to Berhampore Hospital?— Yes. 4. On what date?— The 30th June. 5. You were called to see two patients there?—l was given instructions by the P.M.O. of the Wellington District. Major Elliott, rang me up and told me to go out to Berhampore about 9 o'clock one night, He asked me if I would go out, to Berhampore and see some bad cases there. I think he said there were two bad ones. 6. You went out, and whom did you see? —I saw the nurse in charge, and asked her to show me the bad cases and she showed me two. Before seeing them I inquired who was looking after them, because I wanted to know something about the case, and she told me, I think, that Captain Harrison was looking after them. I asked if Major Elliott had anything to do with them, and she said, "Yes, he had been out," Then I saw the chart sheets so that, T could get some idea of what was wrong. Then I went in and saw the patients myself. I saw two of them: they were both very bad; they w-ere Fordham and Pollard. I think one of them was dying at the time; he was pretty nearly gone when I saw him. I examined one, but Ido not remember which one, and I found he had very severe bronchial pneumonia. I did not examine the other one because he was just as bad, and there was no object to be gained in pulling him about. 7. He was on the point of death?— Not on the point of death, but in a very bad way. The breathing was very bad, and the man was in a bad state altogether. There was no object to be gained in examining him. I examined one for my own satisfaction to know what was wrong. Then I gave the nurse instructions for the night about treatment and went away. Major Harrison had given a detailed list of the treatment, and there were certain mixtures to be given on certain occasions, and I told the nurse to go on with the usual treatment he had ordered. 8. Did you order their removal to the Wellington Hospital?—No, I did not. I asked why they were there—that is all. 9. You did not order their removal to the Wellington Hospital?—No; I asked the nurse if they were going to the Wellington Hospital. It was not my business to order their removal; I was only sent up temporarily. 10. The Chairman.] You thought they ought not to have been there?— Decidedly. 11. When did they get to the hospital?—l do not think they got there unless they got up next morning. 12. Dr. Martin.] Do you know if when they arrived at the Wellington Hospital they were dead? —I did not know that, but Ido not think they would have got, up there. 13.- We have a report that they died in the Wellington Hospital?— Well, T think they should not have taken those men to the Wellington Hospital in the condition they were. They were so far gone there was no object in moving them. 14. The Chairman.] Do you know who ordered their removal?— Captain Harrison was looking after the case. 15. Dr. Martin.] You would be surprised to learn they were removed?— Yes, at such a late stage. I did not think there was any intention of their being removed. I asked the nurse about, them, and she said they were staying on. There was no idea of removing them when T was there.