H.—l9b.

152

[E. YEATES

66. The Chairman.] Had not they previously been in camp in the districts from which they came?—No; many of them had never been in camp in their lives. 67. Mr. Skerrett.] Were these additions to the camp allowed to occupy the tents which had just been vacated by the reinforcements?— They had no other buildings for them. 68. Do you know of any precaution being taken to fumigate the tents?—l think they were sprayed out with formalin occasionally. 69. But except for that there was no general fumigation of the tents immediately preceding the arrival of the new drafts?—l never saw it. 70. What do you say with regard to the blankets : did the new recruits use the blankets which had been, used by the reinforcement which had just left?—l do not, think so. I think those men took away their blankets. 71. AYe have heard there were no drying facilities? —There was absolutely none. 72. Do you think they ought to have been provided?— Certainly. 73. What do you say with reference to the position of the civilian houses or buildings within the camp?— There were stores, barbers' shops, V.M.C.A. hall, a Presbyterian hall, and other places absolutely in the middle of the camp. Ido not think it should have been so. 74. Why?—l think that place in the middle of the camp should be an air-space. 75. Do you consider that those buildings occupied what ought to have been the lungs of the camp ?—I do. 76. Have y 7 ou anything to say about the septic tanks? —I cannot say very much, except that they smelt very badly. 77. That is the worst thing you could say of them?— Yes. 78. I want you to describe as accurately as you can whether that objectionable smell was common or infrequent?—l speak of the septic tanks attached to the latrines. They were covered in with concrete, and it was absolutely impossible to say what was under them; but, in the early morning the smell, was very intense. 79. Mr. Ferguson.] Do you know whether those concrete septic tanks were ventilated?—l should not say so; but Ido not know 7. I never saw a ventilating-pipe. 80. Mr. Skerrett.] AVhen did you leave the camp?—l was struck off on the 27th February, 1915. 81. I understand that, the official publication was to the effect that, your appointment was cancelled at your own request?—So it appeared. 82. Is that the truth?—No; it was not cancelled at my own request, because I never made the request. 83. To what date are you referring?— That only appeared in the Evening Post, on Friday last. 84. I do not want, you to go into details, but I understand that you consider you have been improperly 7 used in being deprived of your position as captain in the medical branch of the service? —I consider that as a soldier who volunteered for the service of his country that my difference with the Defence Department is one which is open to a great, deal of question as to the irregularity of what they 7 have done. 85. The Chairman.] How did you come to cease duty : under what circumstances did you cease duty on the 27th February?—l received a registered letter from Lieut.-Colonel Potter, Camp Commandant, enclosing copy of a letter from the 0.0.C. This is the letter I received on the 27th February: it is dated the 25th February: "I am directed to inform you that in view of the Director of Medical Services' report the Commandant of New Zealand Forces is unable to recommend y 7 ou for appointment in the reinforcements, and that there will be no other vacancies to which y 7 ou might be appointed. Your services will not be required in camp from the 27th instant." 86. That was on the report of the Director of Medical Services?— Yes, and I will read his report. Tt is dated the 6th February, but I did not see it until the Ist March. It is as follows :" T regret, that T cannot give a favourable report about Captain Yeates. I have had many opportunities of judging of the capabilities of this officer ; I am of the opinion that he is not fitted to be sent on active service." 87. Do you wish to say anything upon that point?— Well, sir, the only thing T wish to say is this: that how Colonel Purdy could judge of my capabilities I do not know, because he could have had no knowledge of them. I never saw him but twice. He never was on foot-parade. He never saw me doing anything. Therefore I cannot imagine how 7 such a man could give an opinion upon my capabilities, nor by what right he could do so, as I hold a very much higher degree than he does. 88. Mr. Skerrett.] I understand that you have the highest testimonials as to your past services, particularly in South Africa?— Yes. 89. I do not know whether you would like to indicate from whom you have received these testimonials? —They are all in favour of mv work. They are from my Commanding Officers, Colonel Hartley, V.C., 0.M.0., Lieut.-Colonel Bodle, C.M.G., Major James, of the Royal Army Medical Corps, and from Colonel Cox, of the Cape Medical Staff Corps, and the Marquis of Tullibardine, 0.0. Scottish Horse, and others. 90. All these are eulogistic of your services? —Yes, sir, very favourable. 91. T understand that you wish to qualify an answer you gave to me relating to the position in which you went, to Trentham Camp?—l went into the Trentham Camp as an expeditionary officer on expeditionary pay, and drew expeditionary rations. That is what was understood. The intimation made to me when in Auckland was from Colonel Hume, that my wish to go with the reinforcements would have first consideration. 92. I understand that you do not desire to disguise from the Commission the fact that you have been suffering an injustice, but that you feel that this is not the tribunal before which it