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Trentham as a camp was when the delay occurred in sending away the Main ExpeditionaryForee —that is, after they had been training at Awapuni. They had to be disembarked from the ships in the harbour, and camping-grounds had to be found for two or three weeks in various parts of Wellington, and Ihe mounted portion went to Trentham. 3. That was the first camping that was done there—the mounted troops while temporarily disembarked from the troopships? —Yes, in connection with the Expeditionary Forces. 4. And who had charge of the camp then ?—Colonel Russell, of the Mounted Brigade. 5. He is away now, of course?— Yes. 6. I suppose we may take it that at that time there was no general laying-out of the camp, or would he just go out there and take possession of such ground as he required?—He went out and camped there, and put his horse-lines in the most convenient position to suit the situation, knowing that he would be there only for a limited period. 7. There was no general planning-out of the camp at that time?— No. 8. After this two or three weeks' occupation tlie ground was cleared of men, I suppose?— Yes. 9. How many men would there be in that Mounted Brigade? —Roughly, from fifteen to eighteen hundred —probably nearer two thousand, because some of the Artillery went out also. 10. Then the next step?— When it was seen that there -was a necessity for bringing in reinforcements to maintain the Expeditionary Force it was decided that Trentham was a suitable place to form a permanent or semi-permanent camp. 11. What date would that be about?— October, I think. 12. Then, when that was decided upon, what followed? -They camped there for some time in tents. 13. When that was decided upon were there any steps taken with a view to laying out the camp or testing the suitability 7 of the site as regards, for example, its sanitation and watersupply? —Yes. 14. That is, before it was occupied in October ? -Yes. 15. What steps were taken to test the suitability of the site? 1 presume there was a certain amount of knowledge previously accumulated, of which the military authorities would be in possession—they would know from past experience; but were any 7 special steps taken, for instance, with regard to testing Ihe site for sanitation purposes?— Yes; the usual military precautions that are invariably carried out as regards the water-suppy and the suitability of the ground—where it was best to place the tents, latrines, and other necessities. 16. AVho does that work?— That was carried out in conjunction with the Chief of the General Staff and the Quartermaster-General. 17. Who was the Chief of the General Staff then?- Colonel Gibbon. 18. And the Quartermaster-General? -That would be myself. 19. You then took a personal part in the matter? —Yes, through the Q.M.G, (2), Major Robinson. 20. You did not actually personally deal with it? —Not personally. 21. Is Major Robinson away?—No, sir; he is here. 22. At Trentham ? —No, at headquarters. 23. As regards the tents and general equipment, that would be passed on to the Stores Department to provide?— Yes; a requisition would be put in for what was required—stores and ordnance -and if it cannot be supplied from stores they would have to obtain them or have them made. 24. As to whether the ground was tested as regards its sanitation capabilities, we would get that from the Q.M.G. (2)?— Yes, I think so. 25. That, is one of the material points which the military 7 authorities consider in connection with camps—sanitation I—Yes.1 —Yes. 26. Would any 7 member of the medical staff have anything to do with this? —Yes. 27. Who is that? —Directly, the Director of Medical Services and his subordinate officers. 28. That is Colonel Purdy'?—Yes. 29. Mr. Ferguson.] Was he Director of Medical Services at that time? —Yes, he would be. 30. The Chairman.] He then acts with the Chief of the General Staff and the QuartermasterGeneral, and it is his officers who advise on matters such as sanitation? —Yes, sir. 31. Mr, Ferguson.] The general suitability of the site for the camp from a medical point of view?— Yes. 32. Would that be a written or verbal report? -It might be either. 33. The Chairman.] They may decide out there on the spot?—-The Chief of the General Staff would be there to decide as regards strategical or tactical considerations, the QuartermasterCeneral is there to represent his department —stores and arrangements—and the D.M.S. and his Medical Officers are there to advise as to the camping-ground from a medical or health point of view; but the Chief of the General Staff has the deciding voice, because he has to de>cide as to the fighting part of it. 34. Other matters must always be subordinate to that consideration?— The situation arose at Trentham that a great deal of instruction had to be given there, and facilities for training had to take the place of those for fighting. 35. This having been done, when did the men begin to go into camp, do y 7 ou remember?— They came up almost immediately upon the departure of the Expeditionary Force. 36. And they had to be made up to the number of as many as 2,500? —No, not as many as that for the Second Reinforcements, though probably not far off that number. 37. From 2,000 to 2,500 had to be provided for?— Yes. 38. Mr. Ferguson.] Did they occupy the same tents that the previous men had occupied for a fortnight or three weeks? —No, sir. 39. Tt was all relaid out? —Yes; it was freshly arranged after Colonel Russell's camp.