183

H.—lite.

A. W. ROBIN.

quate louvres under the gables, also that each of the windows in the amended plan be hung at top to open out, and that the area of the door be increased. We hold that if a sufficient supply of fresh air and sufficient movement of the enclosed air be maintained, as easily can be in this climate, the usual requirements as regards cubic capacity and floor-space per man may be considerably modified. We might perhaps better convey 7 our view thus :If the walls of these huts were removed the air-space (cubic capacity) per man would be, practically speaking, an infinity in amount, even though they slept as close together as the mattresses' could be placed. By removing a portion of the wall—that is, the permanent opening below the eaves—we consider an air-space amply sufficient for each man is made available. In view of the above we consider 7i ft. will be sufficient height from the floor to roof at the eaves of the building, with the highest point of the roof at 13| ft. above the floor-level. By this reduction in the height of the walls a very considerable saving in cost is secured as compared with proposal No. 1." Now, did you simply accept the recommendations which had been made by this Board? —As far as I am concerned I accepted them because I quite agreed with them, and 1 still agree that the ventilation with eaves hanging over is quite sufficient. I have slept in huts under all conditions. 127. Certain complaints have been made that there was too much ventilation, that there was a draught, and that the men could not keep warm in the huts : did you get any complaints of that kind?—l heard that, 128. Brought to you after the huts began to be occupied ?—Not directly, except through the camp authorities', that the huts were draughty. In fact, I have heard more of it through the newspapers than through the men themselves. 129. When that was ascertained were any steps taken by you or under your direction to remedy the matter?— Yes; they closed up certain portions below. 130. Where the corrugations of iron left openings?— Yes; they were closed up, and there was ii modification made as regards some lengthening or dropping of a board, or a proposition to put a board a little higher up. 131. So as to reduce the, size, of the opening?— Yes. 132. Do you know if that was carried out? —I could uol say; 1 think it was carried out. 133. What Department would it be in to see that carried out? —The Public Works would carry it out. 134. On a recommendation from headquarters—from your Department?— Yes, or a direct recommendation from that Board —the one or the other. 135. We have had these huts criticized from various points of view by Mr. Bates and by Dr. de Lautour in particular with respect to the overventilation of the huts. Was any inquiry made into the subject, or anything done beyond what you say as to the stopping-up of those holes and the raising or varying the opening?— Well, nothing further has been done, but it has been steadily discussed as to how to meet those people who do not like the draughts. 136. Well, was any plan evolved apart, from moving them out of the huts altogether?— Not at Trentham. 137. The only other alternative was to put them back into tents, was it not? —Yes, I. should say if they had to go out of the huts they would have to go into tents; there was no other place for them to go 138. Did you get any report from the medical staff on the subject of hutments when those complaints came up about coldness?—No, not directly. 139. Well, was it (heir business in any way to see to such a point as that, or whose business was it?—T do not know that it particularly came under the Medical Officers except that they noticed the men were suffering through it. 140. Yes; but here is a complaint you heard of that these huts are too cold: is that to be dealt with by you or by whom? —I would have to deal with it as Quartermaster-General. 141. But if necessary you would get the services of the medical staff? —But this sickness is not confined to those alone who were in the huts. Some time ago the weather was changing and the winter coming on. On one of my visits there, feeling the change in temperature at, night, J ordered an extra blanket, to be issued to every man in camp, irrespective of huts or tents. 142. Well, after the blanket was issued, did the complaints cease?—No, I suppose they did not. 143. I thought you said that those in charge of the camp mentioned to you that there were complaints about coldness? —On one of my visits the men complained of the draught, We have walked through the huts and tried them in various ways. It seemed a matter of opinion. You go through a hut and you find some men who say it is absolutely splendid and they would not have anything else, and then you will find some men 15 ft. further on who complain of their heads being nearly blown off. There was no general consensus of opinion that they were too cold or too draughty. 144. At any rate, whatever came to your knowledge you did not regard as serious enough to do more than you have told us?—No, sir, I certainly did not, 145. And the question of whether they were, too cold or not was not made the subject of any special inquiry?—-No, not, so far as I am concerned. 146. Nor was it referred to the Medical Board? —No. 147. And you had no representations from the medical staff on the subject of the hutments being too cold?— No. 148. I want, you to hear what Dr. de Lautour says with regard to the hutments. He said. " The hutments' do not allow for 60 square feet of floor-space, and separate dining-rooms, and proper intervals, and so forth. . . . T condemned them before they wero attempted to be built," Did you get any condemnation from Dr. de Lautour?—No. 149. Now, with regard to the tent-space: did you see the tents when they were erected and being used for the purpose of the camp?— Yes.