H.—l9b.

194

[__. A. VINCENT

35. Were you taken to sick-parade?— No. An officer came round, and later on two of the Medical Corps men brought a stretcher into the tent. They had done nothing for me, but were going to make a bed on a stretcher and leave me in the tent. On the Monday night, I had bought, a bit of scrim at the canteen and made a sort of palliasse, and filled it up with straw. When we were shifted into another tent I got another issue of straw. When the two Medical Corps men came in I asked them what they intended to do, and they said they were going to make me a bed there. I said that was no good to me, and I asked the corporal to go and find Captain Fyffe, and get him to come and have a look at, me. Captain Fyffe came and examined me. He only pulled one sock off, and I could not stand the weight of the blankets on my toes. He asked me how long I had been like that, and I told him it had been coming on for four days. He asked the men who brought the stretcher in what they were going to do with me, and they said they were making a bed up. He said, " You will put this man into the hospital until the ambulance comes for him." They said, "We have not, room in the hospital"; and he said, "Make room." T was carried to the hospital and left there on the stretcher. There was another man lying in the hospital on a stretcher the same as I was. I was later sent into the Wellington Hospital. 36. How long did you lie in the Trentham Hospital?— Just till the ambulance came —an hour or two. 37. You were taken the same day to the Wellington Hospital?—Yes'. 38. How long did you stay there?— Nine weeks. 39. What was the matter with > 7 ou?—Rheumatic fever. 40. And were you then discharged from the hospital after nine weeks?— Yes. I did not know what to do, but I found out from those who had been discharged from the hospital. I reported at the drill-hall in Buckle Street, and had to go from there to the barracks and get a railway pass, and go back to the drill-hall to get a letter to the Camp Commandant, and then get out to Trentham the best way I could. 41. AVhat were you feeling like then?—l was very weak and could not, put my own coat on. I had to go out, to Trentham and wait some time till I was medically examined, and then I was given two months' leave. I got to Palmerston next day, and had to call in a doctor and go back to bed. 42. How long were you in bed then ?—For about seven or eight, days. 43. What happened after that? —When my leave was up I was getting a little better. I was getting about the best, way I could, and just a few day 7 s before my leave was up the doctor who had been attending me took ill, and 1 had to go to another doctor to be examined in order to get a report, to send to the Camp Commandant. The doctor recommended me for another month's leave, and also said that he recommended me to take a trip to Rotorua later on. I enclosed that with a letter of my own to the Camp Commandant, and told him how I was, that I did not feel fit to travel, and asked them, to forward what, pay was due to me to Palmerston. I received a reply that no more leave could be sanctioned until T reported at camp, and there was no mention of pay. T came down to AVellington about ten days after that—on the 29th April—and reported at Trentham the following day at the Commandant's office, I must have waited somewhere about three hours when they came out and told me that, nothing could be done that day, but to come back next Monday or Tuesday, and that, they would send me a wire to where I was staving in Wellington. T went out on the Tuesday by the train leaving town at 9 a.m., and reported in the medical lines about, 10.30. T waited there all the morning, and it was rather a cold day 7. My 7 turn came a good while after dinner-time—about half past, 3 in the afternoon. I went, before the Medical Board, composed of Dr. Purdy and two other men who were sitting at a table. I was asked a few questions. I was asked if T had ever had rheumatism before I went- into camp, and I said No; and Colonel Purdy said I must have been subject to it, and that T must have had rheumatism before going into camp. I was discharged from the Force that, night, as medically unfit. 44. Was that the end of your military experience?-—Yes. 45. Did you have wet feet or wet clothes when in Trentham?—No. 46. Had you good boots? —Yes. 47. And the only 7 hardship you complained of was' the improper bedding you were supplied with ?—Yes. 48. What is your age?— Twenty-five. 49. Is there anything else you desire to place before the Commission ?—No. I do not, think so. 50. Mr. Ferguson.] You mentioned your pay: did you get that?—T received that when T got, to Trentham. 51. The Chairman.] I suppose you are sorry at having been discharged from the service?— Yes, T am. Tarn unable to do any work now. 52. You attribute your trouble to being placed on wet straw?— Yes. It was not the open air, because T had slept in a tent for two y 7 ears. I left, a tent to go there. I always sleep in a tent at, home. 53. Mr. Gray.] You say when you joined the Force you were perfectly well?— Yes. 54. Did you ever suffer from pains as a youngster?— No. 55. Ever had scarlet fever?— No. T had measles as a child. 56. You do not know anything about the history of your father and mother?—No, only that they were healthy. 57. On the night you went into camp you and your mates had this bale of straw given you ? —Yes. 58. Who gave it to y 7 ou ?—The orderly-sergeant. 59. Who was in charge of your tent, that night?—No one was appointed in charge. We had only arrived.