H.—l9b.

208

H. T. J. THACKER.

233. You have not made any complaints to the camp authorities about, the insufficiency of supplies? —I spoke to Dr. Morice about the insufficiency of supplies. 234. When was that? —The day 1 was held up on the road. I think that, was the Thursday, about the 30th June —soon after Dr. Morice went up there. 235. That was the first medical man or person connected with the camp to whom you made a suggestion?—l could not get into the camp, so could not make suggestions. The first time I went out I got oomplaints from sick men. The next time I was prohibited from going into the camp. 236. You say you had nothing to do with the Medical Officers? —The only Medical Officers I have spoken to are Dr. Harrison, Dr. Ferguson, Dr. Crawford, and Dr. Morice. 237. You said you had not anything to do with the Medical Officers?—l had very little conversation with them. I saw Dr. Valintine going through the camp on two occasions, I think —riding through—aud I saluted him on each occasion. The only other time I met him was in the House the other-day going through the " lube." He was going at such a high speed he did not recognize me. 238. You have not had any serious discussion with the medical men connected with the camp or with the Defence authorities in regard Io the medical requirements al the camp?— The four doctors are the only ones I have spoken to. 239. In a casual way?— Not in a casual way; I gave my advice in an expert way to Drs. Harrison, Ferguson, Morice, and Crawford. 240. You suggest there should have been a place in Wellington where doctors could see the men who come to town from time to time?- -Yes, certainly. 241. Are you aware whether any man in Wellington, through the British Medical Association or otherwise, has made any such offer? —I could not say. 242. Do you know that some men have been in the habit ol' attending the drill-hall in Wellington to see medical men ?—I did not know thai. 243. With respect to the case ol' Leslie Walton, you had a letter from some gentleman dated the 12th July?—l had no letter from him :it is his own letter, lent to me. 244. You had some communication with him? —No, I had none. 245. Tn giving you the letter I suppose he said something—you had it handed to you?—No, I asked him for the loan of it, 246. You received from some gentleman a copy of a letter dated the 12th July which he wrote to the Defence Department in Wellington. Did you make any investigation into the complaint?—l had no need to. 247. Have you made any investigation into the complaint? —Yes. 248. With what result?' I got no result. 249. What investigation did you make? —I cannot tell you that —that is private. 250. You come here making a complaint about want of communication ?-—That is the complaint there. 251. I asked you if you made any investigation, and you will not say if you complained to the Defence Department directly?— Yes; but, 1 could not give the name. 252. Have you made any investigation into this man's complaint?— No. 253. You suggest the authorities have been too economical?— Not too economical; they have been parsimonious, frugal, mean, penurious. 254. Two thousand pounds would establish a base hospital?—No; £2,000 would put up the hospital suggested in the first instance. According to Mi. Allen it would cost £3.800 to put up a base hospital. 255. What do you suggest would establish a base hospital?—£s,ooo to £10,000. 256. Do you suggest no figure for the establishment of a base hospital?—No, I could not. 257. When did you first suspect cerebro-spinal meningitis at the camp?— The first day I saw that patient, on the Monday, 28th June. 258. That was from your observation ?—Yes, from the case I saw brought in there. 259. On the 28th June you first suspected cerebro-spinal meningitis in the camp?— Yes; in fact, I named it, but I did not name it publicly because 1 did not think it was my duty to do so. I named it to the gentleman who was with me. 260. Was he a medical man?— No. I am not sure I did not say something about it to Di'. Harrison. 261. Well, were y r ou sure of it or only suspected it? —Now, do you think that is a fair question to ask me? 262. Yes?— Well, Ido not think so. You cannot be certain of a thing. 263. Did you suspect, it or were you sure of it?—l told you I suspected it, 264. Your suspicion, T suppose, was confirmed at a later date? —It has been absolutely confirmed. 265. Did it not occur to you that you ought to have communicated your suspicion to the authorities?—l did communicate it to Dr. Harrison the same day on the spot. I did not say "cerebro-spinal meningitis," but. I said "some infective nervous condition." I did not dictate it to him. I said, "Doctor, this looks like some acute nervous condition." I would not be sure whether that was to Dr. Harrison or Dr. Ferguson. They were standing beside me when I made the suggestions, and I said it looked a question of diagnosis between typhoid fever, pneumonia, and some acute nervous condition. 266. Would that, be sufficient to suggest to a medical man that cerebro-spinal meningitis was possible?— No. The only way that you suspect, cerebro-spinal meningitis is through the throat. 267. You did suspect it then ?—I suspected if—you must always suspect it,