Page image
Page image

H.—l9b.

222

[O. DORI__AC.

He was further asked, " Unfortunately we have not got them here?" and he replied, "No." Had you anything to do with the sanitary arrangement? —Only in connection with the Second Reinforcements, f put in the first latrines that were put in. 176. In dealing with the latrine accommodation between December and February, Captain Yeates said, " AVhen I went there there were day latrines, but not in sufficient number for the Force that was in camp. Also, in connection with the latrines there was no proper method of disinfecting the pails. There was no dry earth or anything used for throwing in the pails after use. There was a bucket of chloride of lime and some other disinfectant, which was thrown on by a sanitary squad. The result was that these pails were left open, and flies were very prevalent in the camp. Also, on the north side of the camp there was a plot of ground occupied by a mounted corps, but before you came to that spot there was a place showing signs where had been the old trench latrines. These were not covered up in a proper manner. They were too shallow, and the flies were there in millions daily. There was an attempt made to keep the flies off by scattering chloride of lime." Do you know anything about that? —No, sir; the trench laid down in the manual is only a foot deep, and that trench was 18 in. 177. AVhat about the flies? —They were bad at the start, but got better later on. We sprayed kerosene to a great extent. But I never noticed any trouble from the old latrines. 178. No smell?—No, sir. 179. How were they disposed of when they were done with?— They were filled in. 180. With what?— Earth. 181. And marked in any way?— No. Where the latrines were there is a long line. They were put in 3 ft. long, 1 ft. wide, and 18 in. deep, and there is 2 ft. 9 in. between them—that is, the first day's trenches; and the second day's trenches are placed in between these other two. After every man has been there he takes a scoop of dry earth and throws it over the excreta. 182. Do you know of any time when there was no dry earth provided?— For the straddle trenches it is always there, but for the pan system* they did away with the earth. 183. Mr. Ferguson.] They wilfully did away with the dry earth? —Yes, and used kerosene. 184. By whose authority was that done?—l could not say. 185. AVhat reinforcements? —The Third. There were no pan-closets with the Second. 186. AVhat about latrine-paper: was that provided? —No. 187. The ordinary newspaper was used? -Yes. 188. The men would not use the earth? —No. 189. The Chairman.] Do you know whether the old latrines were there in connection with the Rifle Association meetings? —I know where two of them were, but they were never used in our time. 190. Will you take a look at the plan here and point out the spot? [Witness indicates spot.J 191. They were not sunk into the ground as a pit-closet?—No; they were pan-closets, with wooden floors. 192. When the pans were removed there would be nothing left. They were somewhat about where the hutments are now ? —Y T es, somewhere about there. 193. You had nothing to do with the hospital side —you were only connected with the camp side? —I was attached to the hospital, but not at the racecourse. I went to Izard's, but four days before that I was on duty on the ship with Major McAra. 194. Can you tell us anything about the hospital on the racecourse site? —No, sir; but I advised them to keep the records of every man. 195. Whom did you advise?— The sergeant who took my place. I advised him not to lose the trace of a man. 196. Coming back to the camp and the tents, was there any fumigation of the tents?— Yes, after the reinforcements left. 197. How was it done?— With a formalin spray. 198. With regard to the drying facilities, were there any there during your stay in the camp?—No, sir. 199. None?— No. 200. Have you ever seen drying facilities in the camp? —No, only marquees. 201. You had no marquees erected? —No. 202. Do you know why that was?— Well, I think if they did erect them the men would not make use of them a great deal on account of the risk of losing their kit, and having them taken by other men. Each man is personally responsible for his own kit. 203. Could not he, hang up his coat there with safety and leave it?— Not very well, because if a man went in to take his coat he might take two coats. 204. Would not there be a guard?— You would have to arrange it after the system of a cloak-room, and label every man's things. 205. You do not think the men would use it? —Some men would, perhaps. But you must remember that if a man loses any of his kit he is liable to pay for it when they have kit-inspection. 206. Do you remember any septic tanks there?—No; I do not know how they have the urinals fixed or the latrines they have at present. 207. But from December to February?—No; I do not know whether they are soakage-pits or septic tanks. 208. Dr. Martin.] You were there in February?— Yes. 209. Did you see the hospital arrangements and the marquees?— Yes, sir. 210. How many in the marquees where the men were taken?— Seven. 211. Had they mattresses? —Yes. 212. Pillows?— Yes. 213. Pillow-cases? —There were pillow-cases, yes.

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert