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252. As a matter of routine, were they trained in regard to water-carts? —No, sir. 253. There was no instruction given in how to look after the water-cart? —No, sir. 254. Except with the Fourth Keinforcements?—That is so. 255. How about the Field Ambulance that went to the front?— With the Main Party? 256. Were there any men trained in boiling and sterilizing instruments? —Yes, sir. 257. Give me their ranks--sergeants or corporals?— They went away as corporals afterwards; they were dispensers. 258. The dispensers?— They used to get instructions from the doctors in it. We had No. 2 Stationary Hospital with us for some time, and all the men used to go and receive lectures. 259. We are told that none of the regiments had stretcher-bearers: have you seen any stretcher-bearers with the regiments that went away?— Yes, with the Main Body. 260. Were they attached to the R.A.M.C. for training?—l think they must have been, because they wore the badges. 261. But they were regimental men : they would not wear badges at all? —I am going by seeing them in the Main Party, walking at the back with their stretchers. 262. You have seen them with their stretchers? —Yes, marching through the town. 263. We have a charge stretcher-parties went?— They went with the Main Body. They paraded at the back of their units. 264. Now, going back to Trentham, did you see men seriously ill sent in from Trentham in open taxis?—No, sir. 265. What is the latest, hour you have seen men sent to Wellington Hospital?— With the measles, about 5.30 p.m. 266. There were no cases sent in about 11 or 12 o'clock at night?—No, sir. 267. Were there any sent early in the morning?— Only one man, sent in by special train; he met with a railway accident. 268. Were there any cases of men having to stand for hours in the rain on sick-parade?— No, sir. 269. When it was raining they were always put under cover?— Yes, except, for the Second Reinforcements, when Major McKillop complained, and we started to use the other tent. 270. Were there any ambulance-wagons at Trentham?—No, sir. We had the Wellington Hospital ambulance out when we required it; but we have rung up for it at 8 o'clock in the morning and did not get, it, till 5 o'clock at night. We have sent in men strapped in a motor-car, but the measles cases were sent in closed cars. 271. You had to ring up the Wellington Hospital?— Yes. 272. Mr. Ferguson.] These men who were dispensers: were they privates?— Yes, and sometimes corporals. Yallop was a sergeant. Every man dispensing was a chemist, but after the "Trents" went away we were reduced to Yallop and Hutchinson, and the next day Major Fyffe got Dickson and O'Kane. 273. Would these men get special pay?—No, sir. 274. They got the ordinary pay of their rank? —Yes. 275. Is that the ordinary Imperial standard, or what?—lt is the colonial standard. I was a dispenser in Africa, and got only fis. a day, ordinary pay. 276. Dr. Martin.] Is it true that certain men —chemists—practically declined to do dis-pensing-work because they did not get special pay?— None with the reinforcements. 277. But with the Main Body?—I could not, say. 278. It did not, come under your notice that men who were unqualified chemists were doing the work because qualified men practically declined to do it, without, special pay?— Not, that I know of. 279. You have no doubt that it was under the control of properly qualified men ?—They had not all passed. 280. They had had sufficient training for the purpose, though they had not all passed the Pharmaceutical Society's tests? —Yes, sir. 281. You had all the appliances necessary 7 for dispensing? —Yes, sir. 282. Plenty of distilled water?— Yes. 283. Hot water?— Yes, sir. 284. How did you get your hot water?— From the cookhouse, or with the Primus stove which we had. 285. Mr. Gray.] How long were you in the South African War?— Eight months. 286. What was your position there?—l was wardmaster on the troopship —coming and going —and dispenser attached to the R.A.M.C. there. 287. Are you a chemist by profession?— Yes, but, not qualified. 288. But you have had experience?— Eight, years. 289. As a'chemist?—Yes. 290. At Trentham Camp you were permanent sergeant-major?— Yes. 291. In charge of the Ambulance work?— Yes, sir. 292. And you saw all the reinforcements through?— Yes, up to the Fifth. 293. When did you leave Trentham? —12th June. 294. When was Mr. Izard's house open?— About, that date. 295. With regard to the equipment of the hospitals, did you hear any complaints that supplies could not, be got?—No, sir. 296. Whose duty was it to make requisitions?—lt, was supposed to be written out and brought to me, and I would get the officer commanding to sign. 297. Who would write it out?— The sergeants in charge of the ward or the dispenser. 298. The dispenser for drugs, and the sergeant in charge of the ward for hospital equipment ?—Yes,