G. BOBI_.AC]

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372. Going back to February, was that, the condition *of things then?— The same condition of things has ruled right through. The same men have had control of things. .Major Holmes had no trouble in getting those things. 373. Did not he get them from the patriotic societies?—He came to town and got them. 1 do not know whether he troubled about, requisitioning for them. 374. Mr. Ferguson.] You told us that these sheets came in parcels?— Those old sheets— yes, sir. 375. And presumably new sheets?— They came at New Year. 376. They would not come from the patriotic societies? 377. Dr. Martin.] Major Fyffe says there were none there in February?—At the New Year Major Holmes got pillow-slips and pillows. 378. Mr. Skerrett,.] Have you heard a general grumbling among the men in consequence of what they thought was inadequate attention at the sick-parades?— Yes, sit. 379. AVere those complaints isolated or wore they pretty general?—lsolated complaints. You would hear this: " 1 do not think much of him; he gave me a couple of pills." Most of the complaints were like that. 380. My question to you is : was it not a fact that there was general grumbling —not isolated complaints—about what they thought was inadequate care and attention at the sick-parades? —Not general complaints. The doctors did all they possibly could. Corporal J. T. Busman sworn and examined. (No. 54.) 1 . The Chairman.] You are now at ?—Rangiotu. 2. And how long were you at Trentham? —I came into Trentham on the 28th April, and was there until they moved the camp of our regiment to Rangiotu—a couple of months. 3. Where were you located at Trentham?—l was in a tent for a month, and in hutments for another month. 4. What hut?— No. 38. 5. Have you been in hospital at all?—I reported sick about a fortnight after 1 went to Trentham. When I first came in they did not have any boots the right size for me. I got wet feet and caught a cold. I got over that all right, and I was all right until 1 was in the huts. 1 had another turn of influenza, hut 1 never reported sick. Since then 1 have been all right. 6. What was the state of comfort in the tents as compared with that in the huts?— The tents arc far more comfortable and warmer than the huts. I would rather live in a tent than in a hut. 7. What was the population of the huts?— The one we were in was overcrowded. 8. How many were in it? -There were over seventy for a fortnight, 9. You have heard the descriptions applied to them by Sergeants Blackman and Gear? —Yes. 10. Do you confirm that?— Yes. 11. Do you know 7 whether the other huts were filled? —Well, there was none with less than fifty in it; that was the huts'which were completely finished. I believe there was more than the one overcrowded, but I could not say for certain; I am pretty sure. 12. AYe have heard of the bread being carried to the huts in blankets': did you ever carry it ?—No. 13. How was it carried?—l never saw it carried, but I know it was carried in oil-sheets. 14. Did you know of the order for using scrim?—No, sir. 15. Or that you could get scrim?—l never heard of it. 1.6. Do you know of any tents that used scrim for carrying the bread?—No, sir. 17. Did you ever sec any 7 used?— No. Up at Rangiotu they have a "carrier"; it is a sort of frame made with scrim or board. 1.8. So that a man at each corner could work it? —Two men, one at each end. 19. So that the bread is not handled? —It is not handled there. 20. As to the huts, did you sleep near the door?—No, up near the end in the corner, away from the door. I did not notice the draught myself, but there was a general complaint on the ground from every one in the hut. 21. You were somewhat out of it? —Yes. 22. You confirm what has been said as to the air being fusty?— Yes, sir. 23. You wore saying that you did not get your boots? —It was nine days or a fortnight before I got my first issue of boots. 24. And they did not fit you?— Yes, they did, the first issue; but the second issue did not. 25. When did they get them? —Just before leaving Trentham. I tried to break them in, but it was impossible. 26. That is, the strange shape?— Yes; just one piece of leather round. 27. Do you know how- they were marked?—" Standard," T think. 28. Were the first, boots branded "Standard"? —I do not think so. It is a different make. 29. The authorities know of it? —Yes. I have been in camp thirteen -weeks, and T have still only the one pair. I had my own pair of boots, but if I got wet-footed I have no others. My first pair of boots' are good ones. 30. Mr. Gray.] You were sick once or twice?—l was sick twice. T only reported once and saw the doctor once. 31. There was no lack of attention to your complaint?—As regards the sick-parade? 32. When you reported sick?— Well, I did not seem quite satisfied. I had a cold and I.got one pill, which I thought hardly satisfactory to cure a cold, but I got better.