H.—l9b.

284

[J. S. ELLIOTT.

232. Whether adequate provision has been made or not is a matter which the Commission has to determine. At a period probably in the month of March and April it became clear that there was the probability of some serious epidemic: do you think that some provision should at once have been made to cope with or provide for that probability? —Yes; I think there ought to have been some plan ready then. OC course, Ido not know whether there was or not. 233. I am not, asking that. Do you think some provision ought to have been made —that the camp authorities ought to have looked ahead and provided for a possible epidemic?— Yes. 234. I understand you to say that, so far from the present hospital accommodation being sufficient for the future, you think, first, that provision should be made for an infectious-diseases hospital capable of temporary enlargement from time to time?— Yes. 235. Secondly, } r ou are also of opinion that provision should be made in the camp at Trentham itself for increasetl accommodation by way of a general hospital?— Yes. 236. I understand you condemn the type of the present hospital now in course of construction ?—Yes. 237. You do that for two reasons —first, you say the accommodation is so small as to be practically negligible in a camp of that kind?— Yes. 238. And, secondly, you say it contains no provision, as I understand, for temporary enlargement in case it should be required?— Yes, as the building stands; and I would not like to see that type of building perpetuated for the camp. I would like something cheaper. I think you would get quite enough comfort for less money and more accommodation. 239. Mr. Ferguson] Is it not a very good nucleus? You have the administration, equipment, and operating-room—you have a very good nucleus there? —Yes; I think that is a very good view. It is a very good nucleus, and it would do for that purpose, but I think any addition should not be on the same expensive scale. 240. Mr. Skerrett] Have you anything to say about the site: is the site such as lends itself to development ? —I think so. 241. Then you think the hospital will be useful as a nucleus, providing means for general administration, and that it is capable of development if required?— Yes. 242. Did you see Stanley Colley among your patients on the sth June?—On the sth June I saw no patients. Qv the 6th June I went out with Colonel Purdy and Colonel Robin, and did not see patients then either. 1 saw patients on the 31st May, and also on the Bth June. 243. Did you see Colley?—1 do not remember. On the 28th June I paid two visits. I had to see a man named Pollard. 244. You have not got Colley's name on your list?— No. 245. Mr. Cray] Do you think that the arrangements for the treatment of the sick in the camp were good having regard to the fact that there was no complete hospital?—l cannot speak from personal observation. 246. There was a camp hospital?—l do not know anything about the camp hospital, 247. If the records show that up to the second week in June only seven deaths had occurred, would you say that was a, good record?— Yes, I would; that is a very good record—a splendid record. Dr. James Sands Elliott further- examined. 248. The Chairman] In regard to the question of providing hospital clothing for lying-down cases which you report is not provided, it is suggested that it has been provided long since by the ladies of Wellington, and that they have a supply there: did you see any in use?—l would not like to be certain with regard to cerebro-spinal meningitis cases, but on our first visit there were cases that had been in for several days who were not provided with hospital clothing, and on the 31st July the patients in the grandstand, which is called the influenza ward, had not the proper hospital clothing. I did not understand that, they went in one day and came out the following day. Some of them seemed to me to be too ill for that. 249. It wits because you did not see the clothing in use that you assumed no provision had been made for it? —We did not raise the question as to whether the clothing was in the precincts of the camp at the store. The question we raised was that the patients were not using it. Di'. Ferdinand Batchelor sworn and examined. (No. 84.) 1. The Chairman.] You are a medical practitioner holding the rank of Colonel?— Yes. 2. You have had experience in Egypt in connection with hospitals?— Yes. 3. I think for about a fortnight you have been consulting surgeon at Trentham?—Yes, attending there daily. 4. What date were you appointed?—On Tuesday, the 20th July. 5. Could you express an opinion upon the suitability of the hospital arrangements at Trentham for what it has had to meet since you have had connection with it? —I think, seeing the number of cases, the buildings available were remarkably suitable, and provided excellent accommodation. I think they were exceptionally fortunate in having such a number of buildings that could be used for the purposes required and for the forms of disease they had. 6. As regards the equipment and material, such as beds, instruments, and all the necessaries that are requisite for running a hospital of that sort, have you found them sufficient ?— For a temporary hospital of that kind I should say it was very well equipped. 7. You have probably heard the criticisms that were passed upon it by the last witness, Dr. Elliott?—Yes.