THE TRAGEDY OF THE FORTIETHS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16415, 8 January 1919, Page 3

THE TRAGEDY OF THE FORTIETHS.

REPORT OF PARLIAIkLENTJLRY COMMITTEE. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, January 7. The Parliamentary Committee whioli enquired into the epidemic on the* transport Tahiti has submitted an interim report. It states that as none of the officers and men oi the 40th Reinforcements who were on tho Tahiti had yet returned to New Zealand the committee was limited to evidence submitted by Mrs J. It. Gibbons, consisting of extracts from letters of soldiers and others, and to evidence of officers of tho Defence Department. The committee finds that the transport was commanded by an experienced officcr, who had tho reputation of being particularly careful of his men. The Tahiti was as well provided for in res]>ect to air spaco and other aoommodation as anv other troopship. Things were well until Sierra Leone was reached, though discomfort was experienced owing to had woather. The supply of food on leaving was ample and! similar to that supplied to other transports. The epidemic, having appeared on board, inevitable disorganisation would follow, and arrangements for cooking and sajrply would suffer. The* doctors appear to have done everything possible. The quantity of drugs was equal to the ordinary demand, but was insufficient to meet the exigencies of an epidemic. The committee incorporates in its report the finding of tho Court of Enquiry held in England. If further evidence is required it would need to await the return of the men and the ship to New Zealand. The committeo specially thanks Mrs Gibbons for the trouble she took in collecting tho evidence, and tho lucid, concise, and capable manner in which she submitted it to the commit too. Tho committee expresses its sincere sympathy with those who lost relatives.