TRENTHAM CAMP INQUIRY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2535, 9 August 1915, Page 3

TRENTHAM CAMP INQUIRY

4 FIXING RESPONSIBILITY FURTHER EVIDENCE TAKEN Tho Trentham Commission sat all day Saturday, and will continue tho hearing of evidence to-day. The Commission consists of His Honour Mr. Justice Hosking, Dr. A. A. Martin, and Mr. .W. Ferguson. In consequenco of evidence given by other witnesses, Dr. Elliott, tho principal medical officer of tho Wellington military district, came forward to state his position in regard to the responsibility for the care of tho sick in Berliampore Hospital during Colonel Purdy's absence. He said, that he was given to understand that it would not be necessary for him to do anything unless lie was called on. Mr. Skerrett drew attention to the fact that in the course of his evidence Colonel Purdy had said that before leav ing ho had just asked Dr. Elliott to stand-by, and had not given him any direct orders, and that Dr. Elliott had only undertaken to visit Berhamporo if requested by tho'sister in charge of the hospital to do so. Mr; Gray: In the absence of Colonel Purdy, who is his deputy? Dr. Elliott: There is no Deputy Director of Medical Services in New Zealand. , Mr. Gray: Colonel Purdy suggests that the principal mcdical officer automatically takes charge in the absence of the Director of Mcdical Services. Dr. Elliott: In an advisory or executive capacity? Mr. Gray: I don't know. Dr. Elliott: That is important; His Honour: In either, then? Dr. Elliott : Yes, in an executive capacity if he was asked. • Dr. Elliott added: "I have advice from my commanding officer, Colonel Tate, that I am a Territorial officer, and that I havo nothing to do with Expeditionary work unless I am asked to do so." Mr. Ferguson: Then, the position may be summed up that, if locum tenens to tho Director of Military Services, you district, and not Dominion duties. Colonel Purdy admitted to. Mr. Skerrett that the P.M.O. duties were merely district, and not Dominion dutie.s Colonel Purdy then gave evidence to the effect that automatically the principal medical officer acted in the absence of medical services. Once he went away for months, and Dr. M'Gavin, who 4vas then P.M.O', acted for him the whole time. Colonel Potter, Commandant at Trentham Camp, said that he recollected tliat on one- occasion early in May when discussing the question of sickness, Colonel Purdy had mentioned that if necessary they could commandeer the racecourse buildings. Marquees for the sick parades had been provided before ever Colonel Valintinc appeared on tho scene. The Director of Medical Services was out at the camp two or three times a week, and witness often asked him if everything was all right, and the D.M.S. had always said that everything was splendid. The medical men did not advise him of any need for drying apparatus. Captain M'Cristell, tho camp quartermaster, stated that up to_tho_ end of May lie had requisitioned 25,585 pairs of boots, and had only received 20,701. He had asked for the supply to bo speeded up. If the Defence Stores did not know that the supply of boots to tho camp was behind requirements, thero must be something wrong.' _ Colonel Purdy continued bis evidence in reply. He said that he had heard at tho cam]) on Juno 17 that Colonel Valiutine had been there giving orders to tho doctors'and ordering supplies, so witness took it that he had been superseded. On June 14 he had an interview with the Minister, who said that ( he intended to make some changes, and 1 that he thought Colonel Purdy should have forscen the increase of measles, to which witness answered that he thought lie could not havo done more than lie had done. His Honour observed that he had not been ; able to discover anything that Colonel Purdy had done, more than work respecting Berhamporo Hospital. At 5.15 p.m. the Commission adI journed till 10.15 o'clock this morning.