TROOPSHIP SCANDALS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 506, 20 August 1902, Page 2

TROOPSHIP SCANDALS.

DRAYTON GRANGE, BRITANNIC,

AND ORIENT.

STARTLING EVIDENCE

SECRET PROCEEDINGS IN WELLINGTON.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

Sydney, Aug. 19. The Chief Oilieer of the Drayton Grange gave evidence to the effect that troopers prevented the putting up of berths intended for the sick. They seized the timber and threatened to blanket him. He had the greatest difficulty in getting clean quarters. Sometimes they were not touched for days. The commanding officer's aid had to be obtained. There was a great lack of discipline. The men used filthy and abusive language to the ship’s and their own officers.

The Chief Steward’s accounts disclosed heavy liquor consumption on the part of the officers.

CONTINUATION OF DRAYTON GRANGE ENQUIRY.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

Received 10.00 p.m., Aug. 19. Sydney, August 19,

Doctor Gillies, one of tho medical officers aboard, in his evidence said that the principal medical officer was only appointed the night the vessel sailed from Durban. Nobody had any authority to do anything. Witness found a bare supply of medicine, and that tho hospital accommodation was poor. He pointed out to tho medical authorities at Durban that they required more. They replied that the men were all healthy, and would not require more. Witness had no instructions, and no power to enforce his demands. He refused to allow aboard several men suffering from measles, who were passed by the embarking officer. He believed tho infection of measles an 1 influenza was amongst the troopers before they embarked. He endorsed the opinion that tho uncleanly habits of the men increased the sickness. The walls and floors of the hospitals were plastered with expectoration. Tho want of systematic exorcise and laxity of discipline contributed to tho sickness. Tho number of doctors aboard was sufficient, but they could have done with more, and with a better supply of medicines. Some lives would have been saved if tho sick had been allowed to land at Albany’. He admitted that there were strained relations between the chief medical officer and another of tho three doctors aboard.

COMMANDING OFFICER'S EVIDENCE.

MEASLES AND ROUGH WEATHER

By Telegraph—Pres3 Association—Copyright Received 12.22 a.m., Aug. 20, Sydney, Aug. 19. Colonel Lyster, commanding officer of tho Drayton Grange, gave ovidcuco that tho ship was duly inspected and the troops shipped by the transport authorities at Durban. Ho was not furnished with a report of tho examination committee. They had sufficient powers to maintain discipline, and they made every attempt to fulfil the regulations, but it was impossible to carry out all details, owing tho exceptionally heavy weather. For a week nearly all the troops were seasick, and could not bo asked to do regular duty. Tho regulations were for fine weather, not for such as they experienced. Tho upper deck accommodation was totally inadequate. Owing to tho crowding, it was impossible to keep the deck clean or properly exercise tho men. His unprofessional opinion was that a great amount of tho sickness was due to cases of measles being allowed aboard. Want of exercise and uncleanliness would probably conduce to tho spread of sickness, but he could not say it had done so in this case.

Wellington, last night. The Commission of Inquiry into tho alleged overcrowding of tho troopships Britannic and Orient opened to-day. Major-General Babingtou represented the Imperial authorities, and Sir AV. Russell announced that ho has promised to examine Colonel Davies, Surgeon-Major Pearless, and Captain Lewin in that order, and as there might bo an implication of laxity of duty and want of attention on their part they would bo allowed to remain throughout the proceedings and crossexamine witnesses.

The Commissioners decided not to admit tho press to the proceedings, but to have full shorthaud notes takon. A witness would not then know what the previous witnesses had stated.

About a dozen troopers were in waiting to give evidence.

Auckland, last night. Nurse Gould, who returnod to Auckland by tho Montrose, interviewed at Sydney, said sho was at Durban when the Drayton Grange left. The authorities only put healthy men on board tho Drayton Grange. AH tho sick were put on tho Montrose. There were some cases of measles on the Monrose, but there was plenty of room for the patients. The food was good and the hospital accommodation ample. All tho Australian and Now Zealand nurses were sent home by the Montrose. Sister Steele came on here by the Montrose.