VET. -SURG. -CAPTAIN YOUNG, i

79

H.— 6c.

302. I think you said that you had five and a half years' experience in the Public Health Department in Edinburgh ? —Yes ; I resigned to come to New Zealand. 303. Then, you ought to have, I presume, some practical knowledge of ventilation?—l am qualified to speak on all matters of public health. 304. Did you ever go down the troop-decks?—-No, I never went down; I had no authority to go down, and I had no more right to go there than a man had to come co my cabin. 305. You were never asked to do it ?—No, sir. 306. In the other troopships you were in did you ever take any notice of the ventilation ?—I had to give specifications of what air-space and ventilation there was for horses on board the ship. 307. What amount of space did you allow for each man on board ?—I did not go into that allowed for the men, only for the horses. 308. What cubic space is allowed for a horse on board?— Well, two or three hundred. Ido not remember what the Imperial regulations are, right off. The ship we went across in was very much overcrowded. The air-space was for 575, but we carried 622. I may say this : that from the construction of the transport " Britannic " I should say that she is a very good ship to have proper ventilation carried out on. 309. You think she was a very good ship ?—Yes, from the general observation from outside and from the appearance of her portholes. 310. The portholes can only be taken into consideration for ventilation under favourable circumstances ?—Yes ; but that is not a thing I should like to go into, as I was not down in the men's quarters, and I am not therefore qualified to give an opinion in this case. 311. You saw the hatchways on deck?— Yes. 312. How many were there ?—I do not know, but all ships are much alike in that respect. 313. Do you think, from the number of hatchways that, you saw on board the ship, that she could be thoroughly ventilated?— Well, one thing that did strike me was this: that if they were not properly ventilated they had too few windsails up. She was a vessel that could have carried at least a dozen windsails. 314. You say she could have carried a dozen windsails if required ?—Yes, if required. 315. Were there any openings on deck that they could have used for ventilation other than the hatches? —No, sir, because the other openings were already filled with ventilators. 316. Were there many ventilators on the decks ? —I do not know the number. As a matter of fact, I never was asked to undertake any duty in connection with the ventilation, so I did not pay particular attention. 317. Mr. McNab.] In regard to the condemnation of some boiled meat, was it condemned because it was unfit for human food—some boiled pork? —Certainly not, sir. 318. You might again, to emphasize it, tell us why it was condemned ?—The pork was passed as absolutely sound, wholesome, and good. It went to the cooks' galley, and part of it apparently had fallen on the floor. It got soiled on the floor, and, not having been properly washed and clean, it had been put in the boiler amongst other parts. I detected this after the food was cooked, and had the whole of it condemned due to that incident. It was not because it was not wholesome. 319. You never heard it stated, did you, that there had been a leak at any time in the freezingchamber ? —No, sir, Ido not think it is possible. If there was you would very soon know of it. 320. You do not think it is possible ? —No. The meat would very soon begin to get soft. 321. The Chairman.] Will you tell us as to the general cleanliness of the galley?— Both the butcher's shop and the galley were kept fairly clean after I undercook the inspection of the food. It is a difficult matter, of course, to keep a galley thoroughly clean, especially in rough weather. 322. You do not know anything about the cooking of the tea or coffee ?—No, sir. 323. Mr. McNab.] You are in private practice, are you not ? —Yes, sir. 324. And you are quite independent of the Government ?—I have no interests in the Government. 325. Surgeon-Major Pearless.] Have you ever been on Somes Island?— Yes, many times. 326. Do you know whether it is dry or damp ? —Very damp, I consider. 327. Any idea what the water-supply is like? —I chink, as far as I can remember, it is rainwater collected in tanks principally. 328. Do you consider Somes Island a suitable place to quarancine men from Souch Africa?— Certainly not. 329. Colonel Davies.] You say you have travelled on three or four other transports ?—Yes, sir. 330. What was your opinion of the discipline on board the " Britannic " ?—-I consider that the discipline, was as good as it was possible to make it under the conditions upon which troops are raised in New Zealand. 331. You think it is as good discipline as you have seen amongst colonials ?—Perfectly certain of it; I never saw any reason to complain about it. 332. You never came back to New Zealand on any other troopship ?—No, sir. Trooper Valentine Andkews sworn and examined. (No. 24.) 333. Mr. Millar.] What is your name ? —Valentine Andrews. 334. What contingent did you belong co ? —Eighth. 335. What rank did you hold ?—Trooper. 336. What squadron ?—E squadron. 337. You volunteered to give evidence in connection with the conditions and the treatment, and so forth, of che troopers in the " Britannic " ? —Yes, sir.