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456. Then, after he had been examined by the doctor and discovered to be a case for the hospital, what would be the next step ?—He would just simply say, "Accept this man for the hospital." 457. Did he write that?— Yes, and handed it to the man. 458. But supposing the man kept that written document in his possession, and did not go to the hospital, how soon would his absence be missed? How often was the hospital visited by a doctor? It was visited at regular hours during the day by the officers. His absence would never be missed unless he reported himself. 459. Do you think it is probable that a man who had received a written order from the doctor for the hospital could be three or four hours out of the hospital without that being discovered ?— No, sir. 460. We have had complaints that there was a bad smell in the neighbourhood of the hospital from a latrine ? Was there any latrine near the hospital? —There was a hospital latrine above, but it was perfectly clean. 461. Did it have an entirely different current of air pervading it? —It was a clean latrme, and well looked after. 462. Was it a hospital latrine? —Yes. 463. Was it part of your duty to see to that latrine ? —Yes, sir. 464. You visited it ? —Yes, sir. 465. More than once a day?— Yes, sir. 466. Did you ever see it foul ? —No, sir; I took particular pains to see that it was kept clean. 467. Then, an assertion that it was foul would be incorrect?— Yes, sir. 468. Was there ever a bad smell about the hospital?—l never noticed it, and never heard oi it. No complaint was ever made to me about the smell. 469. Were there any nurses on board the ship ?—Yes, sir. 470. Were they employed in the hospital ? —No, sir. 471. Were they on "duty?—l could not say, sir. 472. They never were in the hospital? —One of the nurses visited the hospital between Albany and Melbourne. 473. That was in an unofficial capacity ? —Yes, sir ; just as a visitor. 474. Were their services ever asked for? —No, sir. 475. And they left the ship—where ? —Melbourne. 476. Then, up to the time of their leaving the ship there was no urgent necessity for their services?—No, sir. 477. Have you studied hygiene at all? —I have not made a particular study of it. 478. You cannot give us any information as to the cause of the outbreak of pneumonia ? — No, sir; I could give no professional evidence on that point. 479. Have you any idea how it could have been prevented?—No, sir, not under the circumstances. 480. Do you think it could have been prevented on board the steamer ?—Well, I can only say no, it could not be prevented. 481. Do you think the ventilation on the deck the hospital was on was as good as it might be?— Yes, sir : it was better than any other part of the ship. It was well ventilated. 482. Do you think it could have been improved ?—No, Ido not. 483. Do you think it would have been advisable to improve it?—No, sir ; I saw no improvement that could be made. 484. Were you through the troop-decks at all ? —Yes, sir. 485. How was the ventilation there? —I never took particular notice of the ventilation, sir. It was not as good as the hospital. We had particularly good ventilation there. 486. Do you think there was any neglect of ordinary precautions about the ventilation on the " Britannic " ?—I did not take particular notice. 487. Were you overworked yourself ?—Not exactly, sir. 488. And you had as much as you could do ?—Yes, sir, I was kept busy. 489. And on the arrival of the troops at Wellington was the hospital visited by the Health Officers, or by any one from the shore ?—Yes, sir. 490. Did they make any remark about the appearance of the hospital ?—No, sir. 491. No complaint was made by the health authorities as to the condition of the hospital?— No, sir. 492. Do you suppose they were satisfied with the condition? —I should suppose they were satisfied. 493. Colonel Davies.] You have seen me going into the hospital every morning !— Yes, sir. 494. And you heard me say that it was the best part of the ship and that it was remarkably well ventilated ?—Yes, sir. 495. Surgeon-Major Pearless.] When the measles broke out there was no necessity for more orderlies? —No, sir. 496. Do you think untrained orderlies would have been of any real use in nursing the sick men ? —No, sir; they would be only a hindrance. 497. If a man during the day was sent to the hospital by the doctor he would take a check to you ?—Yes, sir. 498. Would he not later on be seen by that doctor and his treatment written out ?—Yes, sir. 499. If he was not there when the doctor came down they would find out ?—The medical officer might forget. 500. I am talking about a man that would be sent during the day : would not that doctor go down soon after and write out his treatment ?—Yes, sir.