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79. Colonel Valintine is doing now what Colonel Purdy did?— Yes. 80. What is Colonel Valintine's new title?— Director of Military Hospitals. 81. Mr. Salmond.] Do I understand that Colonel Purdy still occupies the position of Director of Medical Services?—He is still Director of Military Services as far as I know, but his powers are, I think, limited. 82. Has he nothing to do with the camp?—No, except with the selection of the material. 83. Drugs?—No, the personnel to go into camp. 84. Medical inspection ?—Yes. 85. He has no longer charge of the medical administration of the camp?—No; that conies under Colonel Valintine. 86. When did that change take place?— About three weeks ago, speaking from memory. 87. Shortly before the appointment of Colonel Morice? —Yes. 88. Dr. Martin.] You spoke of the Inspector of Military Hospitals? —The Director of Military Hospitals. 89. He is responsible to the Health Department?— That is so. 90. He has no military position at all, then?— They have given him the rank of colonel, and as Colonel Rhodes is also a colonel they have made him Assistant Minister of Defence. 91. Who is Colonel Valintine's military chief?—He comes under the Adjutant-General's department. 92. You see the possibility of confusion with the two titles?— Well, those are the titles they have created. 93. Mr. Salmond.] Would it be correct to say that Colonel Valintine is responsible for the work which Colonel Purdy formerly did ?—That is so. 94. What other Medical Officers are on the staff of the camp ?—There are the medicos that are appointed to go with the reinforcements. 95. The only other Medical Officers are those appointed to go with the reinforcements?— Yes; they serve in camp and then go with the reinforcements. 96. How long would they be in camp?— For different periods. A medico might be in for two reinforcements or only for one. 97. Can you indicate what is the longest period that any medical man was there? —No, not from memory. 98. It might be from one to three months?— Yes. 99. Or more —four months? —Yes, fully four months. 100. The Chairman.] For two reinforcements it would be four months? —Yes. 101. Mr. Salmond.] How many of these medical men would there be in the camp at the same time?— They vary —from four up to twelve. 102. And how many were there when the camp broke up a few days ago?— That I could not say, because the whole thing was confused. They got medicos from the hospitals. 103. How many men were there in the camp when it recently broke up ?—Approximately, in round numbers, about seven thousand. 104. Is that the largest number that has ever been there?— Yes. 105. And what was the smallest? —About two thousand —at the opening of the camp. 106. So that the number of men in camp ran from two thousand to seven thousand : on an average how many would there bo? —After the Third Reinforcements, about four thousand. 107. How long does' the same man stay in camp as a rule—the same soldier—three or four months ?—About four months. 108. Does he get any period of leave during that time?— Yes, he gets leave according to whore he lives. We allow him sufficient leave for him to have seven complete days at home. 109. The Chairman.] Out of the four months? —Yes. 110. He may be away from seven to twelve days, then?— Yes. 111. Mr. Salmond.] Then, in regard to leave for a day at a time or an afternoon?—lf he has any special or urgent business to do we generally allow him off for half a day or a day. 112. To go to the theatre or something of that sort?— That is general leave. We grant 15 per cent, of the troops leave every night, and 30 per cent, two nights in the week—Wednesdays and Saturdays it used to be. 113. And how long would a soldier be compulsorily in camp without being able to get away, say, during the first week or fortnight?— There is no leave granted the first week he comes into camp. 114. But after that, I mean, into town?— There is nothing to stop him from getting into town two or three times a week. 115. Now, as to the site of the camp : do you consider it was suitable in respect of size for these men ? You say there were seven thousand men: was it large enough ?—lt would be if the buildings were completed. 116. The Chairman.] Then the area is quite ample, is it —the superficial area?—-Yes, if the buildings are completed. 117. Then the present buildings are deficient for seven thousand men? —I want to make it plainly understood that the area would be sufficient provided the buildings are completed. It makes a big difference to have to house troops in huts instead of in tents. 118. If the hut accommodation were increased it would be sufficient?— Yes, because that is permanent. 119. Mr. Salmond.] But for tents you do not think it is a sufficient area—supposing all the men had to be put in tents? —That is so. 120. The Chairman.] It would not have been large enough if they were all in tents?— That is so.

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