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J. DA V. LOUCH.j

1.02. Is that a short time for such a building ?—A very short time. The contract amount is ■£2,889, exclusive of electric lighting and drainage, which is being carried out by the Public Works Department. 103. Then it should have been completed by the 27th. June?— Yes. 104. It is not yet complete, is it?— The contractors w r ere stopped by the outbreak of the epidemic. 105. When were they stopped?—On Saturday last —I think about the 9th July. 106. How was it they had not got the building done to time?— They had a very short time in which to complete it, to begin with. 107. Do you mean that .they contracted for an impossibility?— More than they could carry out, I think. 108. Mr. Ferguson.] If you had secured all the men and material available, they would have great difficulties?— They had considerable difficulties in getting men and material at the beginning. 109. The Chairman.] You had absorbed the market to some extent, had you not?—So the contractors said. 110. Mr. Salmond.] Was' there any difficulty about rates of pay?— Personally I do not know anything about that. I know that our men were being very well treated. 111. The Chairman.] How long do you think it would take to complete the building?— About three weeks. 112. They have not resumed, have they?— Yes; the contractors received instructions to do so. 113. When did they begin again? —Yesterday morning. 114. Mr. Salmond.] What accommodation will that hospital afford when it is completed?— Accommodation for sixteen patients. It is a building of a permanent character, 115. And it affords nurses' accommodation?— Yes. 116. The Chairman.] Is there accommodation for a resident doctor?— No. 117. Coming back to the hutments : was there to your knowledge any discussion on the subject of lining the huts at the time they were projected? —Not to my knowledge. 118. Did you make any recommendation on the subject of lining?— No. 119. They are not lined at all, are they?— No. 120. Mr. Ferguson.] AVas there any suggestion made to you, in the course of construction, of the huts, that they should be lined?— No. 121. Dr. Martin.] In your opinion are the huts perfectly warm and comfortable ?—lt depends on the weather. 122. Say, in weather like the present?— They would be all right. * 123. The Chairman.] On a day like this?— Yes. 124. How would they be in wet, wintry weather: to-day is not the worst sample?—l have slept in many worse places. 125. I take it that you believe the huts would be cold on a cold day or on a cold, windy night? —On a cold, windy night I. dare say they would be cold, particularly if you, were sleeping on the floor. 126. You have been a good deal in the field in your time, I suppose?— Yes. 127. AA T ould you have preferred a tent with a wooden floor to one of these huts?—l never had the luxury of a wooden floor. 128. Would you prefer a hut to a tent?—l should like a tent all to myself, for instance. 129. I mean from the point of view of warmth and comfort, not from the point of view of isolation. A man would like a tent all to himself, no doubt; but supposing you had a choice between one of these huts and a tent, which would you prefer?—lt would depend on the situation. On a stormy night I think T should prefer the hut. 130. Dr. Martin!] In your opinion should those huts be lined? —I would not say so. I understand they are equal to the huts at Home. 131. Each of these huts holds a hundred men. Do you think they are comfortable and suitable in. every way as they are now?—l think there are too many men in the huts, to begin, with. 132. Have you any suggestions to offer regarding the huts as they are now?—l would suggest that the number of men in each compartment be reduced to thirty, and that the huts be provided with bunks or stretchers. 133. You do not suggest lining?—No; I do not think it would be necessary to line them. In my opinion if the men are raised up off the floor they will be much more comfortable. i 34. Why do you suggest that the number of men in each hut should be reduced to sixty? —Because they are very close. 135. On account of air-space?—lt would permit of air-space between each of the men. It would allow a space of about 2 ft. 6 in. for a bunk and about 2 ft. between the bunks—fifteen on each side of a compartment. The huts are 1.40 ft. long by 22 ft, wide. 136. The Chairman!] These huts, we may take it, were rather of a temporary character than intended for permanence?— That is so —in fact, it was suggested that some of the flooring be not securely nailed so that it could be taken up again in case it is required to be moved elsewhere. 137. Dr. Martin!] You have seen the tents out at Trentham? —The bell tents, yes. 138. Each tent holds eight men?—l believe so. I have had nothing to do with the tents 1,39. Do you think your huts are more suitable than bell tents? —Yes, T should say they were more suitable. T think they are preferable to tents. 140. The Chairman!] With regard to drainage and roads, have you had to do with these matters at all? —T have had to do with the sewer drains —the construction of them, not the laying-out,