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Marino and Inspection of Machinery Department, Wellington, 31st January, 1919. With reference to your memorandum of the fOth instant, addressed to Captain Blackburne, Nautical Adviser to this Department, asking for certain evidence which was given as to the cubic space per man which the accommodation on the, transport " Tahiti " provided on the occasion when the influenza epidemic broke out, I have to state that the evidence has been checked and an inspection has been made of the space, on board, the vessel. This inspection shows that the space per man on the different decks was as follows :— In hammocks—32o men. Forward, 'tween-decks .. .. .. 103 cub. ft. 280 „ Alt, 'tween-decks .. .. .. .. 106 „ ~ 170 ~ First saloon, on spar-deck .. .. .. 87 ~ ~ 50 ~ Second saloon, on spar-deck .. .. ..148 ~ In bunks 162 ~ Main deck: Rooms including passages .. .. 189 ~ Main deck : Rooms alone, average, over . . . . 110 ~ ~ 60 ~ Poop : When 81 berths are occupied . . .. 92 „ ~ 36 ~ Boat-deck :In house on port side .. .. 72 ~ ~ 9 ~ Boat-deck: These, men must have been in hospital or in a similar house on the starboard side. In either case the space would have, been ample. The space against poop is shown when fully occupied, as I do not know how the 60 men were berthed. I return herewith the, plan forwarded with your memorandum. Georoe Allport, Secretary. Lieut.-Colonel R. 11. Makgill, Assistant Director of Medical Services, Defence Department, Wellington.

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