GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 3005, 21 June 1886, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BUL, The House resumed on Tuesday, 15th instant, at 7.30 p.m., and again sat in committee on the Municipal Corporations Bill. Sir George Grey moved a further amendment—"that every person of the age of twenty-one years and upwards should have the right to vote for borough elections, and have one vote and no more." Sir R. Stout opposed the amendment, which was lost by 72 to 11. Sir R. Stout's amendment was then put and lost by 59 to 23. Mr Seddon moved (hat in the second sub-section the words £IOO should be altered to £l5O for two votes." Lost on the voices. COLOUR? OP STAMPS. In the House on Wednesday, Mr Seddon asked the Colonial Treasurer whether he will, at an early date, get the ordinary penny postage stamp or one shilling stamp altered in colour, they being at present so much alike as to cause confusion and loss. Sir Julius Vogel said steps were now being taken to render stamps more legible in character by putting a distinguishing mark on them. The dies had been overused and become faint. ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE OP A DOCTOR. In the House on Thursday, Mr Seddon asked the Government Has their attention been daawn to the fact that Dr. Davy refused to attend a patient at Kumara Hospital, notwithstanding that Dr. Davy was SurgeonSuperin'endent of the said Hospital at the time? (2) Has the rider attached to tire verdict at the inquest on Peter Smith, the patient above referred to, lieen forwarded to and brought under the notice of the Government] Mr Tole said Dr. Davy did not refuse to attend the patient, although he had severed his connection with Kuraaia Hospital. There was no rider whatever attached to the verdict at the inquest. Mr Seddon moved the adjournment of the House. He went into the whole circumstances, and read evidence taken at the inquest at great leDgth. He insisted that a rider was attached to the verdict, imputing caielessness to Dr. Davy, and said Dr. Davy's engagement did not terminate with the Committee, till two days after the patieut's death. Mr Downin Stewart said the evidence j certainly did show a certain amount of carelessness in this case. He knew of one case himself wherein a woman lost her life through the doctor refusiug to attend her, though he could easily have done so. Sir R. Stout said this was not a matter for discussion by the House, as the House was not iu a position to consider it ptoperly. It was a very objectionable practice to move the Hcljnu-nment of the House when replies to questions were not considered satisfactory.

Mr Tole considered (he statements made by Mr Seddon were quite unjustifiable, and were not borne out by Ihe information received by the Government. Dr. Newman said it was perfectly monstrous to suppose that any medical man would leave a patient without attending to his wants if be believed him to be seriously injured. He protested against imputations of this kind being made in the House, where members could shelter themselves under its privileges. Mr Larnach said he had known Dr. Davy for a long time, and felt perfectly satisfied he was incapable of acting in the manner attributed to him. The motion for adjournment was lost.