LATE DOMINION NEWS.

Mataura Ensign, 26 September 1913, Page 2

LATE DOMINION NEWS.

1 —— SUNNYSSDE MENTAL HOSPITAL. COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. PER UNITED ritJCSS ASSOCIATION. CHIiISi'CirIIJHCH, Sept. 25. A Commission of Inquiry in regard to the treatment of certain patients in the Sunnyside Mental Hospital was opened m chambers by Mr V. G. Day, S.M., Commissioner. He was empowered % his warrant to inquire into the reported treatment in the hospital of the late William Alexander Tribe, the late James Howie, the late Sidney Lionel Barnett, Lewis Allan Gourlay, and Danial Herlihy. Mr J. J. Dougall appeared for representatives of the late V'i'in. Alexander Tribe, and Mr T. H. Davoy, M.P., for the other parties. Mr S. G. liaymond, K.C., appeared for Drs Gow and Ram&botto-m, the medical superintendent and the assistant superintendent at the hospital. Evidence in tlie case of the late James Howio was opened by the calling of John Howie, and the case was conducted by Mr T. H. Davey, M.P., 011 the suggestion of Mr Day. John Howie, son of deceased, said that his father was taken to the mental hospital 011 March 15 dn accordajice with the regulations. Ho (the witness) did not sec his father until 28 days had elapsed. His father's condition when he went to the hospital was good physically. From the time his father went to the institution until when he saw him he had declined in a terrible fashion and it- came as a terrible shock to witness. His lather complained of reeeivod several thrashings, but there was 110 attendant there at the time when the complaints were made. His father had a pair of black eyes, and the attendant explained that he had' been stumbling about his cell and did, the damage. His father also appeared in a very dirty condition. He was a man of about 75 years of age; but when lie went to the mental hospital he was quito able to walk without assistance. On that occasion ho was perfectly rational, but complained about lack of adequate food. Nellie Hopgood, sister of the late Sydney Lionel Barrett, said that her brother had been sent up to the hospital from Lyttelton Gaol without any notification being made to her or other .relations. Her brother suffered from suicidal mania, and complained bitterly of being kept awake at night by cries and howls of patients near by. He said that he could not stand it, and. asked her to bring him some stuff to get him out- of this. Her brother said ho was suffering from some disease; but the ■flortors said that ho was not, and yet they would not allow him to do a little light work at _ nights because they said he was not fit -lor the slightest exertion. Her hj; other committed suicide on. th,a Thursday morning by throwing himself under a dray, and witness complained strongly of not receiving due notice of this event. The act was done on the Thursday, and they received 110 notice, until the Saturday, 011 which day her brother died. Slhe went tip to the hospital, and asked for information about the occurrence, but could get none,'and she went up again on the Sunday, with a like "rsult. The inquiry- will be resumed to-mor-vow.

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR UNION. DUNEDIN. Sept. '25. ■lho biennial meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Christian Endeavor [lnion was held to-day. The voport ff.liowed that tho movement was in a veiy lieaitliy condition. There wore 81 senior societies, with 24.02 active, 225 associate, and 275 honorary members; 75 junior'societies, with 2689 members; ,and two intermediate societies, with 87 members, making » grand total of 102 societies with 4722 members. Auckland societies had contributed £348 for foreign and £4B home missions, and Wellington societies £9O for foreign and £35 for home missions. No other unions had reported their collections. Reference was made to tho forthcoming World's Convention in Sydney in March and to the proposed visit of Dr F. E. Clark to New Zealand next year. The chief hindiiuiees to progress of all movements were stated as follows.—(1) Attitude of ministers; (2) formation of Bible olaSvses' and kindred organisations; (3) demand on tho time of young people by technical education and military training ■ (4) lack of interest in spiritual life by young people. The spiritual tone of the movement had maintained a high standard and the prospects of the future were very bright. The election of officers resulted:— President, Rev. H. B. Gray; vice-oresi-dente, Revs. T. J. Pinfold, G. Highway, W. Gray, Dixon and Mr F. Oldrieve; secretary, Mr A. W. Jacobson; treasurer. Mr It. 1). Cowpar; executive, Manson McNeill and Mr W. H. Hi tit The Auckland Union won tho increase banner.

CHOKED BY A PEANUT. WELLINGTON, Sept. 25. A child named Murray, living in Wellington South, was choked to death this afternoon through swallowing a peanut. FOUND DEAD. WELLINGTON, Sept. 25. James Henry Hope, alias Meonaghan, a widower, aged 62 years of age, was found dead in his robins aliovo the "Hat Box" premises in Manners Streofc at lialf-pasfc eight this morning. The deceased was formorly in business as pro-

prictor of a fish saloon.