THE HOSPITAL ENQUIRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8475, 28 January 1891, Page 5

THE HOSPITAL ENQUIRY.

WHY THE PROCEEDINGS WERE STOPPED.

NEW COMMISSIONERS TO BE APPOINTED.

[BY TELEGRAM. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Tuesday. The Auckland Hospital enquiry is giving the Government considerable trouble. Mr. Mitchelson has received a telegram from Auckland stating that the action of the Minister of Justice, Mr. W. P. Reeves, in postponing the commission is a gross outrage on the administration of justice, especially as it has been prompted by the Counsel acting for Miss Arnaboldi. I am assured, however, by Mr. Reeves that Mr. Rces neither wrote nor spoke to him on the subject till after the Government had taken action. The Government had the whole of the papers connected with the case before them, and seeing the telegram from Dr. Giles, asking not to be appointed on the commission owing to his old friendship with Dr. Collins, and owing to his already publicly expressed opinion adverse to the management of the hospital, the only course they could adopt was to adjourn the Commission till the Ministry had time to consider the matter. Mr. Rees says the inquiry being of such vital importance, he regarded it as essential that the tribunal should be absolutely impartial. It was for this reason that he had advised his client not to appear before the present Commission. The trouble will, I believe, be shortly settled by the appointment of a fresh Commission. In the House this afternoon Mr. Mitehelson gave notice to ask the Minister of Justice if it is true that, at the instance of the counsel of one of the parties concerned, His Excellency has been advised to adjourn the Auckland Hospital inquiry which had been commenced by the commissioners, namely, Drs. Giles and Hassell.