THE HOSPITAL INQUIRY COMMISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8487, 11 February 1891, Page 5

THE HOSPITAL INQUIRY COMMISSION.

Tim newly • constituted Commission appointed to inquire into tho charges made by Miss Arnaboldi regarding the treatment of certain patients at the Auckland Hospital, opened their sittings yesterday morning at the Minister's Rooms, Customs Buildings. The Commissioners were Sir G. M. O'Rorke and Dr. Von Mirbach. Mr. Theo. Cooper was present on behalf of Dr. Collins ; Mr. W. L. Rees represented Miss Arnaboldi; Mr. O'Meagher acted as counsel for the relatives of William Berry, one of the patients alleged to have been neglected ; whilst Mr. Cotter attended for the relatives of the other patient, Duncan McKenzie. Dr. Collins, Dr. Philson, Dr. King ; Messrs. Atkin, Dignan. and Bollard (members of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board); and Messrs. MeLnchlan, Duncan, and Proudfoot were also present. Sir G. M. O'Rorke read the Commission issued by tho Governor for tho inquiry. It is as follows :—

".Onslow, Governor: To all to whom theso presents shall come, and to Sir George Maurice O'Rorke, Knight, of Onehunga, in the provincial district of Auckland, and Baron Rudolph von Mirbach, Doctor of Medicine, Surgery, arid Midwifery, University of Ludwig-Maximilian, at Munich, of Waipawa, in the provincial district of Hawke's Bay, in the colony of New Zealand, greeting. Whereas certain charges have been made by M. I). Arnaboldi, a probationer nurse in the Auckland Hospital, against Floyd Collins, M.R.C.S., and Medical Superintendent of the said Hospital, alleging that the said Floyd Collins was guilty of neglect in the case of a patient named John Berry, and of neglect and unskilful treatment in the cise of a patient Duncan McKenzie, lately admitted to the said Hospital, and whereas the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board have requested that an inquiry should be held into the said charges, and it is considered desirable that these presents should issue : Now, therefore, I, William Hillier, Earl of Onslow, the Governor of the colony of New Zealand, in pursuance and exercise of all powers and authorities enabling me in this behalf, and acting by and with the advice of the Executive Council of the said colony, do hereby appointyou, the said Goo. Maurice O'Rorke and Rudolph von Mir bach to bo Commissioners for the purpose of inquiring into the truth or otherwise of the said recited charges, and into all matters incidental thereto or required for the full elucidation of such charges. And you are hereby authorised and empowered to have before you and examine all books, papers, writings, and documents whatsoever which you may deem necessary for your information on the subject matter of this inquiry, and also to have before you and examine on oath or otherwise, as may be allowed by law, all witnesses and other persons whom you shall judge to bo capable of affording you any information touching and concerning the premises ; and I do further require yon within thirty days from the date of these presents, or as much sooner as can conveniently be done (using all diligence), to certify to me, under your hands and seals, your several opinions touching the premises. And I do hereby declare that this Commission shall continue in full force, and that subject to these presents, you, the said Commissioners, shall and may from time to time, proceed in the subject matter hereof at such time and times within the prescribed limits as yon shall deem convenient; and I do hereby further declare that this commission is issued subject to the provisions of the Commissioners Powers Act, 1807, and the Commissioners Powers Act, 1867, Amendment Act, 1572. Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable William Hillier, Earl of Onslow, of Onslow, in the County of Salop ; Viscount Cranley, of Crauley, in the County of Surrey ; Baron Onslow, of Onslow, in the County of Salop, and of West Clandon in the County of Surrey ; Baron Cranley, of Imbercourb, Baroner, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Governor and Commander-HiiUhief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of\New Zealand and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same, and issued under the seal of the said colony at the Government House at Wellington, this Oth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one.—A. J. Cadman. Approved in Council.

Sir G. M. O'Rorko explained that the Commission was only to consider the charges made by Miss Arnaboldi. Mr. Rees said he wished for an adjournment, as he hud received notice only on the previous day, and required time to notify his witnesses to attend.

Mr. Cooper pointed out that, he would be engaged at the Supreme Court, on Friday, and suggested that the Commission should sit on Thursday and Saturday, and then on Tuesday, as he and Mr. Cotter would be engaged at. the Supreme Court again on Monday. Of course, as a notice of the Commission had been given only on Monday they had been unable to make any arrangements. It was at last decided to adjourn until ten o'clock on Thursday morning, and to hold the sittings in the public room of the Harbour Boutd Buildings, as the Ministers' room of the Customs Buildings has been found to be too small.