THE AUCKLAND HOSPITAL INQUIRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2649, 21 December 1904, Page 63

THE AUCKLAND HOSPITAL INQUIRY.

DR COLLINS COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. AUCKLAND, December 16.

Dr Collins appeared in the Police Court this moi*ning charged with manslaughter in connection wi*"h the death in the Auckland Hospital of Wallace White. Accused was not required to occupy the felon'a dock. He pleaded " Not guilty." TheCrown Prosecutor, Mr Tole, who stated that ho Avai acting under instructions from tho Justice Department, called evidence to support the facts disclosed in the Royal Commission report. Dr Hardie Neil, crossexamined, said that Dr Collins did not display ability in getting the history of White's ease, and in that respect he was. negligent. Asked if iie considered Collins was doing what no reasonable surgeon would do, witness replied that he< would not say yes or no, but CoHins's diagnosis of appendicitis' was not reasonable^ The only excuse for Collins's action in making incisions- in th& ■ bowels was bewilderment. Witness had protested against the operation, but did' nofc , refuse to administer chloroform:

r After tho evidence- of Dr Neil had been concluded. Dr Savage was called, and. gave evidence similar to that given before the Hospital Commission. Dr Neil was examined at length regarding the operation *on Wallis White, referred to in the renort of the commission.

December 16.

In ihe case against Dr Collins, late surgeon of the Auckland Hospital, Dr Savage, eross-examine-d, said that making unnecessary incisions and closing them up would appreciably diminish any chance which was already poor of a patient's lifa. Evidence of an expert nature was given by Drs Gore, Gillon, and Purchas. The court then adjourned till Monday. AUCKLAND, December 19. In the manslaughter charge against Dr Collins (late surgeon of Auckland Hospital), evidence for the prosecution was concluded after Dr Gore Gillon and Dr Purchas had given expert evidence. Mr Cotter, solicitor for the defence, contended that no case had! been mad© out for committal.

After counsel concluded their addresses his Worship held that there was evidence that {here were two unnecessary incisions in the intestines, causing; unnecessary shock and accelerating death, therefore he thought fliero was a case before him to be sent up for trial. He was. sure that when the matter wont to the jury they would have an opportunity of hearing evidence which had, so far, not been called. Accused was then committed for trial.

Information from the country districts is to the effect (says the- North Otago Tunes) that the continued wet and cold weather has had a damagiji*. 3ffect on the- crops, and that sunshine ai*fj are required to make any appreciable jr>".,^jee in their oondition. A fisherman jWj. cTie Oainaru breakwater the- other day drew to the surface a shark, supposed to be from 7ft to 9ft in length. The weight of the fish, however, was toot great for the line, which broke, aud. the fish went off with the hook.