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Observer, Volume 2, Issue 36, 21 May 1881, Page 385

Dr. Haines is so deservedly popular and well-liked that we are loath to impute to him even the smallest incivility. The following facts have, however, been laid before us by a well-known country clergyman, and as it aeems better for the sake of all parties they should be either explained or contradicted, we now publish them. Some time ago a man named Hulme, living up Waikato way, fell ill and came to town for medical advice. He went first to the Hospital and saw Dr. Philson, who told him he possessed as good a constitution as any man in in ew Zealand, and merely needed quiet, good feeding, &c. On this Hulme returned home, but finding, after a time, he grew worse instead of better, came to town again, and, having heard much of Dr. Haines' cleverness and plain speaking, determined to consult him. After two or three ineffectual attempts to see the much-run-after medico, Hulme caught him coming out of his consulting-room in Shortlandstreet, and asked for an interview. The doctor replied brusquely, " What's the matter

with you ?" and on hearing the ailment was something serious said, "Haven't time to go into your case." The man at once retorted that though lie was a poor man he didn't want advice gratis, and was quite willing to pay the usual fees, whatever they might be. The doctor, however, reiterated that he couldn't see the poor fellow (who, it is alleged, was so ill as to he almost fainting), and, jumping into his carriage, drove off. Now we can quite see that there may he two sides to this story. For instance, if a regular patient of the doctor's was seriously ill and imperatively needed his services, he would be quite justified in temporarily declining to see a new patient, however indisposed that new patient might happen to be. Our informant differs with us on this point, and condemns what he terms the doctor's "heartlessness. " We cannot, however, go as far as this. It would be jumping very much to conclusions to suspect a man like Dr. Haines (on doubtful premises too) of the unutterable snobbishness of throwing over a poor man merely because he teas a poor man.