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Observer, Volume 2, Issue 37, 28 May 1881, Page 397

A brief conversation with Dr. Haines altogether confirms the view we took of the clergyman's complaint re his refusing to see the man Hulme. The doctor doesn't clearly remember the circumstance but he says he has no doubt it occured. According to Hulme's own account the regular consultation hour was over, and if the carriage was at the door the doctor is sure lie must have been in a great hurry to get away as ordinarily he walks. Hulme's proper course was to go and see Dr. Philson who had previously advised him and whose patient he was. Whilst on this .subject we may remark that some people appear to hold very curious vieM r s about medical men. They are not servants at the beck and call of every Dick, Tom, and Harry who chooses to send for them. A doctor has his regular patients who employ him constantly and have the first call on his services. If he feels that his time is fully occupied in attending to their ailments it becomes a positive duty not to undertake new responsibilities. A fashionable medico whose every moment is taken up attending to a vast and growing practice naturally demurs when requested to see a stranger through a long and complicated iluess such as Hulme's avowedly was. It is not as if there was only one medical man in Auckland. There are any number, and the majority — who are not plagued with large practices — would be only too glad to give Hulme (or anyone else with a guinea in his pocket) professional assistance.