TWO MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 431, 1 October 1869, Page 3

TWO MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS.

An amusing mistake, said to be founded on an actual occurrence, is now going the roundg of the Queensland papers. It seems that Dr Manning, the Superintendent of Tarhan Creek Lunatic Asylum, is now on a professional visit to Brisbane, to inquire into the question of lunatic management there. The superintendent of the Queensland Asylum at Woogaroo is a Dr Challiner, who is reported as being,in colonial par tauce. somewhat bumptious in manuer, and swellish in dress. The two superintendents, it should be remarked, although both enthusiasts in their particular line of the medical profession, were personally unknown to each other. Dr Manning, it is said, started one morning very early to visit Woogaroo, and when in the vicinity of the Asylum, saw what he took for a native tulip in the bush, but which, on nearer approach, proved to be a crimson cap worn by a gentleman who figured in very showy costume, and who, from appearing in such a dress in such a place, was taken by Dr Manning for one of the inmates of the asylum. The account — we copy from the Queensland Times — goes on to say: Dr Manning is reported to be a thorough botanist, and an intense admirer of lovely flowers. "Is it possible." said he, as he ap proached Woogaroo early one morning, " that the unrivalled Waratah grows so far north as this ? " What a discovery he thou 'ht he had made, when, lo ! the unrivalled military figure of the gallant surgeon-superintendent came in view. "At least," said the visitor, after recovering from his disappointment and surprise, " now, if I have not made a botanical discovery, I know i am approaching the asylum. But what a new idea," said Dr Manning to himself, " quite new. In all my travels I never saw a patient humoured in this way before. Singular case, I dare say; fancies himself the handsomest man created, or a medical student probably ; very like Bob Sawyer, but is evidently harmless, by being permitted to roam so far from the house; and yet, if harmless, why detained in an asylum at all, for that cap must lhave cost something ? I never can consent to public institutions being filled with wealthy patients." " Fine morning," in soft tones, said Dr M. to the wearer of the splendid cap. " I was going to put " ■■ (with a " putty " accent on the word)— "the same remark to you," said the supposed patient. Exquisite case, thought Dr M., mind evidently affects his pronunciation aa well as his taste; I must make it my study. " Hare you been here long, my friend ? " " In heart I have, in body not." Ah I thought the cerebralist," extraordinary; and yet quite in keeping with his appearance. " Are you looking out for anybody, ray man ? " " For Dr Manning," was the unexpected answer. " Strange 1 thought the Doctor, that the poor fellow should have heard of my coming. Though he is evidently well treated, he wants to seek some favour from me. I must not let him know who I am, for I can grant nothing. " May I inquire your name, sir." " I am Dr Challiner, surgeon-superinten-dent of that asylum, captain (1) of the Ipawich Volunteers, and for many years sat as member of Parliament. " Oh ! of course," replied the skilful and tender-hearted questioner, "and I daresay you are the cause of much happiness and improvement." This was striking the key-note, the very chord and chorus, of the gallant doctor's system with a vengeance. "My mission on earth is, and all my life has been devoted to those objects." By this time Dr Manning took such a deep interest in his new friend (so the story still goes) that he thought he persuaded him to accompany him to the surgeon-superinten-dent's house, and you can imagine some of the astonishment of Dr Manning when everybody there told him that the wearer of that cap was not really one of the patients, and several warders had to be sent for ere Dr Manning could be persuaded that a tremendous hoax was not being played off.