THE COSTLEY HOME (REPORT OF COMMISSION ON), TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1904 Session I, H-26

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1904. NEW ZEALAND.

THE COSTLEY HOME (REPORT OF COMMISSION ON), TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

COMMISSION.

Ranfuhly, Governor. To all to whom these Presents shall come, and to Richmond Beetham, of Masterton, in the Provincial District of Wellington, gentleman, and Richard Walker Anderson, of Sydenham, in the Provincial District of Canterbury, medical practitioner: Greeting. Whereas the Committee appointed by a meeting of representatives of contributing local authoritise in the Auckand Hospital and Charitable Aid District held an inquiry into the management and general condition of the Costley Home, Auckland, an institution under the control of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and reported that the same was in a most unsatisfactory state, and recommend that a Royal Commission be appointed to inquire into the condition and management of the Home: And whereas it appears expedient that a Commission should be appointed to inquire into the management ancf general condition of the said Home as aforesaid : Now, therefore, I, Uchter John Mark, Earl of Ranfurly, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, in pursuance and exercise of the powers conferred by "The Commissioners Act, 1903," and of all other powers and authorities enabling me in this behalf, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, do hereby appoint you the said Richmond Beetham and Richard Walker Anderson to be a Commission for the purpose of inquiring into the management and general condition of the said Costley Home, and into any allegations, complaints, or charges which may be duly formulated and laid or preferred before you touching the said Home. And for the better enabling you to carry these presents into effect, you are hereby authorised and empowered to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents at such place or places in or near the City of Auckland as you may deem expedient. And you are hereby authorised and empowered to have before you and examine all books, papers, writings, accounts, records, and documents whatsoever you may deem necessary for your information on the subject-matter of this inquiry or any part thereof: 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 be capable of affording you any information touching or concerning the premises. And I do further require you 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 hand and seal your proceedings and your opinion touching the premises. And I do further declare that this Commission is issued under and subject to the provisions of " The Commissioners Act, 1903." Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable Uchter John Mark, Earl of Ranfurly; Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael (1.5.) and Saint George; Governor and Commander-in-chief in and over His Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies; and issued under the seal of the said Colony, at the Government House, at Wellington, this second day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and three. Issued in Executive Council, this second day of November, one thousand nine hundred and three, Alex. Willis, Clerk of the Executive Council. I—H. 26,

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E E P O E T.

To His Excellency the Right Honourable Uchter John Mark, Earl of Ranfurly, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander-in-chief in and over His Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies. My Lord, — We have the honour to report that, in carrying out the duties imposed upon us by your Commission, we first inspected the Costley Home, after which we proceeded to take evidence tendered to us by the late manager of the Home, Mr. John Moss, and the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board; also the evidence of witnesses who, in our judgment, were able to give us information as to the past and present condition of the institution. We find that in April, 1883, the sum of £12,150 was bequeathed by Edward Costley to the Old Men's Home at Auckland. The capital sum, with the accumulated interest, was paid to the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board in 1886. The buildings were completed in 1890. When the purchase-money of land recently acquired is paid, the sum of £1,363 4s. sd. will be the balance left in the hands of the Board. With the exception of the interest on the balance still in hand the cost of maintenance of the Home is borne half by the local authorities of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid District, and half by the Government in the form of a subsidy. The Home is under the control of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. The buildings are of brick. The main building of two stories contains the Manager's quarters, the dining-rooms for the male and female inmates, the female-wards, the maternity ward, and the kitchen with its offices. The men's wards are situated about 30 yards to the rear of the main building, and are connected with it by a covered way. Situated a short distance from the malewards is a building appropriated to the use of married people, tenanted at present by two old couples. There are also two refractory-wards, one for males and one for females. They are only used in exceptional circumstances. On our visit we found the male refractory-ward was tenanted by two old men who voluntarily slept there. Immediately behind the men's quarters is the laundry, and about 150 yards from the main building is situated a large piggery. The buildings stand on 16 acres of land. Immediately upon our arrival at Auckland we paid a surprise visit to the Costley Home. We found it in an exceedingly dirty condition. The beds and bedding were filthy and uncared-for: the general aspect of the dormitories was desolate and comfortless. The clothes of the inmates generally, and particularly those of the patients in the infirmary wards, were dirty; some of the inmates were infested with vermin : the bedding was dirty and inadequate, even that fresh from the laundry appeared to be only half-washed; many of the beds and pillows in both the male and female dormitories were of coarse straw. (On a subsequent visit we found that in the female infirmary ward, containing thirteen beds, ten mattresses and three pillows were of straw, the remainder being of kapok.) The bedsteads were of iron, many of them having been brought from the Refuges thirteen years ago. They were in a dilapidated condition and unsulted to present requirements. At the entrance to each male-ward there is a small day-room furnished with benches, a table, and a fireplace. Many of these day-rooms contained beds, which are occupied in some cases both day and night. These rooms were dreary and uncomfortable. The baths were insufficient in number, and were in a filthy and insanitary condition. There is an insufficient supply of hot water. The heating apparatus for the whole institution consists of a 36-gallon circulating-boiler attached to the kitchen range. Any additional hot water required has to be heated outside. Some of the baths are not connected with the hot-water system. The outside closets on the men's side are fitted with earth-pans: those on the women's side are flushed with water, as also are those attached to the men's infirmary ward. The urinals were badly constructed, and were in a dirty and insanitary condition. We were present at the dinner-hour of the inmates. The dinner consisted of soup and badly boiled meat of second quality, cabbages, potatoes, and bread. The method of service was defective, the soup, meat, and vegetables being placed upon the table before the inmates were summoned to their meal; the consequence was that the meat and vegetables were cold before they had finished their soup. The cooking appliances we found to be obsolete and inadequate. Many of the inmates complained of the bad quality and insufficient quantity of the food, also of the want of sufficient butter at tea, which we saw was very scanty. The system of drainage was found to be defective and insanitary. The whole of the drainage of the institution, including the piggeries, empties into a large brick-lined tank. The sewage is pumped by hand from this tank and spread on the garden. This is a menace to the health of the inmates and the surrounding district. Some of the sewage from the tank is led into a volcanic fissure; its ultimate destination is unknown. The laundry, which has to do the washing for the whole of the Auckland Hospital and the Home, is quite inadequate to cope with the work, the appliances being obsolete. The present staff at the Home consists of a Manager, who is a young married man with a family—his wife taking no part in the affairs of the institution. They occupy the Manager's quarters and have the services of a housemaid, whose duty it is to attend upon the Manager and his family, and to keep clean the main corridor of the building, and the Manager's offices. The Manager is assisted by two male attendants, a night watchman, a cleaner, and two cooks. On the

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female side he is assisted by two nurses. .None of the stall have received any training as nurses, with the exception of one of the female attendants who has been for nine years an asyium-attendaut. There are very few inmates who are able to assist either on the male or female side. A medical man visits the institution three times a week, and at other times if urgently required. There are three beds in the maternity ward, one of which was occupied at the date of our inspection. The class of persons we found in the Home were principally old people, most of whom were suffering from the diseases incidental to old age. Many of tiiem were bedridden, paralysed, epileptic, blind, or imbecile, requiring constant attention, which it was impossible they could receive owing to the limited and incompetent staff of the institution, und its imperfect appliances. Wβ found in the Home five persons who, in our opinion, and in the opinion of the medical man in charge, were mentally deranged and unfit to be in the institution. The necessary steps were taken during our visit, at the instance of the medical officer, to have these persons examined, with a view to their being sent to the lunatic asylum. We also found a young man suffering with phthisis who is since dead. There is also a boy in the Home, who was sent in from the hospital, whose thigh had been recently amputated. The number of inmates at present in the Home is 196, of whom 151 are males and 45 females. Sixty-one of the inmates receive old-age pensions, 7 receive old-age and Imperial pensions, 2 receive Imperial pensions only, while 18 inmates are paid for by their friends at the rate of from £1 to 3s. per week (see return attached). The institution receives the moneys so paid to pensioners, and allows them Is. each per week for pocket-money. We found that the staff of the Home has always been insufficient. When the services of Mr. and Mrs. Moss, the former Manager and Matron, were dispensed with, the staff was as follows: The Manager, assisted by his wife and one female nurse, two male attendants, a housemaid, and one cook, the number of inmates at that date being 173. The laundry staff always was and is employed exclusively in laundry work. The garden and ground are under the care of a gardener and an assistant, those of the old men who are able to do a little work finding light employment under his directions. Vegetables for the use of the Auckland Hospital and the Home are produced in the garden. About fifteen old men are employed in assisting the six paid laundresses. Excluding the present staff, there is abundant evidence of drunkenness in the institution extending over many years, both as regards some members of the staff and the inmates. Some members of the staff who had been repeatedly reported for drunkenness were, notwithstanding such reports by the then Manager Mr. Moss, retained in the service of the Board, in some instances with the consent of the Manager. This is subversive of all discipline. With the above exceptions, the Board and the Managers of the Home appear to have done their best to suppress drunkenness. It is unfortunate in this connection that there is a licensed house within a quarter of a mile of the institution. We inquired inter alia into the complaints by John and Eliza Moss as to their dismissal from their positions as Manager and Matron of the Home. While we are of opinion that the Board was fully justified in dispensing with their services after giving them an opportunity of resigning, which they declined to do, we feel that Mr. Moss, as Manager, had for many years carried on his duties under great difficulties. One of the reasons why the Board dispensed with his services was on account of the dirty condition of the Home. We are of opinion it was absolutely impossible to keep it clean with the staff at Mr. Moss's disposal. He repeatedly drew the attention of the Board to the fact that the stafi was insufficient, without receiving any substantial addition to it. It appears to us that the Board were far more responsible for the dirty and comfortless condition of the Home than were Mr. and Mrs. Moss. With reference to the charge against Mr. Moss that he was harsh to certain inmates, we are satisfied —1. That he placed a woman in the refractory-ward in the ordinary course of his duty and omitted to report it. This was a neglect of duty. 2. That another woman was harshly treated by being kept for thirteen days in the refractory-ward when she was known to be an epileptic. It was perfectly clear to us that the relations of Mr. Moss with the Board had become so strained in many ways that it was imperative a change should be made. As regards the present staff of the Home we consider it insufficient. We are of opinion that, as most of the inmates are aged invalids, fewer male attendants and more trained female nurses should be employed. It frequently happens that intractable male persons are admitted to the Home, but we think that the Manager, assisted by one male attendant, should be able to deal with such cases. All other classes of inmates, whether well or sick, would be better looked after by women. Take, for instance, the jnfirmary wards, male and female, which are filled with aged sick persons requiring careful and constant attention which can only be given to them by hospital trained female nurses. At present there is no night nurse in the female infirmary ward, and a night watchman varies the charge of the male infirmary ward with a general oversight of the whole institution. The result must be that the patients are neglected except for the care that one sick person can give to another. We recommend the following staff: (1) A Manager ; (2) a Matron, who should be a trained nurse; (3) one male attendant; (4) three trained female nurses on the male side; (5) three trained female nurses on the female side —one of these nurses to act as a night nurse in the male infirmary ward, and one in the female infirmary ward. These nurses should not be less than thirty years ago. This is irrespective of any cooking staff that may be necessary. We recommend that the old bedsteads be replaced by new ones of hospital pattern, that all straw mattresses and pillows should be abolished, and that mackintosh sheets should be used where required. The bedding should be thoroughly overhauled, a great number of the blankets being worn threadbare. Lockers or cupboards of a uniform pattern should be provided for each inmate, and

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more easy-chairs are required in the wards and day-rooms. More baths should be provided and connected with the hot-water system, which should be improved. There should be a pantry connected with each infirmary ward, fitted with a small gas cooking-stove. At present if hot water or food is required during the night it is not available. The maternity ward is, we think, entirely out of place in such an institution, and should be abolished. A better quality of food should be provided. It should be better cooked, and served hot when the inmates are seated at the tables. The present stove is worn out and inadequate, and new cooking plant is required. The pan-closets should be removed and be replaced by water-closets of a modern pattern. The urinals should be refaced with fine cement and constantly Hushed with water. The paths round the whole building should be asphalted and surface-drainage attended to. The present system of disposal of sewage should be abolished as dangerous to the community, and a modern septic tank constructed. The practice of washing the clothes and linen of the Auckland Hospital should be discontinued. If only the washing of the Home was treated, the laundry, with some improvements, would be able to cope with it. The piggeries, we were informed, produced an income to the Board of £300 per annum. It is, however, very questionable if they should be so near the Home. If they are connected with the septic tank the evil will be minimised. There should be more planted space, with outdoor seats, for the recreation of the inmates. At present nearly the whole of the ground is devoted to the garden. It is very desirable that the inmates should be classified. It has been stated that classification is impossible. We do not think so. There are six male-wards and four iemale-wards, and it should certainly be possible, with the exercise of a little care and judgment, so to arrange and classify their inmates that there need not be any intimate association of unsuitable persons in the wards. At present there is no attempt at classification. There is no doubt there were vermin in the Home during the management of Mr. Moss, and there are vermin in the Home now. There is no reason why there should be if reasonable care is taken as to the cleanliness of the Home and inmates, and if every person admitted is properly bathed and their clothes baked before admission to the wards. The Auckland Hospital and the Costley Home are under the control of one Board. We consider it would be of the greatest benefit to the Home, and probably to the Hospital also, if this system of management were abolished and they were under separate control. It will be seen that we consider the condition of the Home under the present Board and Manager highly unsatisfactory. The well-being and comfort of the inmates is sacrificed to a system of economy, which does not appear to meet with the approval of the representatives of the local bodies who supply their quota of the funds. There was abundant evidence before us that the local bodies were prepared to provide the means to place the institution on a proper footing. We think that, in addition to the abolition of the present system of control, a complete reorganization of the resident staff from the Manager downwards is imperatively necessary, and that the greatest care should be taken in the selection of those in whose hands the internal management of the institution is placed. It will be noted in the comparative table E, attached to this report, that the expenditure for the maintenance of the Home for the year 1903 is £4,516, as against an expenditure of £3,328 in the year 1901, showing an increase of £1,188. This is accounted for partly by the increased staff of the institution and the general rise in price of provisions of all kinds, and partly by the fact that the number of the inmates had risen from 173 in 1901 to 196 in 1903, entailing an increased expenditure under every head. There is also a large increase in the number of deaths, shown in 1903 as sixty-six, against thirty-eight in 1901. This is accounted for by an epidemic of influenza, which also rendered necessary a larger expenditure in medicine and medical comforts. We are of opinion that the reorganized staff which we recommend would not entail a much larger expenditure than the present staff, while it would result in much greater efficiency and infinitely more comfort to the inmates of the Home. The Commission sat for twelve days to take evidence. We visited the Home on three occasions, and took the evidence of many of the inmates there. We examined forty-nine witnesses. We further append to this report,— A. A copy of the will of the late Edward Costley. B. A table showing the cost of maintenance per inmate per year from 1891 to 1903, the condition of the staff year by year, and the daily average number of inmates of the Home. C. A return showing the number of inmates who are in receipt of pensions, and the number of those whose friends contribute towards their support. D. A statement showing the expenditure for the maintenance of the Costley Home for the year 1902-3. E. A comparative table showing the increase in the expenditure on the Home from 1901 to 1903. We beg to attach to this report the original evidence taken by the Commission, together with a typewritten copy thereof. We have the honour, &c, Richmond Bebtham, ■ Richard W. Anderson, Dated at Auckland, this 25th day of November, 1903. Commissioners.

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A. The Will of the Late Edward Costlet. This is the last will and testament of me, Edward Costley, of Auckland, gentleman. I give, devise, and bequeath to my friend, James Coates, of Auckland, bankers' clerk, the clear sum of four hundred pounds; and to Kate Jackson, the daughter of my old friend, Samuel Jackson, solicitor, Auckland, the clear sum of four hundred pounds; and to Hannah Macky, wife of Alexander M-acky, of Auckland, coachbuilder, for her sole and separate use, the sum of three thousand pounds; and to the said Samuel Jackson, and to my friend, David Hean, of Auckland, bauker (with the exception of the sum of one hundred pounds which I give to him), the residue of my real and personal estate, in trust in equal proportions for the following charities in Auckland, namely: (One) The Auckland Hospital; (two) the Old Men's Home; (three) the Parnell Orphan Home; (four) the Auckland Institute, Princes Street, the Auckland Public Free Library; (five) the Sailors' Home, inaugurated or being inaugurated by Bishop Cowie, and the Training-school at Kohimarama: And I empower my executors hereinafter named to define the persons to whom the moneys or legacies ,shall be paid in trust for the charities or objects, and the receipts of such persons shall be an absolute discharge to my executors for any payments made: And I declare that the aforesaid personal legacies shall be free of all legacy duty: And I appoint the said Samuel Jackson and David Hean executors and trustees of this my will. Dated this sixteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-three. Edward Costlet.

B. Costley Home Staff, etc.

c. Inmates of the Costley Home in Receipt of Pensions, etc. Number of inmates who receive old-age pensions ... ... ... ... 61 Number of inmates who are Imperial pensioners and also old-age pensioners ... 7 Number of inmates who are Imperial pensioners but not old-age pensioners ... 2 9 Number of inmates paid for by other Boards or by friends and relatives (viz., 1 at £1 per week, 6 at 10s. per week, 1 at Bs. per week, 3 at 7s. 6d. per week, 1 at 7s. per week, 4 at ss. per week, 1 at 3s. per week, 1 odd sums) ... ...- ... 18

D. Maintenance of the Costlet Home for the Yeae 1902-3. £ s. d. Medical officer .. ... ... ... ... ... ... 125 0 0 Salaries, indoor staff ... ... ... ... ... ... . 622 9 7 Provisions — £ s. d. Groceries ... ... ... ... ... .. 919 6 5 Bread ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 352 3 8 Meat ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 426 4 3 Milk ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 219 19 10 Vegetables ... ... ... ... ... ... 101 14 3 2,019 8 5

Maintenance Cost per Inmate per Year. Daily Average Number of Inmates. Indoor Staff, Male and Female : Manager, Assistants, Cook, and Domestics. For Year ending 31st March. Laundry Staff, Female. Garden Staff, Male. M. F. Total. 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 £ s. 16 5 17 9 15 19 15 18 16 17 15 19 16 6 16 13 16 0 17 4 17 6 19 3 21 4 d. 5 9 4 6 2 7 1 8 8 6 8 6 8 148 160 152 158 164 176 172 171 191 178 173 184 196 3 Q 8 d T2 3 8 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 7 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2* 3 3 4 5 tV 5 6 6 6 6 6 7 i* 10 1 2-2-r 3 3 3& 3& Q 3 Q1O S" 5* 1 -"-12 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

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Maintenance of the Costley Horne — continued. £ s. d. Tobacco .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 164 10 8 Medicine ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. 118 1 3 Wines and spirits ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 21 18 11 Gas for wards and staff ... ... ... ... ... ... 71 4 11 Fuel for wards and staff ... ... ... ... ... ... 181 3 10 Bedding and clothing ... ... ... ... ... ... 284 12 7 Material and repairs .. ... ... ... ... ... ... 253 2 2 Interments ... ... ... ... ... ... . . 54 16 0 Printing, advertising, and miscellaneous ... ... .. ... 30 2 6 Cab hire and fares ... ... ... ... ... .. ... 72 16 1 Insurance ... ... ... . . ... ... ... ... 12 10 0 Rent of site ... ... .. ... ... ... ... ... 2500 Furniture ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. 56 18 7 Water-supply ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 11 6 0 Laundry ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 60 4 6 £4,185 6 0 Stock and Garden Account. £ s. d. £ s. d. Wages, gardener, and assistant ... ... ... ... 183 0 2 Manure, seeds, horse-feed, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 127 13 10 Pigs bought, and slaughtering ... ... ... ... 20 2 0 £330 16 0

B. Expenditure in the Costley Home for the Years 1902 and 1903.

1902. 1903. Increase. Percentage of Increase. Average daily number of inmates 173 196 23 13 Indoor salaries Medicines Provisions ... Wines and spirits £ 420 38 1,504 5 52 132 31 116 £ 622 118 2,019 21 71 181 72 253 £ 202 80 515 16 19 49 41 137 48 197 34 320 36 37 132 118 Gas Fuel Cab-hire Material and repairs ... Total cost of maintenance 3,328 4,516 1,188 35

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MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

Wednesday, 11th November, 1903. John Moss sworn. I desire to subpoena a number of witnesses. I desire that the Chairman of the Charitable Aid Board give evidence. George Joseph Garland sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. lam the Chairman of the Charitable Aid Board. There was no other evidence on which the Board acted as regards your dismissal except what you have received a copy of. I was not the Chairman of the Board at that time. Mr. Bruce was. I am not aware that any request for evidence was refused by the Board. Some evidence was sent to you by the Board. I believe it was a correct copy. I voted for your dismissal on the evidence furnished to the Board. I remember the commencement of the inquiry. The reason why you were not allowed to crossexamine witnesses before the Board was to save you from odium. The Press were excluded from the inquiry for the same reason. I was not in favour of the Press being excluded, because whatever came out should have been known to the public. I was not in favour of either you or Mrs. Moss being present. I considered the evidence sufficient to dismiss you, with your wife. I read the evidence. There were contradictory statements in the evidence. I was not aware of any bias on the part of witnesses. The doctor was called (King). I cannot recollect what the doctor's evidence was. I was not aware that any serious complaints against you and your wife were omitted. The whole of the evidence was handed to the Press. You sent in an answer to the charges. I considered the statements of the witnesses were to be relied upon. I knew Miss Mark for a short period. I had known- you and Mrs. Moss about six months when the inquiry was held. I do not remember Mrs. Plaice at the Home, or Miss Mark mentioning her case. Miss Mark stated that the patients were crawling with vermin. At that time there were about 187 patients in the Home. I did not understand that the whole of the patients were crawling with vermin. Other witnesses were called on that point, and they confirmed it in some cases. I cannot remember whether the doctor confirmed it. Ido not remember Miss Graham. I believed the evidence given before the inquiry to be true. Ido not know why Miss Graham was not called before the Board. Ido not think she ought to have been called on a trivial statement. There were several serious charges against you —-(1) that of vermin abounding in the Home, (2) that of injury to Kinghorn, (3) the placing of Mrs. Gertrude Campbell in the refractory-ward from the 13th to the 28th November, 1900. I was told that you had been eleven years in the institution. If these three charges were proved, I should consider them sufficient to warrant your discharge. I remember Mrs. Helen Campbell in the institution. Miss Mark made a statement about that woman. I noticed no discrepancies in her evidence on that matter. Miss Mark said Mr. and Mrs. Moss hauled Mrs. Helen Campbell down to the refractory-ward. I noticed that two witnesses said you were dragging her, and two said you were not dragging her. I cannot be certain at this lapse of time. I was not aware that Miss Mark was not in the institution. I was wishful that the matter of the examination should be made public, but at, the same time I thought that you and Mrs. Moss should be discharged. The Board was asked by a deputation for a public inquiry. I offered no objection to the deputation seeing the evidence on which you were dismissed. I was in favour of your having a public inquiry so long as you paid for it. I do not remember the Women's Political League urging an inquiry, or offering to pay for it, or the Trades and Labour Council either. That would be about August, 1902. I think the management of the Home has improved since your discharge. I do not remember any complaints from Dr. MacGregor or the Governor, or Mrs. Grace Neill, but I do remember reports of a general nature of the management of the Horne —reports in the street casually made —and also from Purvis. He said you were a brute. I took that statement with a grain of salt. I saw Mrs. Grace Neill's report. I sympathised with any efforts to minimise the evils of drink. You were right in attempting to put down drunkenness in the Home. Ido not know if you had support from the Board in that respect. Ido not think that had anything to do with the bias of the witnesses. I was not aware that many of the witnesses had been in conflict with you about their drunkenness. • Some of the inmates of the Home had been reported for drunkenness since you left. The Manager has not been reported for drunkenness, or for being absent at races, or gambling. I never had any report of your being drunk at the Home. 1 have inferred from what you have said that you do not believe that Jesus Christ is a Divine person. In a certain degree your religious convictions unfitted you to occupy your position at the Costlev Home. You had men there of all sects, and they would naturally feel some antipathy to a person who thought differently from themselves. That did not enter into the question at all. I do not think that neutrality is desirable under those circumstances. I may have stated that Mr. Moss owing to his religious beliefs, was unsuitable for the position of Manager. I cannot say what your religious belief is. I only know my impressions about it. I have no recollection of any complaints being made to the Board about your religious views. Your manner to the Board and to me was always courteous, but tinged with autocracy. Nothing was wron» about your accounts. You never told me a lie that lam aware of. I found you were incompetent when I came to look into the condition of the Home after you left. I consider your staff was insufficient in number Generally, I should think they were efficient personally. The staff has been increased since you

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left by, I think, three persons. It is possible the Home may have suffered from the inefficient staff as regards numbers when you were there. The improvements that have taken place in the Home since you left are not altogether due to the increased staff; they are partly due to it. There have been some of the staff, perhaps two or three, discharged for drunkenness since you left. The staff is appointed on the recommendation of the Costley Home Committee of the Board. I think the usual practice is to advertise. I do not remember any member of the Board recommending a member of the staff privately. There was no outside influence brought to bear on these appointments. I am aware that there has been an increase in the expense of the upkeep of the Home since you left. I have called the attention of the Manager to that. There has not been any report to the Board of friction between the Manager and his staff. I cannot remember how I or the Board obtained the information as to your treatment of Kinghorn and Mrs. Gertrude Campbell. The first I heard of it was at the Committee meeting at the Home. John Court sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. I have known you three years. I was a member of the Council about two months prior to the inquiry. I did not know much about the management of the Home at that time. I heard the evidence at the inquiry. I thought you were all right. I considered the inquiry to be a fair one. I considered it fair that the Press, yourselves, and the public should be excluded from the inquiry. I had the greatest confidence in the Board that they would do justice. The evidence was submitted to you. Ido not remember the resolution produced, 18th June, 1901. I believe most of the witnesses were hostile to yourself and Mrs. Moss. They did not exhibit bias or animus against you. I do not if Miss Mark was discharged from the Auckland Lunatic Asylum, I considered the evidence sufficient to warrant your dismissal. Cruelty to patients was the worst charge brought against you. I went through the evidence carefully, and gave it great attention. No witness was refused a hearing, so far as I know. I remember something of a petition. I put very little value on petitions. The inquiry was held in camera in the interests of the Home and the old people. The evidence was submitted to you, and you made reply. I was biassed in your favour before the inquiry, if anything. I heard Kinghorn's evidence, but cannot remember what it was. I know nothing about Thomas Dunn. I remember evidence that you had sent Dunn to the laundry and garden to work when unfit. I believe he died the same night, or the night afterwards. 6'Callaghan made charges against you. He said he had lain in bed five days unable to urinate, and had had no attention. I remember it being stated that Dr. King had attended the man, and prescribed for him, but that Mr. Moss did not give him the medicine, but gave him two shillings' worth of gin in two days. I did not know that O'Callaghan and you had been in conflict on account of his drunken habits. I know Mrs. Gertrude Campbell. T should say she is between thirty and forty years of age. She was admitted as an epileptic patient. I sympathize with your determination to put down drunkenness. I know nothing of your religious opinions, and did not hear the subject mentioned. I am sure the Home has improved since you left. I heard complaints about your management before you left. We would have given you a larger staff if you had asked for it. The improvement in the Home is due to better management, larger staff, more harmony between the staff and the inmates. The increased cost of the upkeep is due to the increased staff. I had no personal animus against you. My reason for refusing a public inquiry was that we considered ourselves competent to manage it. A small section of the public are, I believe, dissatisfied with the management. All the Leagues were refused for the above reason. I never told any one that I accepted Mrs. Moss's evidence as the truth. The place was very dirty, and infested with vermin. Ido not remember if the doctor was asked if there were vermin. That the place was dirty is a reflection on the Board. By Mr. Cotter: I have been a business man for forty years. It was not intended on the part of the Board to take any advantage of Mr. and Mrs. Moss. They were given full opportunity to answer the complaints made against them. They were first asked to resign by a unanimous vote of the Board. Upon their refusal to resign, they were dismissed. The position was advertised. Mr. Moss was one of the applicants. Be-exnmined by Mr. Moss: You gave reasons why you should not resign. John Gordon sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. I have known you for ten years, when I first became a member of the Board. I had formed an opinion of your character. At times I have had great doubts as to your ability to manage the Home; at other times I had not. I went through portions of the Home nearty every fortnight. You were courteous up to the time you were dismissed. I used to have a little gin-and-milk from you at the Home. I never sneered at you for bringing cases of drunkenness before the Committee. I have seen the Home in an unclean condition. I have seen vermin on the inmates. I have spoken to members of the Board about that. The inquiry was absolutely fair. You were always supported by the Committee when you reported any of the inmates for drunkenness. O'Callaghan's statement as to his treatment when ill was supported by evidence. You had neglected your duty. No material fact was in doubt. Kinghorn did not say you did not assault him. He never said he'had not complaints to make against you, but he had against, the Board. Mr. Stichbury mentioned to the Board that something was wrong, and that there should be an inquiry held. That was Kinghorn's matter. I remember you reporting Kinghorn drunk to the Board's Committee at the Home. I do not remember any written report. The evidence of your maltreatment of Kinghorn was complete The marks of it were seen on the man. I do not remember the date of the assault —possibly November. The inquiry was held in February. I cannot remember Kinghorn being brought before the Committee. If you had reported it in the usual way, I have no doubt he was. I remember Mrs. Gertrude Campbell. I do not remember you reporting her. I heard about your treatment of Gertrude

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Campbell from Nurse Phillips, I think. If she told me, then it must have come within her official cognisance. I first saw Miss Mark on the night the inquiry was set up. Miss Mark, I believe, was under Mrs. Moss for less than twelve months. Miss Mark was not discharged from the Asylum at Auckland. I moved that an inquiry should be held, because I could not be a party to the Board stultifying itself, the Board having deliberately arrived at a conclusion in the matter. At the time of the inquiry your religious opinions were not considered by any one, as far as I know : certainly not by me. The inmates have talked about your religious convictions, "that you did not believe in anything." I was always in sympathy with your efforts to put down drunkenness, as was the Committee. I have been at the Home since I ceased to be a member. The Home is much cleaner and much better than it was when you were Manager. A public inquiry was held about two years after I became a member with reference to charges against you ; the result was that you were acquitted. For seven or eight years before the inquiry Ido not remember any objections or complaints by the Governor, Dr. MacGregor, Mrs. Grace Neill, or Sir Hector McDonald. I have seen that complaints have been made by high persons since the inquiry. The vacancies in the staff were filled by the Home Committee, frequently on your recommendation. There may have been occasions in which members of your staff were appointed without your acquiescence. Ido not remember any case in which you objected strongly to an appointment by the Board. I was present at some of your meetings. There was an inmate named Dunn in the Home. I do not remember Bennett. By Mr. Cotter: I am a Justice of the Peace. Mr. and Mrs. Moss were furnished with an abridged statement of the evidence. The names of certain of the witnesses were not furnished, in order to save the witnesses. Mr. and Mrs. Moss were properly excluded. The Committee and the Board did not hold Mr. and Mrs. Moss guilty of the charges laid against them till they had a full opportunity of refuting those charges. I do not know that the Board has refused to hear any evidence Mr. and Mrs. Moss had to produce, or that any witness produced by them was refused to be heard. I remember G. Downey coming to give evidence after the matter was disposed of. During the years that I have been a member of the Board 1 have frequently heard persons, whose word cannot be doubted, make remarks as to the bad way in which Mr. and Mrs. Moss performed their duties towards the inmates. I cannot give their names.

Thursday, 12th November, 1903. Frederick William King sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. lam a legally qualified medical practitioner. lam medical officer to the Costley Horne —ever since it has been an institution. I have known you and Mrs. Moss for thirteen years. I believe your characters are good. With the exception of one interim, our relations have always been harmonious. The one instance was a personal matter. You were always kind towards the inmates. You were devoted to your duties. I never saw any act of unkindness on your part. You always co-operated with me in my duties. I never complained to the Board. I stated at the inquiry that, so far as I knew, everything in connection with the Home was all that could be desired. I never knew Mrs. Moss to neglect her duty to the maternity ward. She gave me complete satisfaction there. I remember Miss Mark being there. Mrs. Moss did work there. I remember T. Dunn, an inmate, suffering from senile decay ; cause of death apoplexy. I am not quite sure of that. He was able to do light work up to the time of his decease. I was often asked if an inmate was fit to work. I never heard of a cancer case being supplied with flour and water. I remember T. O'Callaghan. He was insubordinate at that time. He has since improved. I was aware of his drunken habits. He was a harmless old man. Ido not remember O'Callaghan being in bed five days without urinating. He had bladder trouble. Did not know that he was neglected. Ido not remember your asking me if you could purchase gin for him. If the inmates apply for comforts, such as gin or whisky, and can purchase it, they are allowed to do so under supervision. I do not know if you gave him gin. The staff during your tenure of office was not numerically sufficient. Misses Mark and Phillips were good and capable women. Johnston and Skene were good men. I have heard complaints, both on the male and female side, of drunkenness as regards the attendants. I remember one case of Johnston and Skene being reported by the Manager for drunkenness. I know you applied for an increase of your staff. Some of the staff who were reported for drunkenness were reinstated by the Board. I never saw the drunkenness myself, but drunkenness would affect the institution. A great number of the inmates were suffering from vermin. A lotion was always kept at the Home for that purpose. This could only be prevented by absolute cleanliness, and the application of drugs and the lotion. I have seen people admitted absolutely alive with vermin. You could not be held responsible for that. The institution was opened in August. I took charge in October. Ido not know anything about the opening. The palliasses and the bedsteads came from the Hospital and the Refuge of Auckland. You held periodical bed-inspections. I ordered the bedsteads to be cleaned. I do not know if it was done. Some of the palliasses were destroyed. There is a decrease of the vermin since you left. I consider the Home is in excellent condition. The increase of the stafl has something to do with that. I think you and the present Manager are about on a par. I hear no complaints from the old people, nor did I when you were in charge. I remember a cancer patient called Rodgers. I cannot remember him getting drunk. I remember Gertrude Campbell. She was an epileptic, and had outbursts of violent temper, and would get beyond bounds. The Costley Home is not a place for a great many people who are there, nor for epileptics. I remember your reporting her to me for drunkenness. She has left the Home. She had fits in the Home. The diseases were not entered in any book at that time. I believe dead bodies were removed at 2—H. 26.

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once. Miss Mark never reported to me to the contrary. I know something about your religion. I remember Mrs. Helen Campbell. I do not remember black eyes. I never saw a bruise on the back of Kinghorn's hand. I dc not remember Mr. Moss refusing milk or beef-tea to dying patients. You had words with Mi c -i Maik in my presence. Very strong language was used by you. You said she had been in the Asylum in attendance on lunatics, and was only fit to be in attendance on lunatics. She handed me her resignation in consequence of that. You appeared to be annoyed about something, and told her she had made a statement that you had nothing to do but black people's eyes. By Mr. Cotter: It is not part of my duty to examine the beds or linen of the patients at any visit. I was satisfied with the demeanour and attention of Miss Mark. Ido not think Miss Mark used objectionable language. I believe Mr. Moss said that Miss Mark had become a lunatic herself. I do not think that Dunn, within a week of his death, was fit to do either pumping 01 garden-work. I repeat my evidence, given at the inquiry in 1901, about Mrs. G. Campbell. I do not think it was proper treatment to put her in the refractory-ward from the 15th to the 28th November unless she was visited frequently. There was not a sufficient staff to do that. Inmates could have looked after her, say, every hour. If that could not have been done, she should not have been kept there. I think I saw her in the refractory-ward. I have no positive recollection of that. Assuming that she had been there for thirteen days without books or papers, and only visited at meal-times, that would not be proper treatment. I do not remember any dead body being allowed to remain all night in the ward. Re-examined by Mr. Moss: I do not remember my attention having been drawn to the urine in the bed and in the chamber of O'Callaghan. Mrs. G. Campbell's eye might have been discoloured in a fit. There were mutual recriminations between you and Miss Mark on the occasion of the misunderstanding. The word " fits," in pencil, was written at the time of the inquiry before the Board. W. E. Gillam sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. I am vicar of St. Matthew's, Auckland, formerly vicar of Ellerslie, and honorary chaplain to the Church of England inmates of the Costley Home from 1894 to 1899. I have known you and Mrs. Moss since 1894. I formed a very high opinion of your and Mrs. Moss's characters and attendance to your duties at the Home. I never saw any evidence of unkindness on your part. I never heard of any complaints. The inmates always spoke of you kindly. The men in No. 6 Ward especially spoke gratefully of your kindness, especially those who were suffering from urinary troubles. There were some words between us once about my breaking the rules of the institution. Until one knows you, your manner is brusque. I never saw any evidence of vermin, either in the male or female side. I know that you did not hold the Articles of the Catholic faith, but I looked upon you as a religiously disposed man. Your opinions would not unfit you for your position at the Costley Home. As far as I know, you never interfered with the religious convictions of the inmates. I made inquiries on that subject. I asked the Board for the evidence on which you were discharged. The Board refused to give it to me at first. Afterwards, Mr. Cox and I were allowed to read the evidence in the Board-room. I know nothing justifying your dismissal. I was aware of difficulties you had as regards drunkenness in the Home. Jambs Stichburt sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. I have known you and Mrs. Moss since 1895. Up to the time I left the Chairmanship in 1899 your characters were all that could be desired. I changed my opinion when the inquiry was held. I was a member of the Board at the date of the inquiry. I noticed a great difference when 1 returned to the Board. The inquiry was held at my instigation. I made no charges against you. There were complaints that you were not treating the inmates properly. Complaints were made by Mackintosh and O'Callaghan and the employees. I know that O'Callaghan and Mackintosh were drunkards. The inquiry dealt with their statements. The members of the staff who complained were Mounsey, the gardener, and the laundresses. Complaints were made against the head laundress for drunkenness, and were looked over on your recommendation once or twice. You also complained against the gardener once or twice. I remember I told you both that one of you would have to go if you could not get along. I did not address myself to Mounsey specially. I was then Chairman of the Board. I think the witnesses were reliable. I know of no witnesses on your behalf who were refused a hearing. The reason you were not present at the inquiry was because the old people would be afraid to give evidence if you were Ido not remember about a petition from the old people being before the Board. I. thought you were treated justly all through. You declined to resign. The Press had the documents for publication. The Board did not delete anything. Ido not remember your asking for an inquiry into the affairs of the Home. Ido not remember stating that most of the charges were admitted by you and Mrs. Moss. I did not notice I had been misreported at the first meeting of the Board after the inquiry. You admitted in your statement that the Home was dirty. There were certain trivial matters brought up at the inquiry—(l) the ducks and the milk; (2) that Mrs. Moss never did any work at the Maternity Home; (3) re the dead body. That matter was passed over. The inquiry had sufficient to go on without that. The serious charges were- (1) the ill usage of Kinghoru, (2) the ill usage of Mrs. Campbell, (3) the reports of the employees as to the dirtiness of the Home and inmates. The witnesses were Mrs. Gardner, head laundress; Mrs. Pell, a laundress; Mrs. Wood, a laundress; Mr. Mounsey, head gardener; McGuire, an inmate; Miss Mark; Miss Phillips. They complained that the Home was dirty, and that you were not so kind to the inmates as you should be. I knew you had had differences with Mrs. Gardner, but they had been smoothed over, and you had recommended she should be kept on. I knew you had been in conflict with Mr. Mounsey. You made no application to be called. The charge re Gertrude Campbell was a bad charge. ' I know the rules of the Home. I was continually haggling at the Government for not supplying a

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home for these epileptics. It was well known that Mrs. Campbell was subject to fits. I believe yon knew of it. Miss Mark said she had fits. You had sufficient staff to keep the Home clean if you had done the work as you did when I was on the Board before. I do not remember there being 205 inmates. 1 think about 180 at one time. I know nothing about the Home now. The applications for employment were always submitted to you before appointment. I do not know anything about Phillips's appointment. You were dismissed for neglect of duty. 1 heard Mrs. Moss had given out stores, but I considered that to be your duty. I do not know that you received £25 a month. There has been an increase in the expenses since you left. That was on account of the increase of the number of inmates. I do not know how Mrs. G. Campbell got her black eye. I know one James, an inmate, an epileptic; also Ryan. I know there were several epileptics in the Home. You were not brought face to face with the witnesses. I never found you wanting in courtesy to members of the Board or myself. You were rough with the old people and Miss Mark. 1 believe you defied the Chairman, Mr. Bruce, on one occasion. William Skene sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. 1 was acting as an assistant in the Home for two years. I never saw any cruelty from you to any of the inmates. Some of the inmates were very troublesome at times. You were always considerate to them. 1 never heard any complaints from the inmates. 1 remember the periodica* bed-inspection. There were bugs in the old bedsteads. We used to take the beds to pieces and use kerosene, turpentine, or carbolic acid. I remember lice and bugs being in the palliasses. The beds were repainted. The majority of the inmates on their adiri.. sion were infested with vermin. If you had sufficient help you could exterminate the vermin. There is no possibility of classification. The Home was full when 1 was there. I never heard of any order from the Board with regard to the extermination of the vermin. You had trouble with drunkenness in the Home. Anderson and Murray were drunken inmates. I remember O'Callaghan. He was drunken. 1 never heard of his bladder-complaint. He used to be sick sometimes and stop in bed. 1 remember James Carpenter. Food or light diet was never refused to him. I remember Thomas Dunn. He was light-headed prior to his decease. I cannot remember his doing hard work. I cannot recollect his death. I remember Kinghorn. I was two years in the Home from September, 1898, to September, 1900. There was not sufficient staff in the Home. There were only two of us besides the Manager. We had about twenty-seven bedridden cases to look after. There were about 140 men in the Home at that time. My duties were to attend to the infirmary ward, the cancer ward, and the refractory-ward. 1 served all the meals after being cooked. Mr. Moss and the cook used to see to the other people. We helped when we had finished with the others. I bathed the old men. There were six baths. The old men used to get a bath whenever we could give it to them. Some had a bath three times a week; some once a month. The dietary was the same for the infirmary ward and the others unless something was ordered by the doctor. Some had light diet, such as bread and milk, and eggs. I was not able to look after theso old men as they should have been looked after. I do not think they were comfortable. Some of them were clean. The beds were clean. The beds were stuffed with straw. The pillows were one straw and one kapok. The straw was changed once a week, and the mattresses had to be burnt about once a week because they were sopped through. By Dr. Anderson: I had no experience before going to the Costley Home with sick people. 1 had been farming. All the men would have been outside during the day for those two wards alone. I was on night duty every alternate week, then my mate took day duty, and vice versa. By Mr. Cotter: There were vermin in the infirmary ward. As far as I knew, the beds outside the infirmary ward were free of vermin, except that brought in by the new arrivals. I had to take my share in looking after the other beds and keeping the place clean generally, as well as looking after the infirmary ward. I had plenty to do. A number of the inmates were able to assist in working the institution. They did assist, about half of them. None of them could do a day's work. They could only potter about and do a little. Ido not think any of the inmates would bo a great help to us in the wards. We wanted stronger men than what were in the Home. Those old men will not do things satisfactorily. They will not keep things clean. There might have been vermin in the outside beds without my knowing it. I have seen the Home since I left. I visited it in September, 1901. In wet weather we were sometimes unable to change the patients' or the inmates' linen for a fortnight, or the bed-linen either. I and my mate used to wash all the linen of the infirmary ward and cancer ward with the assistance of one of the old men. We paid him for helping us. We did that in addition to our other duties. We used to wash sheets, blankets, waterproof sheets, and the men's shirts. The rest — i.e., quilts, pillow-cases, towels -went to the laundry. The laundry appliances were not adequate. I was paid £50 and board and lodging. Wo had the same food as the inmates. The staff and the inmates worked harmoniously. Recalled by Mr. Cotter: The statement in the report dated 22nd June is correct. Hugh D. McKay sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. J am of no occupation. I have known you for about seven or eight years. I never heard a legitimate complaint against you or Mr. Skynner. I have visited the infirmary ward. The men were kindly and considerately dealt with. I think you were proper persons for the position.

Friday, 13th November, 1903. Edwin Cox sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. lam a dental surgeon. I have visited the Costley Home frequently. I have known you for nearly fourteen years. I discontinued my visits in consequence of what I considered the unjust

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treatment of Mr. and Mrs. Moss. I considered your characters good and your administration capable and efficient, and characterized by kindness to the inmates. I never saw the Home swarming with vermin. I rarely entered the rooms of the Home. 1 never heard from the inmates any statement as to unkind treatment. I saw the evidence on wliich you were discharged. Rev. Mr. Gillam saw the evidence. The staff, in my opinion, was not sufficient. I know of no adequate or just reason why you should be discharged. Eliza Moss sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. I was Matron of tlie Costley Home. My appointment was that of assistant. 1 was there about eleven years. I was at the Upper and Lower Refuges for four months before that. My duties at the Home were to attend to the sick, and to control the inmates and staff under my husband's directions. At the commencement my relations with the inmates and the staff were harmonious. I remember a Mrs. Reid who was sent there by the Board. She was in receipt of charitable aid. I was in conflict with her. She was sent to assist me. She was bringing sewing to the Home to be made by the inmates. 1 objected to that. 1 remember Mrs. Crawford being sent there. She was receiving charitable aid. She was sent to relieve the Charitable Aid Board from keeping her. She was sent to assist in the Home, with the exception of the maternity ward. She was there about a year. I objected to you that they were incompetent assistants. I remember a Miss Calvert being engaged by the Board. She was a trained nurse. She was satisfactory. She was with me about seven years. I remember Miss Hames being sent to the Home. She was a trained nurse. She was about two months there. She was satisfactory. She left. I remember Miss Mark coming. I did not get on with her. She went to bed in the afternoon. She did not obey my instructions. She assisted me in the maternity department a little. She was unsuitable. I tried to be friends with her. You also wished to be friends with her. She was very good sometimes and very bad sometimes. She was subject to tits of depression. She imagined things. She came from the asylum. She had been engaged there about ten years. She was quarrelsome sometimes. Her influence on the inmates was very bad. She would quarrel with them and refuse things for them. She was liked by very few inmates. I never refused to allow her to take milk or beef-tea to any patients. On one occasion I asked her not to take milk to the maternity ward. She was giving a baby the wrong milk. 1 had control of the maternity ward subject to Dr. King. The patients were not crawling with vermin. Some of them were brought in with vermin on them. One cannot keep vermin out of the Home altogether. I do not remember any one ever complaining about the vermin in the beds. I had a periodical bed-inspection. The staff was not sufficient. I remember Mrs. Plaice. She was suffering from bed-sores Ido not remember the, doctor ordering her to be poulticed every four hours. If poultices were ordered they were put on at 8 o'clock. 1 often worked amongst sick inmates during the night. I never neglected sick or dying patients. I remember Mrs. Graham. She was an imbecile. I never gave her a pair of boots much too small for her. I never encouraged inmates to be insolent towards Miss Mark. 1 remember Mrs. Helen Campbell. I never helped you to haul her down to the gaol. We never took her to the gaol. I never took her to the gaol by myself. I took her there assisted by Nurse Calvert. She was only in the gaol once. Miss Mark was not there when she was taken to the gaol. She did not come out with two black eyes. She was taken there about 9 p.m. She was making a terrible noise. A deputation of the inmates waited upon you. They wanted to go to sleep. Mounsey was not there. She was brought back to the building about 7 a.m. the next morning. The gardener was not on duty at that time. Mrs. Campbell said she was very sorry. She did not complain of the treatment. She was not dragged to gaol. She went willingly. I remember Gertrude Campbell. She was remonstrated with for coming to the Home drunk. I did not know at the time of her admission she was suffering from epileptic fits. I never knew she was subject to them. She was sent to the refractory-ward for insubordination. She was very abusive to me and to you, and to the inmates. Her conduct towards the men was indelicate. I spoke to her about it. I had complaints about it from the inmates and one of the staff—the cook. Her conduct was violent. You remonstrated with her. No violence was used in taking her to the ward. She threw herself on the ground. She had attention paid to her while in the refractory-ward. Had there been more staff she might have had better attendance. She had books and papers while in the ward. She had no black eyes when she came out. One eye was a little discoloured. Ido not know how it became discoloured. I remember T. Dunn. He was very erratic at times. He used to ask you for work. You never sent him to do hard work or requested him to work or leave the institution. 1 have had trouble with the female members of the staff for drunkenness. Mrs. Gardner, the head laundress, used to get drunk and could not do her work. 1 remember Miss Phillips. She was not friendly to me. From the commencement she wanted to be head. She never complained about the cancer quarters being filthy. The bath-rooms and the cupboards were not filthy. She never complained about their being filthy, or the bedsteads in the maternity ward. If they were filthy she should have done so. I have had to complain about Nurse Phillips's treatment of patients of Mrs. Patterson and Mrs. Albrechter. She put Mrs. Patterson in a bed filled too full of straw, and she fell off. She was injured in falling -hurt her face which was cut. She put some drops in the eye of Mrs. Albrechter. I did not instruct her to do so. The eyes were much swollen in consequence. The attention of the Board was called to that matter by you. The members of the Board were Mr. Jamieson and Mr. Friend, and others. I do not know what came of it. It caused friction between myself and Miss Phillips. I do not consider Nurse Phillips a suitable person. She did not like the work and ignored my authority. I do not remember her complaining to me about the infrequeucy of the baths. She never reported to me that the inmates were swarming with vermin. Some of the inmates refused to take baths. They never complained about not being bathed. I never knew you to act unkindly to any inmate. I remember Kinghorn. You had some trouble with him. He tried to hit you because you refused him leave to go to the cattle-

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show. You asked him to go to his ward. He closed with you mid resisted, and fell down. You went to pick him up. He used his stick then. You took hold of the stick and my son took hold of the other. You picked him up and took him out. 1 saw uo injury on him. He never complained to me at any time. He was about sixty or seventy years of age. My son was a schoolboy. You did not call upon him to assist you. You were not unnecessarily rough with him. Y r our relations were harmonious with him afterwards. By Dr. Anderson: The number of confinements during the eleven years would be about two hundred. 1 have had no training in midwifery or any hospital training, nor Miss Mark either. Dr. King and myself attended the confinements. Nurse Calvert sometimes. The doctor was not always present at the confinements. He never refused to come when 1 called him. Only one cast; died. Dunn was not responsible for his actions. We had about two cases of cancer one in the Hospital. Some of them had external cancer with open wounds. They were offensive. They were isolated in the cancer ward. By Mr. Cotter: I remember being called as a witness at the inquiry. I do not remember having seen the precis of the evidence produced. 1 do not know if my husband sent a written reply. I cannot say whether Mr. Moss had my authority for sending in the statements produced, but if my husband has sent in a statement to the Board referring to me and making statements on my behalf lam prepared to abide by that statement. 1 never knew my husband to send in reports without consulting me. I agree with my husband's remarks about Miss Mark he has made in tlnU statement. 1 cannot swear that 1 never saw the statement in blue typewriting. Ido not recollect what the charges were. I must have seen the statement in blue, as 1 have referred to paragraph No. 3in such statement. I knew when 1 was called to the inquiry held by the Board that I was answering the complaints of Miss Mark. 1 had full opportunity given to me by the Committee to make my explanation of the charges made against me. I was not brought face to face with the witnesses. Miss Mark was there for about a year. 1 did not make any written complaint to the Board that she was unfitted to perform her duties. 1 considered she was unfitted for her work. 1 do not think that her being an attendant in a lunatic asylum had anything to do with her unfitness. In about a fortnight I found out her unfitness. I thought she would improve. 1 would not say she was wholly unfit for her work. When we went away once she was fourteen days in sole charge of the Home. I did not consider her unfit for that then. We were not suspended during the inquiry. 1 think we ought to have been present duriug the examination of the witnesses. We were asked to resign about the 9th March. We wanted a public inquiry. lie-examined by Mr. Most: Mr. Johnston, Mr. Moss, and myself took Mrs. Gertrude Campbell to the refractory-ward. I was not allowed to attend patients with open wounds while attending to maternity patients. Charles Hardy sworn, and examined by Mr. Cotter. lam a settler of Mount Albert. I know the Home. I visited it during Mr. Moss's management. A friend of mine, Mr, Watt, was in the Home. That was two years and a half ago. 1 went there three or four times. 1 found a bad stench round his bed. He was in a bad condition. I turned down his bedclothes. He was in a filthy state and complained about it. By Mr. Mat*: That was during your administration. My friend was paralysed. It appeared to be a sick-ward. I did not visit him after you left. Ido -not know his initials. I saw the body -i.e., the face -after he died. I saw you in the ground on one occasion. He died a few days after you left. It would be about a mouth before lie died that I saw him in a bad condition. I knew John West. He did not go with me. I went with my wife. Edmund Dutton sworn, and examined by Mr. Cotter. I reside in Auckland. 1 knew Mr. Watt. I visited him at the Home during Mr. Moss's management. Watt was paralysed. He was sound in mind. He complained. I turned down the bedclothes. He was in a dirty state. His body was filthy. The bedclothes were dirty. I found that on several occasions. He was without complaints at the Hospital. He appeared to be brokenhearted. He died afterwards. He wanted attention, and if he had had it he would have lived for years afterwards. By Mr. Moss: I visited the Home several times. I cannot say how many. Ido not know if 1 signed the visitors' book. I came late one night when he was dying. I think lie died next morning. I went up with Mr. Garland. We left the cab about 100 yards away. Ido not think I had your permission to go in. The man was dying. I may have had supper in your diningroom that night. Mr. Skynner was in charge when Mr. Watt died. John Edward Tati,oh affirmed, and examined by Mr. Moss. lam a farmer at Mangere. I was a member of the Charitable Aid Board for three years. I knew you in 1897, when I became a member of the Board. I had known you in your connection with Mr. Barrett. I used to attend the Committee-meetings at the Home. I formed a high opinion of yourself and Mrs. Moss as regards your ability, honesty, and integrity, and especially as regards the humanitarian treatment of the patients. I never knew you to neglect the inmates. The staff at the Home was unsatisfactory, both as regards quantity and quality. You made several applications for more assistance. I proposed it should be granted, but was not supported by the other members. I think you had sufficient latitude allowed you as Manager. I know your religious opinions, and Ido not agree with them. Mr. Garland said you were an atheist, and on that account alone had no right to be in the position you were in. You never obtruded your religious view on any one. I heard no special complaints about vermin in the Home. I heard no complaints about it. I do not remember any complaints about your character. I remember Mackintosh. He was discharged from the Home several times when I was on the Board. He

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made private complaints to Mr. Stichbury about you. I saw the evidence against you. I attended one meeting of the Board holding an inquiry into the charges. The Press and public were excluded. Some of your witnesses were there, and were ordered out of the room. They were told they would not be heard, and would not be required. The reporters were told that also. The meeting was held in camera. Some of the charges were abandoned. I think the charges were trumpery. You were dependent on the tank-water at the Home during the summer. That gave out, and it had to be carted two miles, at a cost of £1 per day. If you had had more water the Home could have been kept cleaner, also the inmates. The laundry was in a bad condition. You complained about it. By Mr. ('otter: I ceased to be a member of the Board about November, 1900. I was there at the commencement of the inquiry. It was resolved that it should be held in camera, and that all witnesses except those under examination should be excluded. The meeting I allude to was a meeting after the inquiry had terminated. I copied the evidence for Mr. Moss, aid showed it to him. The charge as far as Mrs. Gertrude Campbell is concerned is not a trumpery charge. 1 was not present at any of the meetings when the witnesses gave their evidence. Henry Nelson Garland sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. I have known you since 1889. I have always considered you to be honest and capable, and you are an abstemious man. We had several tiffs, but nothing of any consequence. Your clerical work was always correct. So far as your administration came under my knowledge, it was capable. I said to Mr. Taylor that I did not think the charges were sufficient to warrant your dismissal, taking into consideration your length of service; but I did not hear the inquiry. I was not present at it. Ido not remember telephoning you the morning after the inquiry. By Mr. (Jotter: I was not present at the Home at the inquiry. I compiled the precis of the evidence to be sent to Mr. Moss. I prepared the precis of the evidence from the evidence given. I was instructed what to send. I was not directed to withhold anything. I was directed to send certain portions of the evidence which related to them. What I was to send was pointed out to me by the Committee. I think the precis sent is a fair statement of the charges made against Mr. and Mrs. Moss. Only one copy was sent, I think. Mrs. Moss was assistant to Mr. Moss. I received the reply from Mr. Moss. The reply was sent in before Mr. and Mrs. Moss were examined viva voce. I have no recollection of any complaint having been sent in by Mr. Moss, either as regards Miss Mark or Miss Phillips. I remember Miss Mark's appointment. She was appointed temporarily on trial. She was permanently appointed on the 4th December, 1899. The appointment of Mr. and Mrs. Moss is dated the 27th March, 1890, by letter. Alexander Bruce sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. I have known you fourteen or fifteen years —four or five years before I came upon the Board. I had a very high opinion of you up to the time of your trial. I remember the cook, G. Downey. He was about three years in the Board's service under you. I remember his applying to be relieved from his duty. I, as Chairman of the Board, granted him liberty if he found a substitute, which he did. The substitute presented testimonials. I do not know the nature of the duties of the cook at the Home. It would take about, perhaps, eight or nine days to make a cook proficient in his duties. I do not remember your reporting the unfitness of Morris as a cook (the protest was produced). I have known you let away the cook for a week, and put one of the old men on. There are two cooks at the Home now. lam a member of the Board at the present time. I remember your reporting the unsatisfactory nature of the bread supplied by my son-in-law. Some was brought down to the Board. There were, I think, five present on the Committee. You objected to the light weight, and the Committee told you you could not get it when stale bread is delivered. By Mr. Cotter: I was Chairman of the Board at the time of the inquiry. I had a very high opinion of Mr. and Mrs. Moss at the time of the inquiry— i.e., when it commenced. I voted upon the evidence. There were rumours about cruelty at the Home. When the evidence was taken we submitted a precis of the evidence taken to Mr. and Mrs. Moss, for them to answer. On their answer we considered there was sufficient evidence to warrant their dismissal. After we received their answer, we had them before us and heard them in extenso. We heard both sides without one side being present when the other was examined. Our reason for doing that was because we believed the charges were of a flimsy nature, and, knowing that the old people were under them, we did not want to cause friction between the inmates and Mr. and Mrs. Moss in the event of nothing coming of the charges. We called no witnesses after examining Mr. and Mrs. Moss. By Mr. Moss: I remember a complaint made by temperance people about the drunkenness in tlio Home about three months ago. I may have said that I saw no evidence of it. I remember your bringing under notice drunkenness in the Home in your time. I left the Chairmanship of the Board about three years ago. In my opinion, there was no other course open to the Board but to dismiss you. Nine out of ten of the Board voted for your dismissal.

Saturday, 14th November, 1903. Lawrence McGovern sworn, and examined by Mr. Hesketh. lam a traveller. I was employed at the Costley Home. I left the Home on the 27th December, 1900. I was employed there for three months as assistant. My duties were to look after the sick people and cleaning. Mr. Moss was Manager. A lot of people were lousy. I was lousy myself from the inmates. The condition of the building was indifferent. It was not clean. The bedding

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was not clean; stinking; not changed enough. I mean the mattresses. The other things were well enough. I never saw Mrs. Moss do anything wrong. I heard a great row, and I saw Mr. and Mrs. Moss and a male attendant (Johnston) dragging Mrs. Gertrude Campbell about. They had si lot of trouble with her. Her clothes were torn, and her limbs bare. When they carried her in they were all exhausted. I did not assist. She was there many days, perhaps a fortnight. She used to complain. She had no books or papers. I took her a paper. I threw it across the wall. I never saw her out. I gave Carpenter a bath one day. Mr. Moss came in and said he had got lice. He said, "We will have to shave him." He put him in a chair. His feet were on the concrete. I said, " Will lie be able to stand it? " Mr. Moss said it would be a good thing if he was taken away. Mr. Moss shaved him and put him in a cold bath again. It was a bad thing, I thought. He was suffering —joints crippled. He had to be lifted in and out of bed. He was very weak and emaciated. He was not able to make any complaint. He died soon after that bath. His bed was very dirty. There was an old man called Drake. He and assistant Johnston had an altercation. They had a wrestling-match, and fell on the bed and broke it. Johnston was up first. He dragged him by the heels along the floor and out on to the front pavement. I remonstrated with Johnston. I told Drake to report it. He did so. The Manager, Mr. Moss, looked at him and smiled, and said, " Serve you right." Drake was dumbfounded. After that Johnston wanted to put him out of the kitchen. He said he would put him in Mount Eden. I remember Dunn, aged seventy-four. Johnston caught him by the throat and ran him out at 3 p.m. I brought a letter to the old man from the Manager that night. About cS p.m. he was dead. He appeared to me to be in good health. Except what I have told you, I never saw Mr. Moss do anything wrong. He was always civil and courteous to me and the inmates, except what I have told you. I remember old Greenwood. He was put in the refractory-ward. He used to take the clothes off the bed. He was very weak. He was strapped down to the bed. He was not violent. These things were inhuman. That was the reason I left the Home. When I left I had a flattering testimonial. I produce it. I never heard of an inquest when I was up at the Home. By Mr. Most: I know the construction of the refractory-ward. Ido not know how far the laths are apart. Mrs. Campbell was used harshly. I saw her struggling. I did not report the vermin on Carpenter to you. The bath was tepid. The bath was the same water, and cold, when you put him in after shaving. I do not know Drake's age. He was an old man. He made his complaint. I told him if he did not I would. You told me not to encourage Johnston to drink. I told you that if you did not keep Johnston from knocking the patients about I would give him a good hiding or leave. I was not overworked. You never remonstrated with me. You were very good to me. [Report bj' Mr. Moss produced as to McGovern's desiring to fight Johnston.] The reason I did not report to you was because Johnston was my superior, an-d he should have done so. David B. Smith sworn, and examined by Mr. Hesketh. lam chief cook on the " Rarawa." I know Mr. Moss. I was cook at the Home about two years ago. 1 cannot recollect much about the management. It is too long since. I do not remember Kinghorn. I know Mr. Garland, the present Chairman. I remember the cancer case. I had a conversation with the Chairman about the food I had to prepare for the cancer patient. I said it was not fit to be prepared for any one; it was bill-sticker's paste. The patient was ordered cornflour. I asked Mrs. Moss for cornflour. She told me to use ordinary flour with salt in it. I could not get cornflour. I refused to use flour. I showed the preparation to Mr. Garland. He admitted it was not fit to give to any one. I was there about October and November, 1900. I did not speak to Mrs. Moss. A great many of the patients used to buy eggs for themselves. I had eggs and milk from Mrs. Moss. I was asked by her to cook eggs twice over for the patients. I refused to do so. Mrs. Moss wrote the names of the patients on the eggs that were to be boiled over again. I had to refuse Miss Mark milk for a patient. Mrs. Moss told me not to let her have it- that some milk was given to the ducks. The Home, in my opinion, was kept clean. By Mr. Moss: I remember unpleasantnesses which took place between me and some of the inmates. I do not know their names or the name of one old man. He was loafing, and not scrubbing down as he should have done. I was not irritable. I remember kicking over my table. Ido not remember wanting to fight the butcher. He wanted to fight me. I remember showing Mr. Garland some preparation in a saucepan. Mrs. Moss gave me orders; I never had orders from you. There was a diet-book in the kitchen. I smashed the egg before the Committee. Ido not know that there was any bad feeling between us. I remember Miss Mark. She did not influence me in any way. Ido not remember any of the patients complaining about their food. Fhancks Elizabeth Williams sworn, and examined by Mr. Hesketh. lam a missioner to the streets and lanes. I visited the Home every week. I have done that for seven or eight years. I spent from 2to 4 p.m. at the Home. The people were dirty, and we had to be very careful always. We did not see much of Mr. and Mrs. Moss. The inmates complained very much about the food. The vegetables that were grown there were all sent to the Hospital, except the coarser ones. I think the beds are cleaner now. The Home does not look clean. lam of opinion that there were never sufficient attendants. The nurse (female) who was supposed to look after the old people was used for the maternity ward. At first we used to see the men as well as the women, but now we only see the women. I remember the inquiry. The Home might be much cleaner. By Mr. Moss: I never made any complaints to you about uncleanliness. We went to look after their souls rather than their bodies. I never heard any complaints about your treatment,

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Arthur Pearson Friend sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. I am an insurance manager. I have known you for several years —say six years. I am a member of the Charitable Aid Board. When first I came on the Board I was favourably impressed with you and Mrs. Moss, but as time went on my opinion gradually changed. I could not be blind to complaints made to me —serious complaints —by the old people. One, McGuire, complained. I used to give him money for extra tobacco. He made no official application for it. I never rang you up to hint that you should give him more tobacco. I told you, like others, he wanted more tobacco, and asked you if there was a regular allowance, and, if so, how much. I remember saying Smith was excited, and that if he went on in that way either the Manager or he would have" to go. I considered him a credible witness. I remember a letter from you in the Auckland Free Press. I threatened you with an action. You suggested a mutual apology. It was not from your being an anti-liquor man or an anti-gambler that my opinion changed. I had always advocated a larger staff.

Monday, 16th November, 1903. Fanny T. Devenish sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. I am the wife of the Rev. W. Devenish. I have known you and Mrs. Moss about thirteen years. I have known the Home and the inmates for about eleven years. I am an organist and a visitor (concerts, &c). You were kind to the inmates. I heard complaints from the old people that their money and clothes were taken from them. I thought you were well fitted for your position, and devoted to }'our duties. The Home was clean. The staff was sufficient. By Mr. Hexketh: They have not sufficient help in the sick-wards. It is most difficult to keep a place like that clean. It was clean on the whole. John West sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. I remember Watt who was in the Home. I visited him at the Home during your time and Mr. Sk}'nner's time. I found him clean in your time. His mental condition was clear. During Mr. Sk'ynner's administration he was not very clear, and complained of neglect. He would be very likely to imagine things. I remember his death. I last saw him just prior to his death. By Mr. Hesketh: I saw him twice during Mr. Skynner's time. John Moss sworn. 1 was appointed to the position as Manager to the Upper and Lower Refuges in Auckland. I was there for a few months, and for eleven years, with my wife, as Manager and Matron at the Costley Home. About a year after we went to the Costley Home complaint was made as to our treatment of a Mrs. Wells, in regard to which I requested a public inquiry. It was held, and we were exonerated. From that time to the date of the late inquiry—about ten years —there were no complaints. The Board said they were satisfied as to our management. I put in Dr. MacGregor's report of 1900, H.-22. Letter from Mr. Stich'oury, dated 4th January, 1900, put in " commendatory." Until Miss Mark and Miss Phillips came there was never any friction with the staff, except on the male side. I had to complain very strongly for years in regard to incompetence and drunkenness on the part of the male staff. One of the staff was consumptive, named Elam; another, Smith, was soft and incapable; another, Lawrence, was a confirmed loafer. Johnston and Skene drank, and were drunk while on duty. I had to suspend Johnston, Skene, and Philips (male) for drunkenness while on duty. In the case of Philips, I had to complain about his fighting with a drunken inmate named Cahill, and placing him in the refractory-ward without my knowledge. Philips was never reinstated. I opposed his appointment on the ground that he was addicted to drink. Mr. Stichbury characterized my statement as rot. As Johnston and Skene made handsome apologies to me, and stated that they would never drink again, I informed the Board that I had no objection to their reinstatement. They had been suspended and reported to the Board by me. They were reinstated by the Board. After that they mended their ways. I saw some evidence of drunkenness on their part afterwards, but nothing to make any complaint about. This drunkenness on the part of the staff and inmates disorganized the Home. I complained of the drunken conduct of the head laundress ; also that she was illiterate and incapable of performing her work. During the first year we had no staff on the female side. Afterwards we were supplied with staff on the female side from outsiders who had been in receipt of charitable aid — i.e., Mrs. Crawford and Mrs. Reid. Neither were suitable. Then Miss Calvert was suggested. She was with us for seven years and a half. She was suitable in every way. She resigned to be married, and a Miss Hames was engaged. She was not suitable. Then Miss Mark was engaged. At times she did her duty very well, at other times she did not. She went to bed in the afternoon, and came down a little before tea-time. That was a general thing. She lacked tact and kindness. She made complaints to me about members of the staff generally. She could not get on with them. There was nothing in it. She handed me her resignation on two or three occasions. She withdrew it subsequently. She was in charge during our holiday. When we returned she declined to meet us. She said every one was against her. Things meifded after that. We curtailed our holiday. The patients were not covered with vermin. Some were infected. Miss Mark never worked with Mrs Moss to suppress it. Inmates were frequently sent in by the Board suffering with vermin. The clothing at times had to be burnt. Everything was done to suppress it. We had lotions, and used them. Just prior to the inquiry Miss Mark was agitated. She told me we had nothing to do but to black the old people's eyes and give them hard dry food. I was angry at that, and requested her to withdraw her statement Dr. King arrived

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at the Home. I told him about it. Miss Mark brought her resignation to the doctor. I received it and sent it to the Board. I did not tell her she was mad. I said she had been associating so long with asylum patients that she had become very much like them. I deny that Mrs. Helen Campbell was treated as Miss Mark stated in her evidence before the inquiry. She was not placed in the refractory-ward during Miss Mark's time at the Home. The whole thing is a fabrication. She was placed in the ward when Miss Mark was not there. That was during Miss Calvert's time. Some dirty clothing was found on her bed. She objected to its being taken away. That was about three or four months before Miss Calvert left. Mrs. Moss and myself did not take Gertrude to the refractory-ward. 1 deny that she was kept there from the 15th to the '28th November without books or papers. Miss Mark did not go to see her six times between 6.30 and 10 a.m. on the 28th November. Mrs. Campbell's detention in the ward was unavoidable and necessary —a matter of discipline. She had every kindness and attention night and day consistent with the small staff at my disposal. I deny that sweet milk was given to the ducks. Ido not know of eggs being reboiled and given to the patients. I deny that any dead body was kept in the ward from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. next morning. Mrs. Moss always worked, and was never idle. She did assist in the maternity ward. It was Miss Mark's duty to clean the windows and attend the sick. By Mr. Cotter: My appointment was three months' notice on either side. I received that three months' notice. Under the circumstances, the Board had not any right to get rid of us at three months' notice. The publication of these charges without giving us any chance of crossexamining witnesses was inhuman and improper. I should have had a right to give the Board three months' notice. Because the Board held an inquiry, they had no right to dismiss us. If the Board had dismissed us without any inquiry or giving any reasons, we would have had nothing to complain of. There is no mention of any misconduct in the notice of dismissal. I complain that the statements and transactions of the Board referring to us were published in the newspapers. I do not deny the right of the Board to hear complaints about their servants. The Board heard complaints about us. The Board gave us an opportunity of answering these complaints both before themselves and in writing. 1 believe that evidence was sent to the Board tha I had not an opportunity of seeing. I have now seen the evidence in extenso. The precis sent to me does not contain a fair statement of the evidence. It is not a verbatim copy of it. I would have accepted nothing else. I did not proffer any evidence during that inquiry which the Committee refused to hear. I read the precis carefully to Mrs. Moss. At the meeting on the 22nd and other meetings I cannot remember if I suggested any witnesses I would wish to call to the Committee. Ido not remember if I asked the Committee to produce any witnesses so that I might ask them any questions. Jane Mark sworn, and examined by Mr. Cotter. lam stewardess on the s.s. " Muritai." I was at the Costley Home. Prior to that 1 was a charge nurse in the hospital ward at the Auckland Asylum. I was there ten years. I produce testimonials signed by Mr. Justice Cooper and Mr. F. G. Ewington. I was not dismissed from the Asylum. I was at the Home a little over twelve months. The statement made by me before the Committee and now read over to me is correct. Mr. Moss never assisted me in any way in keeping the place or the patients clean. I resigned before on one occasion. Mr. Moss would not accept it. There were never any complaints made. When I went to the Home I found most of the patients were crawling with lice. Mrs. Dineen was in a bad state with vermin. I asked Mrs. Moss in Mr. Moss's presence if I could do anything. They both laughed and Mrs. Moss said, " 1 dare say, nurse, they are very thick." They gave me permission to cut her hair. I burnt her cap. They could have been kept clean if the whole building had been kept clean, but so long as the sheets and blankets from the male side were brought to the female side and used it was impossible. There were often body-lice walking on the sheets and blankets. I have seen men's socks come from the laundry very lousy, and drew Mrs. Moss's attention to it sometimes. She would allow me to burn the socks. I think the laundry was under Mr. Moss's supervision. The patients had a great dislike to bathing. They were not bathed regularly. I could never keep them quite clean from vermin. An old lady died when Mr. and Mrs. Moss were away on a holiday. An hour after death I dressed the body, and had it ready to be carried out about 9 p.m. I asked Johnston to come and take the body away. He refused. It remained there till next morning. I took no steps to procure or influence witnesses in the inquiry. I made my own statement. By Mr. Moss: I said Mrs. Simpson and Mrs. Blair could give evidence. I remember seeing you at the Home about the position. Dr. Beattie and I did not get on very well, so I did not ask for a testimonial. I was subordinate to Mrs. Moss. All the work of the patients and the maternity ward was left to me. I went to my room after 2 p.m. nearly every afternoon. Mrs. Moss told me I could do so, as she did not want me to work all day. It was a Mrs. Millar whose body was in the ward. She died on the 18th June, l!) 00, in No. 3 Ward, the third or fourth bed from the door. She was taken there a short time before she died. It was after breakfast and before 10 a.m. I saw you take Helen Campbell to the refractory-ward. I saw the struggle over the woodwork. I was in the hall and saw it. You and Mrs. Moss took her to the ward. No violence was used. I brought her back next night. I never heard her make a noise. Both her eve* were swollen and black. I remember Mrs. Gertrude Campbell. She was abusive I never saw the indelicate conduct of Mrs. Campbell, nor heard any bad language. I remember you saying she could take drink. I never saw her drunk. Mrs. Moss knew she had fits. She told me to bathe her, and not to leave her alone as she took fits. Mrs. Moss, you, and Johnston took her to the gaol. You dragged her out of the vestibule on the road to the ward. She was struggling. Mrs. Moss told me not to take books or papers to her. She was kept in solitary confinement, except when I visited her. I attended to her. I never saw any one else there. •6— H. 26.

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I do not know who attended her on Sundays when I was away. I was anxious about her. I saw she either had or was going to have a fit. I reported it to Mrs. Moss. On my last visit I found her in a fit. I reported that to Mrs. Moss about 10.15. I saw the child taking fresh milk to the ducks. A dipper-full of fresh milk was refused me to give to the patients. Mrs. Moss told me to take milk and hot water to the babies. I have known eggs to be reboiled. I remember Mrs. Graham. She was old —senile decay. Mrs. Moss was not always cruel. I have seen her cruel. Mrs. Plaice had abscesses. The doctor said they were to be poulticed. The majority of the patients were lousy. For some time you were very kind to me. These sentiments were changed —not by me. I never asked you to take my case up. Ec-examined by Mr. Cotter: Mrs. Gertrude Campbell was kept in the ward for punishment. I never saw any one there when I went to see her. She was locked in and wanted to get out. In addition to the maternity home I had from forty-five to fifty women to look after. Of these, perhaps nearly a third would be bedridden. Once I had fifteen in bed. I had to superintend four wards, but two I had to do altogether. I had the sick-ward and the maternit}' ward. Sometimes one and sometimes three cases in the maternity ward. I had to attend to the babies, wash them, and attend to the mothers The wards were washed out. The wards were washed out very frequently. The inmates did that with coaxing. I could not do all that work to my satisfaction. I should have had an assistant to help. It would have been comfortable. The old people were never happy or comfortable. I had to bathe the inmates. I never suggested to Mr. Moss or any one that I should have an assistant. I went on duty at 7 a.m. and came off about Bor 8.30 p.m. No one took duty then. The patients looked after themselves both in the female-ward and the infhmary ward. If they required food or milk they could not have it. The} , could get nothing but water or cold tea at night. Mr. Moss's evidence resumed. (Mr. Moss stated that he had not finished his evidence when Mr. Cotter commenced to crossexamine him.) Kinghorn was a drunkard. I reported that to the Board. A few days after that Kinghorn came to me and wanted a ticket for the cattle-show which I refused, and told him why. He was furious. I told him to go to his ward. He refused. I took him by the arm to take him to his ward. He closed with me. We fell. He tried to strike me. My boy took hold of one end of the stick. It broke and was taken away from him. I put him out. No blows were struck. No violence was used and no temper shown. He was not hurt in any way. I reported it to the Board. My action was confirmed. It was brought up at the inquiry. 1 produce a petition and a letter from Mrs. Gertrude Campbell denying that she had fits. Kinghorn's name appears in the petition. Kinghorn and I were friends again. Be Thomas Dunn :He was an old man sixty-five years of age and at times was quite demented; he was troublesome, following me about asking me what he should do and when should he sleep ; I used to get rid of him as best I could ; he died from paralysis ;he was always kindly used; 1 deny the statement that I treated him badly. Be James Carpenter: He became bedridden; he was kindly treated; his dietary was carried out; he did not get the treatment he and others should have had, as the staff was inadequate; I have attended to him myself. Be Timothy O'Callaghan: He was of drunken habits and used foul language ;on one occasion he came home drunk and was assisted to bed; 1 saw him; he made no complaint; he was drunk; he was seen again that same night by one of the assistants: he was attended to regularty; I telephoned Dr. King that night his condition; the doctor said he would see him when he came out. In the meantime and before the doctor saw him he complained that he could not pass his urine; that was reported to Dr. King; he instructed me by telephone to pass catheter; I attempted to pass it but failed; there appeared to be some obstruction ; 1 reported that to the doctor; he requested me to give him a tonic; I mentioned I had seen a little urine in the bed and in the chamber; the doctor ordered him a syrup, and it was given to him; he complained of not getting the necessary food ; about 8 o'clock one night I made him some light food myself —he refused it; everything was done for him that could be done. I never had a sufficient staff. The first assistant I had was David Anderson, who was discharged for violation of the rules. Next John Quigley, a good man but for outbursts of drunkenness. He contracted cancer and died. After that my staff was insufficient and incapable. I had to complain about the interference by Mounsey with my duties. 1 reported it to the Board. Matters were smoothed over and his duties were defined by a letter from the Board. Mr. Bollard was Chairman then. He interfered again. Mr. Stichbury came out and remonstrated. Mounsey was biassed against us, and gave the names of some witnesses against us. Our vegetables were insufficient in quantity and inferior in quality. The best of them went to the Hospital. The appliances at the laundry are not up to date. It was cruel to compel fifteen or seventeen of the old men to work in the washhouse amongst the steam, slush, and unhealthy conditions. They were employed by the Board's orders. They were more or less physically incapable of doing the work. I reported the shortcomings of the drying-room and laundry. The Hospital washing, the Nurses' Home washing, the Children's Home washing, the doctor's washing, and the Costley Home washing was done at the Home. In wet weather the outside washing had the prior claim. Sometimes we were a fortnight without a change of linen, and it was impossible to keep the people clean. There was an inadequate supply of water. The water was put on since we left. There was very little water for bathing —hot or cold. I reported that; also that there was no fire-prevention. I had not sufficient power to control the affairs of the institution properly. The members of the Board knew nothing of the internal working of the Home. No member of the Board ever spent a day there. I have made frequent applications to the Board for painting and cleaning, and for a larger and better staff. We were there eleven years without having some of the walls whitewashed or cleaned. The timber was deteriorating. The staff knew I had no power over them. There were some closets

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in the female side flushed with water. The men's side used pans. Until the time I left there were no pans in the main closet on the men's side, simply earth placed on a concrete bottom. They were emptied every day. There were similar closets on the women's side. The large tank was very offensive, also the matter which w r as put out on the garden. The pigsties were there when the Home was established. They were never used on account of the smell and the myriads of flies. The inmates had control of the ventilators in the dormitories. They generally kept them shut. The dormitories were stuffy in the mornings.

Tuesday, 17th November, 1903. Mr. Moss's examination resumed. By Mr. Cotter: I take no exception to the resolution passed by the Board as to dispensing with my services. During the progress of that inquiry Ido not remember asking the Board to give me a public inquiry. In investigating a previous inquiry it was conducted publicly. The Press representatives were present. The evidence of certain inmates was taken then. I did not ask for a public inquiry because I considered the Board was honest. I put in a written statement and made a viva voce statement which was ignored. Our evidence rebutting was not justly balanced with the other side. I was not pleased with the result. I wanted justice. I found out that some of the charges were not proved. I should have been the judge as to whether any of the charges were proved or not. The Committee did not consider the evidence. I do not consider that my remarks to Miss Mark were harsh. I would rather those remarks had not been made. I was never allowed to manage the Home. There was no management. I exercised the right of suspension. I agree with ever}" word I said about Miss Mark in my statement just read by Mr. Cotter. The reason why I did not recommend the acceptance of Miss Mark's resignation was because I had a kindly feeling towards her. I say that the Board was not justified in finding that I had made harsh statements to Miss Mark. We were rigorously excluded from the inquiry held by the Board. I do not say that the Board decided by resolution that none but hostile witnesses should be called ; but that was done intentionally by the Board with a certain end in view, to get us out of the institution. That end could not have been accomplished with a proper inquiry. It was an unavoidable and diciplinary act to put Mrs. G. Campbell in the refractory-ward. She was let out because she promised to behave better. If she had not expressed regret I should have kept her there indefinitely —until she promised better conduct. I reported the matter to the Board. During the fourteen days I visited her perhaps ten or twelve times. Assuming that Dr. King is right and that I knew she was an epileptic, I should have still placed her in the refractory-ward, but I would have had her constantly watched as far as possible. She was never neglected. The door was bolted ou the outside. The Board had no right to believe Miss Mark as against me unless she was subject to cross-examination. Re the twice-boiled eggs: It is expedient that there should be no malice there. Re the baths: There is no malice; the Committee considered that in a proper way. An employer has no right to investigate any charge against an employee except in the manner adopted in a Court of justice — i.e., the employee should have an opportunity of cross-examining witnesses. Re Kinghorn : The Board did not come to a proper conclusion in that case; I had no opportunity to call witnesses; T was not requested to call witnesses in that case. Re O'Callaghan : I say that the doctor instructed me to pass a catheter ; I tried to do so but failed : I do not remember if I told the Board ; I told the Commission that I passed the catheter because the doctor told me to do so : in my report and evidence I said I passed it to pacify the old man ; I objected to do these things ; I objected to the Board either to use the catheter or administer hypodermic injections : the Board overruled these objections ; both my statements as regards the catheter are harmonious, taken in the proper connection : both statements are correct. The statement produced was sent with Mrs. Moss's knowledge and consent. Ido not desire now to modify or alter any of those statements. That was a proper document to send under the circumstances. The washing-work had to be done by the Board's authority, and I was compelled to employ those old men who were most suitable to do the washing. The Board authorised me to employ as labour the whole of the inmates. They did not order me to employ any particular individual. I did not always keep copies of letters I sent to the Board. I have not time to do so. The reason I took the document of October, 1896, was that I thought that if T wanted it it would not be forthcoming. T have taken two other documents for the same reason. CJeoroe M. Downey sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. T was employed at the Home as cook for seven years and a half. T had no paid assistant. T should have had a second cook. T never saw or heard of any acts of cruelty on the part of yourself or Mrs. Moss. No neglect. You were tactful and considerate. The relations were harmonious. I saw much drunkenness in the Home amongst the inmates and the staff. It disorganized the institution. T remember O'Callaghan. He was of drunken habits. He was not neglected, that Tarn aware of. T remember Dunn, who was suffering; from heart-disease, and was excitable. I remember Miss Mark. Her relations with the staff and inmates were bad. She was excitable, and had no tact for old people. She got all she required from the kitchen from me. No milk was given to the ducks. Paste was never given to any patient. There was a diet-book. Cornflour prepared was for canoor patients. There were no complaints as to diet. I followed the instructions in the diet-book. The Hospital and Nurses Home had a prior claim on the vegetables grown at the Home The Home got the worst of the vegetables. T complained of the cookingappliances. The stove was bad and filthy, full of dust. The staff was insufficient. The male

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staff was a hindrance to you. You were overworked. I never saw Mrs. Moss idle. She assisted in the kitchen to cook special food. By Mr. Cotter: I left the Home in April, about three years ago, I think. T left, on the first occasion, in October, 1900, and was employed again from April to June, 1901. I was not in the employment of the Board when the inquiry was held. When the inquiry was going on I offered to give evidence. That was after Mr. Moss had been requested to resign. My duties were only in the kitchen. Robert Martin Beattie sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. lam the Medical Superintendent of the Auckland Lunatic Asylum. I have known Miss Mark for about nine years. I found her always endeavouring to undermine the authority of her superior officers. She was always very disloyal to myself, harsh and unsympathetic in dealing with the patients, and incessantly quarrelling with the other nurses. 1 should not have given her a testimonial. I remember a fire at the Asylum. Miss Mark assisted me to save my books. By Mr. Cotter: She was in the asylum for ten years. Dr. MacGregor offered her a junior position in the Seacliff Asylum. Mr. Justice Cooper and Mr. Ewington were Visiting Justices. I made no complaints to them about Miss Mark. She also neglected her duty, and was untruthful. I have found her out in an untruth. By Dr. Anderson: I have never had any complaints to make about want of cleanliness in the patients received from the Home. In a recent case I received from the Home the patient was admitted in a very uncleanly condition. That was in the last few months. Ido not think it is advisable to keep a man in a condition of imbecility in the Costley Home, such imbecility being brought about by masturbation. Frederick George Ewington sworn and examined. I have been Official Visitor to the Asylum for sixteen years. I know Miss Mark. I visited the Asylum about every three weeks. I looked upon Miss Mark as a fair average attendant. We have had no more complaints about Miss Mark than about some of the other attendants. By Mr. Moss: I have known you eighteen years. I would not think you would be likely to be cruel or harsh to any one. I think well of you both. I have only been to the Home once. Mart Phillips sworn, and examined by Mr. Cotter. lam a certificated hospital nurse. I was that when I was appointed assistant to the Costley Home. I went there on the 13th January, 1901. I was there till last February. Many of the patients had a great deal of vermin on them. The bedsteads were not clean. [The evidence given by this witness before the inquiry was read to her.] These statements are correct. I had to get the carbolic from Mr. Moss. He would only give it in very small quantities, not enough for the patients and the clothes. By Mr. Moss: I was not sent to the Home to report on its condition. I was quite friendly with you and Mrs. Moss. I never told any of the inmates that Mrs. Moss's instructions were to be ignored. I wished to soak the clothes before they went to the laundry. I did not want to frighten the patients. I did not want to secure Mrs. Moss's position. I have no recollection of declining to assist Mrs. Moss. I remember Mrs. Patterson, who received injuries from falling from the bed. The bed was filled with straw which was supplied to me, and I made it as flat as I could. I remember your calling the attention of the Board to the bed. 1 applied some lotion to the eyes of Mrs. Albrechter. The doctor prescribed the lotion, and Mrs. Moss gave it to me. It is not easy to keep the flies away. There are not more flies there than in any other place. The patients were visited late, and if they were very ill they were sat up with. The last round was usually made about 10 p.m. Unless we were called, they were not visited till morning. No one was on duty at night. There was a man up the whole night in the male side. lam a staff nurse now at the Hospital at Waipukurau. My relations with Mr. Skynner were harmonious. The bottle of lotion was warm when supplied to me by Mrs. Moss. I cannot say if lotions were made tip at the Home. Robert Haldane Makgill sworn and examined. lam the District Health Officer in Auckland. I was in charge of the Auckland Hospital in 1894 and 1895. In 1894 I was doing locum tenens for Dr. King for two weeks. I remember a cancer case at the Home. I believe the idea was to get rid of those helpless cases, so as to get room at the Hospital, which was then not so large as it is now. Ido not think it is advisable to have cancer cases there now unless they have a staff of trained nurses and proper hospital accommodation, which they have not. It is, in my opinion, not desirable to have a maternity home there. It is too far away, and it is not desirable to mix those cases up with the kind of" people you have at such a home. There are no properly trained nurses for such cases. I know the arrangements for the disposal of the sewage. I examined them eighteen months a,go. They are most insanitary. A properly constructed septic tank would be suitable, and could be erected there. The present tank could be converted into a septic tank. I examined it at the request of the Chairman of the Board. I made several minor suggestions. I believe some of them were carried out. The Onehunga Springs are not likely to be prejudicially affected. The piggeries are too near the Home. It is a pity to have them there at all. The urinals were not in a healthy condition. They are badly constructed. The privies were not in a sanitary condition. With the septic tank it would be better to have water-closets. The male infirmary was overcrowded and badly constructed. Cross-ventilation is not possible. The place was, on the whole, cleanly when I saw it. The bedding was clean and sufficient.

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By Mr. Moss: I heard no complaints as to your treatment when I was there. You were in charge when I was doing Dr. King's work. I cannot say I should think you would be cruel or neglectful. It struck me that more efficient nursing was required. Hbnhy Nelson Garland sworn and examined. 1 have heard the statement by Mr. Moss that he reported Kinghorn's affair to the Board, and that the Board confirmed his action. I have no knowledge of any such report. I had a report of Kinghorn's drunkenness on the 10th November, 1900. I can find no further report. On the 20th November there was a Committee-meeting at the Home. There was no report about Kinghorn before that Committee. I know nothing about the cutting-out of the leaf.

Wednesday, 18th November, 1903. (At the Home.) Crosbie Kidd sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. I have known Mrs. Moss and you for five years I never saw or heard of any act of unkindness of Mrs. Moss and yourself, or neglect of duties. You were understaffed. You had more to do than you could cope with. I cannot say if the present management is satisfactory or unsatisfactory. About six months ago I saw a man complaining that he had no sugar in his tea. He and Mr. Skyrmer had an altercation, and Mr. Skynner ejected him from the dining-room —name, McKinn. I remember one Hayes being drunk. He was put outside the gate. They had a struggle, and he was put out. I saw another man put out at the gate for being drunk —Dick Barrett. Ido not think unnecessary violence was used in putting them out. I never knew you put any one out for being drunk, or any other cause. I never saw any vermin when you were here. I have seen a great deal since. You had a periodical bed-inspection. You used carbolic paste, and sometimes fire, also boiling water. I was working in the kitchen. I have seen Mrs. Moss always busy in the kitchen making delicacies for the women and men. By Mr. Cotter: I will not say that there were no vermin here. I did not see any. I think the same efforts have been made to keep vermin down since Mr. Moss left. I remember a petition being got up. I had to do with getting up that petition. I was not made to suffer for that. I was never threatened. No one had a right to make such a statement. We are not more comfortable now than when Mr. Moss was here. John Langdon sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. lam an inmate. I have known you and Mrs. Moss seven years. I never saw you cruel or neglectful. You were very kind and benevolent to the inmates. I have seen plenty of drunkenness in the Home since you left. I do not know that Mr. Skynner is addicted to drink. His language is very immoral. lam not as comfortable now as when you were here. Ido not mean immoral language. Mr. Skynner swears and curses. He says " Damn." I have seen fighting here amongst the inmates. I have stopped it. I never saw that when you were here. By Mr. Cotter: If you speak to Mr. Skynner he will jump down your throat. Ido not know if Mr. Skynner stopped the fighting. The food is not so good as it was when Mr. Moss was here, or so well cooked. It is not cooked half the time. Mr. Skynner does not see that the food is properly cooked. He does not stop in the dining-room, as he should, to see that the men are properly treated. One day I had not sufficient dinner. I spoke to Mr. Skynner. He spoke roughly to me. I had a good dinner in the end. The next day he gave me a good dinner, to show me up. I never complained to the Board. Whatever Mr. Skynner says the Board will swear to. Emily Carroll sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. lam an inmate. I have known you and Mrs. Moss since 1889. I came here from the Refuge. I never saw you or Mrs. Moss unkind to any inmates. I was just the same as now, as regards happiness and comfort, when under your care. Mrs. Moss was always good to the sick. I remember Mrs. Guest dying, when you were away on a holiday. The body remained all night in the ward. I did not notice any stench. I remember Mrs. Nelson. She died three weeks ago. The ward I am in is as clean now as when you were here. Margauet Brittain sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. lam an inmate of the Home. I have known you for six years. I never saw you or Mrs. Moss unkind or neglectful. Mrs. Moss was kind to the sick, as far as I know. I was happy under your care. I am happy and comfortable now. I signed the petition to retain you. I was not discharged from the Home for that. I left it for three months' holiday. My signing the petition had nothing to do with my holiday. I never told you I was discharged. Elizabeth Blair sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. lam an inmate of the Home. I have known you and Mrs. Moss for seven years. I never saw you or Mr. Moss unkind to any one. My memory is bad. I cannot remember you coming to see me. I was happy and comfortable under your care. I have been happy and comfortable since you left. A chair was refused and taken away from me by Miss Phillips. It was taken by mis-take. I got it again.

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Maria Simpson sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. lam an inmate of the Home. I have known you and Mrs. Moss for five years, I never knew either of you to be unkind to any one. I was happy and comfortable under your care. I have always been kindly treated since you left. I get anything I want. I cannot remember any insulting references to you by Mr. Skynner. I have a comfortable clean bed, which is changed every week since I came into it. By Mr. Cotter: 1 remember the statement to the Committee. It was correct. By Mr. Moss: I remember Mrs. Helen Campbell being taken to the ward. Miss Calvert was not here at the time. No violence was used. She was taken away about 8.30 p.m. Richard Mounsey sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. lam the gardener at the Home. I have known Mr. and Mrs. Moss for thirteen years. I never saw you or Mrs. Moss unkind to the inmates. I saw you lock up Mrs. Alexander several times. I know very little about her. I remember Mrs. Gertrude Campbell. Ido not remember seeing her taken to the ward, and did not see her brought out. I saw you try to get rid of the vermin. Ido not remember you calling the Board's attention to my interference with your duties. 1 remember Mr. Bollard coming out to the Home. I do not remember receiving any document defining my duties. I remember Mr. Stichbury coming out. I was in the office on that occasion. He said if there were any rows, some one would have to go. I remember a sow dying. I took the litter away. There was no milk for them. I took some to my home. I gave them away. By Mr. (-'otter: I remember giving evidence before the inquiry. [Evidence read.] That statement is correct. The drainage is conserved for the garden. Dr. MacGregor told me to use every drop of the refuse out of the tank for the garden. The treatment of the inmates since Mr. Moss left is good. 1 consider it an improvement since Mr. Moss left. There was vermin during Mr. Moss's term. The place is clean now. I have not seen lice dropping off the men now as 1 saw during Mr. Moss's time. I remember James Bennett, also O'Callaghan, also Beade. I never saw any conflict between you and them for drunkenness. The reason I suggested that persons could give evidence was because they had complained to me. I have seen the men picking the lice off their flannels. I saw Kinghorn the Monday evening after the Show. He showed rough handling. Augustus Edgebton Skynner sworn, and examined by Mr. Cotter. I am the Manager of the Home since Mr. and Mrs. Moss left. When I took charge of the Home I found it very dirty. Bugs and lice were in the building, especially in -No. 6 Ward on the male side. The bugs were crawling up the walls. There were two men employed to clean and fumigate the Home at a cost of nearly £80. I reported the matter to the Board. [Put in.] Nurse Phillips sent in a report also. My report is dated the 24th July, 1901. Miss Phillips's report is dated the 25th July, 1901. We have no bugs now and very few lice. You must have some. If you use a strong solution of carbolic acid you can clean the clothes at the wash. At times the food is not up to the mark, partially owing to the bad range and too rapid cooking. A new stove is wanted. The quality of the food is good for an institution of this sort. The contract allows for a first-class article. The food is good. The menu is limited. On many occasions I have used the word " damn " when I have been annoyed by the inmates. I have not sworn at them that I know of. Ido my best to prevent drunkenness. I have called the attention of the Board, and they have supported me in endeavouring to suppress it. I have no power to prevent men from going outside the Home. I have stopped fighting on several occasions. Langdon complained that he had had no dinner. I gave orders he should have some. I did not try to make him a laughing-stock. He ate it all. The inmates are as much cared for as we can with the staff at our disposal. The present staff is insufficient. The staff is: Myself as Manager, two male assistants, a cleaner, a night watchman, and two cooks. On the female side: Two nurses and a housemaid. We have not a trained or certificated nurse. One of the nurses has been an asylum-attendant for nine years. We want in addition another male assistant and another female nurse. That would be a sufficient staff. There are very few inmates who are able to assist either on the male or female side. The best men are taken by the laundry. The head laundress applies to me and I send them down. We wash for the Hospital, including the doctors' surgical linen, and the nurses, and for ourselves. The laundry is not capable of undertaking that work. We are not able to keep the Home washing as clean as it should be kept in consequence of that. Owing to these inadequate arrangements friction has taken place between the Hospital officials and myself. None of the inmates are put to any work that they are not able to do. The garden here supplies vegetables to the Hospital, the Nurses' Home, and ourselves. We get as good vegetables as are sent to the Hospital. I think the piggeries should be retained on the premises. They are a source of revenue, and they eat up the waste. They are quite far enough away from the premises, and are no nuisance to the neighbours or to the Home. We have not so many flies now as we had from the tramway stables. I would rather have the manure than a septic tank. A septic tank would have no effect on the flies. There was a pit near the pigsties when I came here which stank. There was an accumulation of every kind of filth in it. It was done away with. We require new bedsteads and bedding throughout the Home. The back portion of the yard to the shed should be asphalted, to save dirt being brought into the wards. We want a larger steam-boiler. There is no provision for sterilising the clothes. I find great difficulty in dealing with many persons who are sent here, such as imbeciles, masturbators, and cancer patients. We have no cancer patients now. That is stopped. There is no possibility of classification. We have not sufficient baths on the female side. We have sufficient on the male side. Hot water is laid on to all baths. We have not sufficient supply of hot water. We have ample closet and urinal accommodation. The wards are not overcrowded. A night

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watchman is on all night. Kinghorn is dead. Mrs. Gardner is discharged. Mrs. Gertrude Campbell is away. Ido not know where. Ellen Pell sworn, and examined by Mr. Cotter. lam second laundress in the Home. I was called at the inquiry. My statement made there is correct. During Mr. Moss's time the clothes were filthy with vermin. There is a great improvement now since they left. At present there are six women in the laundry. The staff is large enough, and we have no difficulty in overtaking the work. We are assisted by some old men. Some wash, some hang out the clothes and do what they can. Francis Ann Wood sworn and examined. I am third laundress. I remember the inquiry. The evidence 1 gave there is correct. During Mr. Moss's time there were vermin on the clothes. The conditions are very much improved. By Mr. Moss: I have known you and Mrs. Moss for nine years. 1 never saw you unkind except in Kinghorn's case. I noticed no bruises on his head. He did not complain. Francis McGuire sworn and examined. lam an inmate of the Home. I remember the inquiry. The evidence I gave is correct. Thomas McCathie sworn and examined. lam an inmate of the Home. 1 remember giving evidence at the inquiry. My statement is correct. Timothy O'Callaghan sworn and examined. lam an inmate. I remember giving evidence at the inquiry. The statement 1 made then is correct. By Mr. Moss: I was never under the influence of drink. You took two glasses of grog from my pocket. I never used bad language. You were a bad man. Ciiahlotte Elizabeth Woods sworn, and examined by Mr. Moss. I have known you for ten years. I have visited the Home occasionally. I never heard of any act of cruelty either by Mrs. Moss or yourself. The Home alwa3's seemed to me to be perfectly clean. I heard no complaints. Since you left the state of the Home is the same. It is just about the same as when you were here. (Mr. Moss stated that he had no more witnesses to examine.) John Rawlings sworn and examined. I have been here since the place was built. 1 must say that things go on very much more comfortably now than they used to do in Mr. Moss's time. Our food is prepared better and there is more of it. We are kept cleaner. By Mr. Moss: Things seem to go more harmoniously now. You do not hear the constant growling now. You and I were always friendly. You dealt witli a wound on my thigh. It became gangrenous. You gave me the means of curing it. I remember that O'Callaghan was drunk one night. I never saw you neglecting him. I never saw an act of unkindness on your part. As far as my experience goes you were kind. You were always kind to me. AjniiE Bramwej.l sworn and examined. I have been a visitor for eight or nine years. The people appear to be more contented and cleaner now than during Mr. Moss's management. By Mr. Moss: I have known you for six years and a half. I did not write an anonymous letter to the Herald. My niece did. I knew she was going to write it, and I knew what was in it I did not know who was responsible for what was wrong. There was no fire in the women's ward. The women were cold and shivering. It was very cold. I did not know what your powers were. I did not complain to you.

Thursday, 19th November, 1903. Rev. W. E. Gillam recalled, and examined by Mr. Moss. I visited the Home about two years ago. I went through the wards with His Excellency the Governor. In No. 6 Ward I thought the ward was not as clean as formerly. The smell was very bad, but No. 6 Ward never was satisfactor}-. I felt there ought to have been properly trained nurses to attend to the inmates. The cancer ward was always unsatisfactory. I saw no improvements in No. 6 Ward. I think the members of the Charitable Aid Board should be elected by the ratepayers and not nominated by the local bodies, and that women should be eligible for election, and that with women on the Board there would be more attention to the female inmates at the Home, especially the maternity side, and more attention to the sick. George Joseph Garland sworn, and examined by Mr. Cotter. I am Chairman of the Charitable Aid Board, and have been so for a year. I have been a member for three years. My opinion of the Home when I visited it was unfavourable. When inmates were brought into the Committee-room questions would be put to them. They would be

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asked, " Are you comfortable? " In many cases their eyes would be on the Manager. That made me think things were not as they should be. This happened many times. I knew one or two of the inmates personally. I found they refused to give me any reply. I was surprised. Before the inquiry I asked Mr. Moss if he was sufficiently staffed. He said, abundantly staffed. He complained about the drunkenness among the inmates. I promised to give him my support. I did so—-i.e., put it down. Mr. Moss said the washing gave the old people employment. I felt that the laundry was not what it should be. The Home appeared to me to be dirty. I remember going to the Home with Dutton. I saw Watt. He had just been washed. He was not clean then. The bed smelt. I had nothing to do with the organization of the inquiry. 1 had a clear mind about it. Mr. and Mrs. Moss were not present to examine witnesses. The reason was that it was considered advisable that the witnesses should be examined by themselves, with no one present except the Board. There was no malicious feeling shown by the Board towards Mr. Moss. There were expressions of sorrow. The inquiry was not hurried. [Resolution of the Board put in. J My opinion was that it was the most judicious course to adopt —the easiest way out of the difficulty. There was nothing in the papers up to the date that Mr. and Mrs. Moss declined to send in their resignations. When the refusal to resign was considered at the Board meeting, then the matter got into the papers. The Board did not put anything into the papers. Then they were given three months' notice. There was nothing else to do. Then the Board advertised for a Manager. Mr. Moss was one of the applicants. Mr. Skynner was appointed. I made a closer examination of the Home about that time before Mr. Skynner was appointed. I found plenty of vermin there. In the women's dormitory I found vermin, both bugs and lice. I saw in the heads of some of the women scabs resulting from vermin. I saw bugs in one of the male-wards — No. 6. I saw lice on one of the inmates. I have frequently visited the Home since Mr. Skynner has had charge. I have examined nearly every bed, and have not discovered any lice or bugs. I have examined some of the empty beds in the women's ward. I have not discovered any vermin. I have not seen vermin crawling on any of the patients since Mr. Skynner's appointment. The general management of the Home is very much better. The general cleanliness is much improved. I can get replies from the inmates. I think Mr. Skynner is doing his duty. He has a great deal to contend with in drunkenness amongst the inmates. The Board has always assisted him to put that down. I have always received respect from him. I have never known him to be absent without asking permission. I have never known him absent from the Home at night. I saw the paste batter at the Home. I am sure it was flour and water. After Mr. Moss left about £80 was spent to clean the Home. Mounsey is a good gardener. The vegetables supplied to the Home are as good as those supplied to the Hospital. By Mr. Moss: I knew Casey and Lloyd personally; also old Tommy. Casey's character was bad. Dutton and I walked in at the gate. Ido not remember any letter by me to the Board on the subject. Ido not know who introduced the bugs and lice. I spent no whole day at the Home. I was a new member of the Board. Generally, I knew what your duties were. I knew you had the clerical work. The gardener was responsible to you. I cannot Bay as to the condition of the Upper and Lower Refuge. I believe they were lousy. There is an addition to the staff since you left of three. During three months I was at the Home frequently. My impression was that the inmates were intimidated by you. In my opinion you did not do your duty as regards the cleanliness of the Home. If inmates had been discharged from the Home for drunkenness they must have been put in the streets. There was no other place to put them. You brought up Mrs. Gardner for drunkenness. The Committee considered she should be discharged. You begged her off. The Manager had power to stop the leave of drunken inmates. You never reported the Home was in such a filthy condition as it was found to be in after you left, otherwise I have no doubt some money would have been spent. By Mr. Cotter: After the inquiry Mr. Moss asked for a public inquiry. He was offered it if he paid the costs. By the Commission, and by Mr. Cotter: The acquirement of the present site of the Home and the erection of the buildings comprising the Costley Home took nearly the whole of the amount bequeathed for that purpose by Mr. Costley. £12,150 was bequeathed. With the exception of the interest of the balance still in hand of the Costley bequest, the cost of maintenance, &c, of the Home is borne half by the Government and the other half by the local authorities of the Auckland Charitable Aid Board District, half the expenses coming upon the local bodies. We have to be as economical as possible. The reason that the Hospital washing is done at the Home is that it was considered economical to do so. The same Board manages the Hospital and the Costley Home. There is a city system of drainage at the Hospital. My opinion is that each place should do its own washing. The present cost of the management of the Hospital, charitable aid, and the Costley Home is causing dissatisfaction among the local bodies. All costs of any improvements will fall on the local bodies to the extent of half, the Government providing the other half. Be fire-escapes : Before I became a member there were not sufficient fire-escapes in the Home. Maternity ward : I moved a resolution that we should erect a maternity home at the Hospital. As there were no funds, the matter was hung up indefinitely. I still think such a step is most advisable, and that provision should be made for it. There is ii Salvation Army Maternity Home and a Door of Hope Home. Drainage: From the nature of the formation Ido not think any ill effect from the Costley Home drainage will be felt in the adjoining districts. If a properly constituted septic tank were erected it would be all that is required. Piggeries : The piggeries are a source of revenue to the Board. They bring in about £300 a year. They are not prejudicial to the health of the Home. Epileptics, imbeciles, and lunatics: Half of the keep of the patients at the Home comes from the Government. If these patients were sent to the Asylum the Government would have to pay the whole cost. We desire to get rid of them. We have communicated with the Government on several occasions asking that a home for imbeciles and cancer

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cases should be provided. The reply was that the matter is under consideration. For the most part the inmates are indigent. We have old-age and Imperial pensioners. The Board receives the old-age pension and returns Is. a week to them. As regards the Imperial pensioners, when the pension is over the actual cost, the balance is handed back to the pensioner. We also have inmates whose friends and relations pay for their maintenance. Each case is considered by the Committee, who report to the Board. Mr. Skynner has complained about some of his staff being drunk. One or two have been discharged. I should prefer flushed closets. The urinals should be better. The Board purposely refrained from appointing a man, and his wife as Matron. It is impossible to have any classification or to make the Home comfortable for old age considering the class of persons we have to deal with. It is practically impossible for the Board to ameliorate to any great extent the existing condition of things unless we have money to do it with. I produce the Visiting Officer's report with reference to the admission of James, the masturbator. [Report produced.] Henry Nelson Garland sworn and examined. When the present purchase of land is completed there will be a balance left from the Costley bequest of £1,363 Us. sd. The bequest was £12,150. That was left in 1883. Trustees had control of it till it was paid to the Board. It was paid to the Board in 1886. The capital and the accumulated interest were both paid to the Board. The Home was finished in 1890. The interest of the money meantime was applied to the maintenance of what was known as the Upper and Lower Refuges, inhabited by old men and women. The Costley Home was originally stocked from there. The iron bedsteads and part of the bedding went from those refuges to the Home. The beds were sterilised as far as possible. No doubt vermin was taken to the Home then. The Salvation Army has a maternity home at Ponsonby. The Church of England is about to build one at Otahuhu. The Door of Hope is not a maternity home. I produce returns showing the staff of the Home from time to time, and other details. John Wisdom Shackelford sworn and examined. lam the Mayor of Grey Lynn. At a meeting of the local bodies exception was taken to the largely increased demand made for the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. The meeting was comprised of the whole of the local bodies who contributed to the Board. They appointed the the Road Boards as a special Committee to see if the expenditure could not be curtailed. The demand was so great that the various bodies were unable to meet it. We had much evidence as regards the Costley Home, and a visit was paid to it by several members. The result of the visit was that I was disappointed at the state of affairs. The Home was not as clean as it should have been. The stove was bad. The beds needed a good deal of attention. The laundry was very bad. The old men had no business to be working under the conditions in the laundry. The inmates of the men's infirmary ward appeared to be desolate. The whole Home was desolate and uncomfortable. It was impossible to ask for a reduction of expenditure after seeing the condition of the Home. We felt that the place should be made efficient. We had nothing to do with Mr. Moss's grievances. We felt that the Governor might well ask for improvements. By Mr. Cotter: The large increase all round was the cause of the appointment of the Committee to find out if the expenditure was warranted. I was satisfied that as far as the Costley Home is concerned further expenditure was necessary. Nay, I say it is imperative. The local bodies had no idea the patients were in the state they are in. John Atkinson Walker sworn, and examined by the Commission. I was a member of the Committee appointed to report on the Hospital and the Costley Home. The reason we asked for a Commission of inquiry was that we were not satisfied with the Home. There did not appear to be that thorough cleanliness there might have been. The women's ward in the main building seemed to be well lighted and clean. The men's hospital ward and ordinary wards were built in a hollow which, in my opinion, is a very unsuitable position. Many of the inmates are suffering from complaints incident to old age, and as the floors of these wards are only from 15 in. to 18 in. above the ground, with very inadequate ventilation under the floors, the wards must be very damp, quite unsuitable as a residence for old men. The Commission should order a portion of one of these floors to be taken up to see if it is damp. There is no surfacedrainage, or adequate drainage of any kind, and in wet weather the water lies around the wards. The urinals were very offensive. There is a plentiful supply of water. There should be a thorough system of drainage. There should be water-closets instead of the box system. There is no adequate hot-water supply. The inmates should be obliged to bathe at stated times. There should be a washable uniform worn while the inmates are in the Home. The sitting-rooms in the men's wards are cheerless and unsuitable places. By Mr. Cotter: The smell from the urinals was distinct from carbolic acid. I consider the present position of the new men's wards positive cruelty to the old men. Ido not see how they can recover from rheumatism there. lam prepared to recommend on behalf of the body I represent that the men's wards be pulled down and rebuilt in a more suitable position on higher ground. It is absolute cruelty to the old men that they should be compelled to live there. Seeing that the deaths were nearly doubled last year there must be some reason for it. Francis E. Sevbrne sworn and examined. lam the Governor of Mount Eden Gaol. With reference to the resolution read to me, I state that I do not possess the powers that resolution confers on the Manager of the Home as regards the prisoners under my charge. In the event of a prisoner misconducting himself, I have power to lock 4—H. 26.

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him up in solitary confinement, and keep him there till his case is heard by a Visiting Justice. I have no power to give him bread and water. Ido not possess that power as regards prisoners under sentence. The rules in existence since 1892 give powers similar to those I possess. Charles Bagley sworn and examined. I was a member of the Committee appointed to inquire into the affairs of the Hospital and the Costley Home. I visited the Costley Home on the 12th June, 1903. I thought a Royal Commission was required. Generally it appeared to be very dirty. There was an increased expenditure, of which the inmates did not appear to be receiving the benefit. I did not think the Home was being used for the purpose for which it was erected. A large amount of washing from the Hospital was being done when we were there. Some old men were working at it under conditions that would not be permitted by the Factory Acts. The machinery was antiquated. The drying-room was at about 120 degrees, and some old men were working in this. I found they worked in that room from seven to seven and a half hours per day. 1 think that for old men to be put to work under those conditions is inhuman. The general drainage is very bad. It is inimical to the health of the inmates. The piggery was the only place in the Home that was clean. The pigs had cleaner beds to lie on than the patients. That is from a pig's point of view and a human point of view. The kitchen and adjacent offices were disgracefully dirty. New cooking-stoves are required. The old ladies' wards were in a passable condition. The No. 6 infirmary ward requires great improvement. The closets and urinals were very offensive. The floors generally were dirty, but the weather had been wet. The wards generally could be much more comfortable for the inmates without much extra expenditure The beds and bedsteads should be swept away and burned. The wards were neither tidy nor clean. A scrubbing-brush and some flannels were lying under many of the beds. By Mr. Cotter: I cannot say how many times I have seen the Home. I visited it twice officially. The men should never be sent in the drying-room at all. I concluded that the Hospital washing was neither properly fumigated, sterilised, nor disinfected before being sent to the Home for washing. I think that had something to do with the death-rate at the Home. John Wisdom Shackelford recalled. I am of opinion that there should be two Boards —one to manage the Hospital, and one for the charitable aid. By Dr. Anderson: I think it very undesirable that the one Board should have control of both institutions. Frederick William King recalled, and examined by Mr. Cotter. I took charge of the Costley Home in October, 1890. I have been Medical Officer since. The Home would be better on more rising ground. The ground there is so porous that the water runs away very soon. Ido not think the dampness there will affect the health of the inmates. I have not noticed that the position of Ihe Home has been detrimental to the patients under my charge. With the exception of occasional outbreaks of influenza, we have never had any outbreaks of any diseases at all. I do not think the position of the Home detrimental to rheumatics. If I saw patients being put to work that was detrimental to them, I could at once stop it. With the dryingroom at a temperature of 120 deg. Fahr., I do not think it would hurt the men who were working there. No complaint has been made to me about that work. Death-rate, 1902-3 :In 1902 and 1903 there was an epidemic of influenza. Dr. Girdler was in charge. His first certificate was signed 18th March, 1902. There is nothing in that certificate that would lead me to believe that either the situation of the Home or the Hospital washing would account for the increase in the death-rate. There were fourteen deaths resulting from influenza. I do not think the Hospital washing should be sent to the Home. All kinds of diseases may be brought with it. I do not think that any disease has been brought there in that way. We never had any infectious disease there. Influenza was prevalent all over the place at that time; we had it at the Home. The freedom from zymotic diseases is mostly due to the age of the inmates. The same drugs are supplied to the Home as are supplied to the Hospital. The Manager has no right to interfere with my prescriptions. I taught Mr. Moss to use the catheter and the morphia hypodermic to the cancer patients. I consider the position of the Costley Home to be one of the healthiest in Auckland. Patients sent in a bad condition from the Hospital have improved greatly. These patients were supposed to be incurable. I think it would be wise for the Board to have power to prevent certain patients from going outside the grounds. Augustus E. Skynner recalled. The old men in the drying-room assist to hang up the clothes, and take them down when dry. A man would be inside the room about an hour and three-quarters to two hours during the whole day. They were employed five days a week. No complaints have been made about that work. One man may be in a little longer. There are nineteen men there at the present time.

Saturday, 21st November, 1903. John Fitt sworn and examined. lam the Mayor of Parnell. I was a member of the Committee to inquire into, inter alia, the management of the Costley Home in August, 1903. I visited the Costley Home some time after

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the report of the Committee was sent in. I met Mr. Bruce and some other gentlemen at the Home. I told Mr. Bruce that I intended to look through the wards. He was pleased. I and the Town Clerk of Parnell walked through the wards and through No. 1 Ward. Two or three of the inmates were in the ward. The mattresses were not the same length as the bedsteads. The ward looked clean. I thought the bedclothes were insufficient. The blankets were discoloured. The iron bedsteads wanted painting. I went to No. 7 Ward. A patient named Reid did not appear to be satisfied. He complained of cold. The blankets on his bed were thin. The quilt was thin, and the inmate was dissatisfied. I found Mr. Bruce, who went back into that ward with me. I asked Reid to make the statement to Mr. Bruce that he had made to me. He did so, word for word. The paralysed patient made a statement to Mr. Bruce also. Mr. Bruce promised to see into the matter. I then called his attention to some stagnant water near the building. I went to the dining-room. The top of the table was clean, but the rail and legs of the table were covered with the accumulated dirt of years. Spiders spun their webs in it. Then I went to the wash-house. There was a pile of clothes there which were very stinking. Then I went to the pigsties. They were clean. The drainage is deficient, and dangerous to the neighbourhood. The urinals could be kept better. I then left. In my opinion it is the fault of the Manager, not the Board. The Manager should report to the Board the wants of the Home and alterations required, that there might be more comfort there. It is a pity there is not a place provided for classification. There should be a ward for those who are old and have conducted themselves properly through life as distinguished from those who have not. By Mr. Cotter: I saw Mr. Court before I visited the Home. Ido not remember speaking to Mr. Court after I visited the Home and saj'ing the only thing I saw wrong was one bed short of blankets and the table-legs dirty. I knew Mr. Skynner was the Manager. I did not speak to the Manager about these matters. John Court recalled by Mr. Cotter. I met Mr. Fitt in Queen Street. We spoke about the Costley Home a few days after the opening of Cornwall Park. He told me he had visited the Home on the day of the opening. He said he found the table-tops clean, but the legs were dirty. The only other complaint was that an inmate in one of the wards was short of blankets, and that he had called the attention of Mr. Bruce to it. He said that was all. I asked if he thought that was sufficient to call for a Royal Commission of inquiry. He said " No." Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,450 copies), £16 19s.

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