H.—29

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said he would not be on duty next day (Sunday). The usual Sunday holiday is from 10 to 10. There was no possible excuse for his being hi bed this Sunday morning. His foreman, Newman, was doing duty on Sunday morning. No attendant is ever off duty on Sunday mornings except with the doctor's permission for ill-health, &c. Arundel was a growler from the very first. I was surprised the doctor did not dismiss him for insolence when I spoke to him on the patient's dancenight. Chaelotte Matilda Beswick, sworn, examined. 116. By Dr. Macgregor.] lam matron. Once I saw the meat so much underdone that it was not fit to eat. It was a joint of mutton sent in by mistake. It was taken out of the oven to keep it for next day, and it was taken by mistake. The only reason I can give for the discontent is that some people like their meat what I call overdone. The cook is a very careful and good cook. Stanley Blacklaws, sworn, examined. 117. By Dr. MacGregor.] I remember once taking a leg of mutton to Mr. Stewart, which was badly cooked. It was quite good and fresh. The Doctor sent for the matron. I heard no explanation of why it was underdone. The cook mentioned to me that it was the matron's joint. 118. Dr. King : The explanation was not given before Blacklaws. Witness continued: About throwing out the fish: I got a large dish of fish. When I got to No. 1 table there were five attendants at that table, and four others standing round. I told them there were only four fish. I said they must stand off. They did not do so, but I was rushed. Some dishes were knocked down. I picked the fish up, and said : "If you don't go, I will throw them out of the window." My tea was spilled over my legs, and I knocked or threw the dish of fish out of the window. John Mace, sworn, examined. 119. By Dr. MacGregor.] lam head carpenter. When the first complaint was made, the doctor rectified the matter at once. I have never seen anything to complain of since. I felt sore at my accidental cutting of the tablecloth being called a " savage act." When called upon to clear the rest,' I came forward and admitted I had done it. I cut the cloth in cutting a piece of cheese, because I had no plate. 120. Dr. King: It was a new cloth. It contained three cuts right through, each about three inches long. I could not imagine it was done accidentally. I classed it with the other act of vandalism —namely, throwing out the fish. 121. Witness 'continued: I also agreed to sign because I heard that the doctor blamed two or three for the complaint about the cooking. 122. By Dr. King.] I have always found you very just and considerate. I never found you severe. John Kilgoue, sworn, examined. 123. By Dr. MacGregor.] lam an outdoor attendant. I could not say the cooking was often bad. It has not been worse lately than it has been off and on the last thirteen years. The bread some while ago was sticky ; I think it must have been the flour. It was never unfit to eat; it was simply not up to the average. I have sometimes seen the attendants take the crust off good bread simply because it was rather new. The bread as a rule is good. During the month before the complaint the bread was good. There was nothing to complain of. When the first complaint was made I heard the doctor say he would do his best to put things right. There was nothing to complain of since that. I was quite taken aback when the doctor was called in. It began from one table—No. 2, centre table. The staff were not in it at all. It was said that the paper was not to be used, but simply to take it off the shoulders of Impey and Arundel, and, as we all had been making remarks, I signed it. The object was to shield Impey and Arundel from being the only agitators. I knew they were the men who had got it up. Nobody told me. I saw it with my own eyes. They did it without being authorised by the body of attendants. I did not know it demanded an apology from the doctor. I said, " It's all humbug." I was called a turntail and a crawler. John Pullab, sworn, examined. 124. By Dr. MacGregor.] I am at present in charge of the farm. The meat was sometimes rather underdone. I like the meat very well done. The potatoes were waterlogged. I know you cannot get good potatoes at that time of the year. The new potatoes will not be ready for some days yet, The corned beef was pretty often rather underdone. I took no particular notice. I did not complain of the corned beef to Stewart; I cannot say whether any others did. I signed the petition to the doctor. The object of the petition was to let the doctor know they were not satisfied with the cooking. The quality of the meat was good. lam a butcher. The beef and mutton were good. I did not know this petition demanded that the doctor should withdraw some words he was said to have used. 125. By Dr. King.] They read a part to me, and they said it was to show tney were unanimous. 126. By Dr. MacGregor.] I merely signed to show the doctor there was something wrong. I did not go to any of the meetings; I did not think it worth while. There was nothing in it altogether. I would be surprised if it were shown to me that it [the paper] demanded the withdrawal of certain words the doctor was said to have used. The doctor at the first time said he would do his best to put the matter right. He went off to the kitchen. Immediately after that the food was first-class. The doctor put the whole thing right after the first complaint. I have heard the most of them admit this. 127. Why did you, after this, think it necessary to sign the paper?—lt was because the doctor was said to blame only two or three. It was Arundel that told me, and also Clark, that the doctor blamed two or three. I thought, after they got their point, they were carrying things with a high hand, and that it was ridiculous. 2—H. 29.