H.—29

16

Memorandum by the Deputy Inspectoe of Lunatic Asylums. November 26th, 1892. I was just going into Court when the clerk called and showed me the piece of groper which the men had rejected, and had no time to discuss the matter or I would have asked him to show it to an eating-house keeper. It appeared to me to be first-class food. I think you had better inquire as to who originated the movement to discredit it. These things generally begin with one man, and the rest follow; indeed it may be regarded as an instinctive movement to follow and believe a suggestion condemning such food as meat and fish. The blame is with the first who unreasonably condemns it; nobody at the same table can afterwards eat with comfort. Dr. King, Seacliff. Feed. Chapman, . Deputy Inspector.

Memorandum by Attendant Clark in reference to his Dismissal. The doctor asked to see me in his office to-day. I went in, and there were present: Dr. King, Mr. Adam and Mr. Stewart. The doctor said he wanted to speak to me in reference to my actions during the last few days. He said he was surprised, as it was altogether different to my general behaviour. He also said that he was sure that I had been led away by others, and incited to the part I had taken in the complaints. He said that this was the first occasion that he ever had to find fault with me ; and that when I attached my name to the document containing the complaints, and also as a proof of unanimity amongst the staff, I had been guilty of insolence, and in fact gross insubordination towards the Superintendent. He said that if I expressed my regret, and say that I was sorry that I had done such a thing, he would overlook the matter altogether. I answered that I had not been led away or incited by any one into the part I had taken. That I signed my name of my own freewill, believing that we had just cause for complaint, and had so for some considerable time past, and was of the same opinion still; that I had no occasion to alter my mind on that point. He seemed not altogether satisfied with my answer, and introduced something I had said in reference to a statement of his at one of our meetings. The statement was this: That while we were complaining of the bad cooking, &c, he noticed a peculiar fact in connection with every or most new attendants coming to the place, that they invariably put on a stone in weight during the first month or six weeks. I replied that I was one of those attendants he was referring to, and that I did not consider the extra weight due to nutritious qualities of the food, but more to bracing airs about here, it being a very healthy place. Speaking for myself, I hold the same opinion still. Now, he said that when I dared to say such a thing I was very insolent indeed. He then made me the offer again, that if I apologized he would overlook it. I refused to do so, hence my dismissal, which I consider a very arbitrary proceeding indeed on his part, and for which I intend to demand an explanation.

Statement of Assistant Clerk and Head Attendant relative to Attendant Clark's Dismissal. Attendant Clark, spoken to by Dr King : Dr King said that he viewed Attendant Clark's conduct in regard to the recent difficulties in connection with the food as possibly resulting from his being led away by others ; that if this was the case, and he expressed regret, he (Dr. King) was willing to overlook his insolence and disrespectful attitude, and the fact of his having unjustifiably signed a document asking the Medical Superintendent to apologise. Attendant Clark replied that he had acted entirely of his own freewill, that he had expressed his own opinions, and that he still adhered to the signing of the paper asking Dr. King to apologise. Dr. King informed him that his services would be dispensed with at a month's notice. The foregoing is a correct report of what took place, we being present. John Adams, Assistant Clerk. 29th November, 1892. Bobert Stewart, Head Attendant.

Statement of Attendant Sneeston, re Injury to Patient Boderick Bbodebick. James McKibbin and Broderick were quarrelling in the yard, and I went over to them and asked Broderick to come inside, and he refused to come. He had been hit on the eye by McKibbin. I then caught hold of him, when he caught hold of me by the neck of the vest. Attendant Tattersall then came to my assistance, when Broderick also seized hold of him by the neck of the vest. The No. 3 men were then coming up to the hall for breakfast, and Attendant Campbell came to our assistance, and he kicked Campbell on the knee. Two patients—Pat O'Neill and James Whelan— came to assist Broderick, Whelan catching Tattersall round the neck. O'Neill had a slipper in his hand to throw at some of us, but- he then turned and threw two of the patients on the grass plot. We then succeeded in getting Broderick inside, and put him in a cell. He started kicking and fighting, and with strength we laid him down in the cell and held him there until he was quiet and said he would stop; and we then locked him in the cell and came out into the yard. By Dr. King : What state was Whelan in ? —He got up in a temper when he saw us struggling with Broderick. Was there any unnecessary force used by any of you ?—No, sir, not at all. 29th November, 1892. Thomas Sneeston.

Attendant Tattersall's statement coincides with the above

Attendant Campbell's statement coincides with the above. He also says that "during the whole time I have been in the Asylum, and I was nine months in the refractory yard, I never saw