6

1.—7

A. HOBY

67. Practical as well as theoretical?- Yes, the whole thing should be done at the college. That is the American principle. 68. That is why you disapprove of apprentices altogether ?- -Yes; I would like to see the college take the whole of the tuition out of the hands of private individuals. 69. You think there would be more efficient instruction —that is your own personal view ?-- Yes, I have held that for years; but it, of course, is against my own interests. In my own interests I would sooner keep the pupils. 70. But in the interests of the public the tuition should be taken out of the hands of private individuals and placed in the hands of the university ?—Yes. 71. With regard to the limitation of the number of apprentices, do you think it is desirable to limit the number to two? —Yes, I think it is a good thing. A question was raised as to whether a man should not, be allowed another apprentice in a case where he had one or two mechanics who were not qualified for dentistry at all. That was a suggestion from Auckland that a man should be allowed to take one more for every such mechanic whom he employed. 72. Another apprentice?— Yes, another apprentice beyond the two. 73. What is the dentists' reason for limiting the number to two? Is it that the dentists may be able to devote more attention to two than perhaps to four? That provision was not inserted by us at all. Mr. Sidey: The reason why that provision was inserted was that many dentists are simply running their business with apprentices. 74. Mr. EU.] Do you approve of that as a reason why the provision should go in?—-That would be a good reason. 75. What practical training do apprentices get under existing conditions? I think you told us that you would not allow an apprentice to make experiments?-I would not upon a patient of mine. 76. He might practise on perhaps his personal friends? Yes, anybody he could get to come in. 77. If he did not happen to bring in personal friends, &c, how would he get his practical training in extracting teeth and filling cavities? —There is no difficulty about getting friends to come in for fillings. I have never had any difficulty with my pupils about that. The only difficulty I have had has been with extractions. 78. Under the present system, then, there is no guarantee that practical training is given, which is really essential?— Yes, that is quite correct. 79. Now with regard to the premium paid. I have heard of .£2OO being asked, but the usual thing, I understand, is £100? -That is about the average. It varies from £.")<). 80. What is your opinion as to the amount of the premium being limited in the Bill? —I have never thought of that. One dentist of a certain standing can only command a comparatively small amount, while another man can command a much higher premium. I do not see why he should not get the higher premium if his standing is such that he can command it. 81. Of course, that places restrictions on people who have not got means? —Yes. 82. But if there was a school where dental students could be trained that difficulty would be removed, assuming, of course, that the Government would not insist upon a high premium?—l would like to say in this connection that if my idea of having a school like those in America were carried out, and the school for training students was placed under the control of the University, the money which now goes to the dentists would go to the school ; whereas if we had the apprenticeship system in conjunction with the school, it would be a question whether the burden of keeping up the school would not fall upon the country. If the training of the students was in the hands of the University altogether, there would be ample funds forthcoming from the pupils themselves. 83. What is your opinion of this suggestion: That for practical work a thoroughly qualified dentist should be placed in each of the four centres in connection with the hospitals, so that any poor persons who chose to get free treatment there could- do so. The qualified man would supervise the work and would train the students in practical work. The theoretical work, of course, would have to be done at the dental school. Do you think it would be desirable to have such an institution as that in each of the four centres for practical work? —You could not have a good one in each centre. I think it would be very nice for the poor people in each of the large towns to have that, but I do not think it would be a thorough way of teaching, because you want a much more thorough school than can be provided at each of the four centres. 84. I understand that. I do not want a school, but a place where the student can become proficient in extracting teeth, filling cavities, and so forth. A practical dentist could be placed in each hospital ? —To give his whole time to it. 85. Yes, and in this institution the students could get practical experience?— But how much time would they spend at the University? The course is for, say, four years. Would they be three years there and one year at the hospital? 86. Possibly so, to get the practical experience? I think the plan is feasible, but you would not get the best results. I like the idea, because of the scattered nature of our population ; but, as I say, I do not think the best results would be obtained. 87. The Chairman.] Do \'ou consider the Senate a better Examining Board than the present Board of Examiners, putting aside the question of the school? —Yes, the Senate has it in its power to make it so. 88. The Senate was once the Examining Board. Can you tell me the reason why this arrangement was discontinued ? It was much against the will of the bulk of the dentists of the colony, and was greatly to our surprise. Mr. Rawson and 1 came down here lobbying and trying to prevent it, but we were too late. 89. Was not the reason this: that complaints were made that the Senate examined in only one place, and that it was very hard on students from different parts of the colony to go to that