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H.—22a

Dr. Collins: Am 1 not right in saying that a great deal of the surgical work from the main Hospital has been done in the Costley theatre?—l can't say. I can only speak for when I was there. 1 operated more often in the main building than in the Costley theatre. Do you know of any case being carried to the Costley theatre and back to the main Hospital?—l do remember a case. Who planned the theatre—the Board or the honorary staff?—l don't know. Were you on the staff at that time?—l know I was on the staff when the question of building the ward for the children was mooted. Who planned the ward—the Board, on its own responsibility, or with the advice of the staff? —I don't know. Did the staff approve?—l don't know what the staff did, but 1 did not. Dr. Lewis then said he wanted two alterations effected—a window placed on the south side, and a new set of washing-basins and waterouppty. He believed there was a convenience next to the operatingtheatre, but did not think it a source of danger. He was not aware that the pipe from the convenience passed under one corner of the theatre. Referring to the plans of the Costley Wards, Dr. Collins asked: Do you remember if the staff approved or disapproved?—l don't remember that. My own opinion is that it is a beautiful little hospital. Do you think the Costley operating-theatre was necessary?—No, 1 don't think it was necessary. Did the staff advise the Board to build one?—l don't know. Did the staff advise the Board sending me South for the purpose of forming plans for a new theatre?—l don't know. I wasn't present at the meeting when it was discussed. Dr. Collins: You say semi-lunatics should not be put in the typhoid ward?—l don't agree to that. During your time at the Hospital were not several Magisterial inquiries held in the ward while typhoid cases were there?—lnquiry into what? The mental capacity of patients?—l only remember being there once with Mr. Kettle. I think it was in one of the typhoid wards. What cases require separate treatment at the Hospital?— There should bo p. ward for septic cases and delirium tremens. Mr. Beetham: Do you take those patients into the Hospital?--Yes; at present they do. Mr. Beetham: During my twenty-five years in Christohurch 1 never sent one case to the Hospital. 1 have never done it in my life. Dr. Lewis: What do you do with them? Mr. Beetham: Have them attended to at their own homes. Dr. Collins: Are semi-lunacy, imbecile, and chronic cases sent into the Hospital on the recommendation of medical men?—l can only speak for myself. I have sent cases of that sort in. Do you think it right to take in venereal cases?— Certainly I do. What accommodation do your recommend?—l should recommend a ward being set aside. It is not an insuperable difficulty, and the cases would not require a large amount of accommodation. Dr. Collins: You are aware that the Hospital washing is sent to the Costley Home?—l don't think it a right thing. Do you advise building a laundry?— Most decidedly. In Wellington they have a sterilising-apparatus for sterilising blankets, sheets, &c. Do you recommend something of the same sort in Auckland?— Yes. No hospital is properly equipped unless it has the means of sterilising. Do you approve of diphtheria being treated on the Hospital grounds?—l don't see why it shouldn't be treated there. Do you think it right we should be obliged to take in puerperal cases?— One of the main functions of the Hospital is to save life, and if you refuse these cases you are destroying valuable lives. Would not the admission of such cases endanger valuable lives?—l don't think so, if you have them in an isolated position. The Hospital is for the treatment of various kinds of sickness, and if there is no accommodation those able to pay for outside medical treatment should be excluded. Dr. Collins pointed out the difficulty that would be experienced in ascertaining a person's means. He went on to ask Dr. Lewis if he recommended separate wards for various kinds of contagious-diseases cases, and witness replied: I don't know how many wards you want me to say I agree to. Dr. Collins: You say you don't agree with the present pavilion system?— No. I didn't say that. Dr. Roberton corrected Dr. Collins in his use of the word "pavilion," and said it was not the pavilion system that existed at the Hospital. Mr. Beetham: It is a go-as-you-please system. Dr. Roberton: That's what I think. In asking the witness about making provision for the various infectious-diseases cases, Dr. Collins pointed out that the padded cells in the basement were unfit for occupation, on account of their dampness and coldness, there being no means of heating the cells. Alcoholic cases should not therefore be put in the cells, as coldness was to be avoided in such cases, it being detrimental to the patient. Dr. Collins further pointed out that to erect a laundry and build separate wards would entail an increased staff, provision being made for them, and a great deal more work. Dr. Lewis: I am not a specialist in these things. The work would be increased if you take in everybody irrespective of their ability to pay for outside medical treatment.