H.—22a

58

Mr. McVeagh: Do you remember having some specimens from a girl named Guthrie sent to you for bacteriological examination?— Yes; I examined them on several occasions for tubercle bacillus, but I only got negative results. Do you know whether Dr. Collins undertook an examination of the same specimens?— Yes; I heard that he had made au examination, and had found what was, in his opinion, tubercle bacillus, and that he had given that opinion to the honorary physician in charge of the case. As a consequence I understood that Dr. Makgill received an application for the admission of the patient to the sanatorium. Tho particular specimens which you were asked to examine require to be very carefully taken from the patient?— Yes, very carefully; and a certain other bacillus, similar to the tubercle bacillus, is very often present in such cases, but it may be excluded if the specimen is taken in a certain way. Mr. McVeagh: Who controlled the administration of anaesthetics in the Adelaide Hospital?— The Superintendent, who was a skilled anaesthetist. At what time did the resident medical staff visit the wards there? —As a rule the morning visits were commenced about half-past 8, and those in the evening were made about half-past 6 or 7. The visits were made before the honorary staff made theirs. Was not the Superintendent of *hat Hospital mainly concerned in the administration of the internal economy of the Hospital?— Yes. Did he ever undertake major operations, such as those of an abdominal nature?—l never saw him undertake one. There was no trouble in getting the honorary staff to attend them. Could you express an opinion as to whether the most skilled physicians and surgeons in Auckland are on the honorary staff at the present time?—T have not been long enough here to give' an opinion about that. You were administering anaesthetics in the Adelaide Hospital. Was your administration controlled in any way?—lt was for the first few months; and even after five or six months, if there was a bad case, the Superintendent undertook it. After that time I was allowed a freo hand. Do you think that junior resident doctors, of the age of those now in the Auckland Hospital, should he permitted to administer anaesthetics without any guidance?—No, I do not. In reply to questions concerning the admission of patients, the witness said she saw no difficulty in the way of a member of the resident staff examining and admitting a patient who went to the Hospital without a doctor's recommendation. Mr. McVeagh: Do you know whether any animals w-ere inoculated by Dr. Collins in the laboratory?—He said he inoculated some frogs with anthrax. Do you consider that judicious on the part of the Senior Medical Officer of the Hospital?— Well, I did not inoculate anything with anthrax myself at the time, because I considered it would be dangerous in the Hospital. You have been present at meetings of the honorary staff? Latterly I have. Do you remember any discussion since Dr. Neil's suspension in relation to emergency work?—At the meeting before Dr Neil was suspended it was suggested that the emergency work should be done by the honorary staff, if possible. Ido not remember whether any direct discussion took place on the subject of Dr. Neil's suspension. Do you remember any observation by Dr. Collins as to the position he would take up if he did not have the emergency work ?—Yes ; I understood him to say that under the conditions of his appointment he was permitted to do emergency work, and that he would resign if not permitted to continue it. You are aware of the rule requiring members of the honorary staff to sign the attendance-book?—I am aware of it now; but I did not know of it until this bother arose. I never signed the book. The laboratory is in the basement, and I did not always see the book. Was any complaint ever made of your not signing it?— No. There was no talk about suspending you for non-attendance?— No. Mr. Reed : Did any ill effects follow the anthrax-cultures made by Dr. Collins?—Not to me. I took care not to go there whilst he was fixing them up. Did you have any difficulty in obtaining instruments from the Board for the laboratory?—No; they were most liberal. Anything that I suggested was done. Did you complain to the Board or Dr. Collins that he was interfering with your bacteriological work?—lt was rather awkward to tell him to go out. T could not possibly do my work when he was always there. You are cramped for room in the laboratory, then?—lt is big enough for two or three people if each one knew their own work. You say there was a tacit arrangement that you would be there in the mornings, and that Dr. Collins would have the laboratory in the afternoons?—l suppose so. Some one told me that Dr. Collins had been asking why I avoided him as if he were the plague. Has Dr. Collins been in the laboratory much lately?—l have not seen him there for the past six months. Did you directly request him not to go there?—No, I did not; but I think I told him I could work much better if I had it to myself. He seemed to agree to that at last. Questioned on the point of the production by patients of doctors' certificates before admission, Dr. Frost said it would, no doubt, act very well for the convenience of the Hospital, and there was no reason