63

H.—22a,

In re-examination by Mr. McVeagh, witness said that he did not experience the same difficulty in his private practice in regard to suppuration as in the Hospital. The honorary staff did all the serious operations in witness's time. In respect to the operation performed on Peake in the Hospital, he said that it was proper surgery not to remove the loose pieces of bone, and it was also proper to wire them to the main bone, as had been done, as otherwise the effect (owing to the greatness of the separation between the two ends) would have been to make the leg so much shorter. Dr. Roberton: Would not the chairman of the honorary staff be a proper means of communication between the staff and the Board?— Yes, certainly. Elizabeth Susannah Bowles, Matron of the Northern W T airoa Hospital, and formerly a nurse in the Auckland Hospital, stated that she left the latter Hospital last November, after having been there nineteen years and a half. She remembered the case of William Peake. Dr. Scott's name was at first over Peake's bed, but it was afterwards turned in by the instructions of Dr. Collins, who said that all the names had to be turned in. She remembered Peake having haemorrhage from a broken jaw, and also having an abscess in the jaw, which was ascribed to Peake cutting himself whilst shaving. Dr. Bennett said it was due to the broken jaw. Prior to Dr. Collins's time the honorary staff had charge of witness's ward. They did not have the same degree of charge after Dr. Collins was appointed. There were good results under both systems. She considered that the food was fairly satisfactory on the whole. Sometimes the fish was not very good. The eggs were not very good during the winter. Witness suggested that something might be substituted for eggs, but the suggestion was not adopted. Dr. Collins usually went to the Hospital in the mornings between 9 and 10, and earlier in cases of operations. By Mr. Reed: The house steward used to visit the wards at mealtimes. So far as she knew, all complaints regarding the food were attended to. By Dr. Collins: She could prepare a patient's leg for operation in half an hour. There would be a further preparation necessary on the operating-table, occupying from twenty minutes to half an hour. In all, it would take over an hour from the time a patient came in until the operation commenced. Peake's was a very bad case, and the operation was done as quickly as possible on account of the man's serious condition. Have we not had satisfactory results from fractures whilst I have been at the Hospital?- -Yes, fairly satisfactory. What time did you first go to the Hospital?—ln 1883. Who was the resident Medical Officer then?— Dr. Mackellar. "Dr. Bond afterwards took it. Did Dr. Bond leave the Hospital on account of any unpleasantness? -I do not remember. When he was afterwards an honorary surgeon some charge was brought against him in regard to an operation, and he resigned. Was a charge laid against Dr. Floyd Collins when he was in charge of the Hospital?— Yes; a charge was brought against him by a nurse. As a result he resigned. Was a Royal Commission appointed ?—I do not remember; but there was an inquiry. Witness said that after that they got the honorary staff back again, and then Dr. Baldwin was appointed Senior Medical Officer. Do you know whether Dr. Baldwin left on account of some trouble in regard to his opinion regarding a supposed plague case?—l do not remember. Did he not have his salary reduced during his term?—l belieye so. Is it not strange that this should be so, if things were so satisfactory during his term as we have been told?—lt does seem strange. Was there any unpleasantness between members of the staff and Dr. Baldwin? -Yes, I suppose so. Was not Dr. Baldwin exceedingly glad to leave the Hospital on that account?—l do not know. What happened when Dr. Baldwin left?— Dr. Inglis took charge, and Dr. Bedford, as medical adviser to the Board, acted as supervisor. Was that satisfactory?— Yes. Then, why was it changed?—l do not know. William Allen was then examined in relation to the charge against Dr. Collins of allowing junior surgeons to attend to him when he was suffering from a broken arm, and also of failing to attend to him immediately on admission. Witness said he met with an accident through falling amongst some machinery, and broke his arm. He went to the Hospital, where, after some time, Drs. Horsfall and Bennett put the arm in splints. Some days afterwards it was taken out and reset. He afterwards became an out-patient, and his arm not feeling right he underwent another operation in the Hospital by Dr. Gordon. There was then a consultation. He owed the sum of £19 16s. Bd. for the Hospital treatment. His wages was £2 2s. a week, and he had a delicate wife and child to keep. Mr. McVeagh: Have you received any demand for payment?--Yes; I have received two letters demanding payment. Mr. McVeagh read the two letters. The first, dated May, 1903. demanded payment, and the second, dated January, 1904, repeated the demand, and stated that if it was not paid legal proceedings would be taken to enforce payment. Did you make any application to the Board for a reduction?— No. By Dr. Roberton : Did it occur to you that the members of the Hospital Board were a kindly lot of gentlemen, who would have let you off if you had asked them?—l do not think they would have done so,