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whole of the block there should be devoted to surgical cases. Every penny that the Board could scrape together for years to come ought to be devoted to the pulling-down of the wooden building (Nos. 8 and 9) and the erection of new wards on the same site. With the present accommodation very little improvement could be made, with the exception of the lift and sanitary improvements, beyond what had been done. Generally the Board, with the existing accommodation, were doing as well as could be expected. The back steps were only a survival of some mediaeval manor-house. He had stated this long ago, but he had no power to compel anything to be done. Mr. Reed: Do you think the old building should be pulled down? -No; it would be a pity to do that, as for certain classes of cases it could not be beaten in the world. In reply to a question by Mr. Reed as to the Board being able to afford to effect improvements, Dr. MacGregor remarked, " I have known the Auckland Board to pretend they were poor when they were not." (Laughter.) Mr. Reed: Should patients be admitted free?—No; excepting those not able to pay, the Hospital being largely for the poor. Would you propose to exclude persons from the Hospital able to pay for outside assistance ? The members of the Board and the medical staff must not be afraid to do their duty, no matter how the Press or public may clamour. Do you say the Board has been influenced by the public?—l am not prepared to make any such general statement. I won't be caught like that. (Laughter.) In vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird. (Renewed laughter.) Mr. Reed: What should be the constitution of the Board?— Well, we are living in a democratic country of an advanced kind, and in asking me that question you want me to discuss the political and social position of the country. What improvement do you suggest ? -There would be an improvement if the public exorcised a little common-sense. For instance, the alteration of the suffrage upon which the members of the Board are elected, which has been spoken of and contemplated, to that on which members of Parliament are elected. Would the same result be obtained under the present elective system?— Practically the only result obtained under the existing state of things is confusion. What is your opinion as to the constitution of the Board to secure better results?—l have thought the Government should be represented as finding more than half the money. The Government is not at all represented. No locu.s standi. I do not know if the Government has really even the power to elect a Royal Commission to see how you are getting on. (Laughter.) Without Government representation, is the Board likely to be better constituted from a patient's point of view?—ls there a patient's point of view ? It is a figure of speech, and we are now dealing with accurate expressions. None of the doctors have given a clear reason why a Board with nominated members would be in a better position to satisfy patients than an elective Board. What is the reason?—lf it is a case of patients perpetually demanding things without paying for them—a Board likely to give them things for nothing out of the pocket of the ratepayerthen I admit it certainly would not be so advantageous to the patients. I am afraid I can't get anything more definite than that?— You can try. (Laughter.) I think perhaps it is a little too definite, and not indefinite. I don't wish to be charged with giving indefinite answers, not even by implication. Would the medical profession having representation on the Board be of advantage?— Judging of the wisdom of the medical profession of Auckland by the representations made by them, I say it would not be good. (Laughter.) You don't agree with the representations made?— Certainly not. Where are the members of the Board to get guidance from?They want to listen to me. (Laughter.) But you are not always on the premises?—l am always accessible, and I give straight answers. Has the Board made errors through following the advice of the medical profession?— Certainly. I don't think with a Board of Solomons you would have got the medical profession to pursue the path of common-sense with regard to the Auckland Hospital, even during the time I have seen it. In reply to Mr. Reed, witness said he thought that the present annual elections of members of the Board were a disadvantage. He would favour a system under which, say, three members would retire every year, as it would insure continuity of administration except in regard to the secretary, unless the members were re-elected. As a consequence they spent most of their term in learning their duties. As to whether the Hospital Board should be distinct from the Charitablo Aid Board was a big question. There was no possibility of curing the hospital evils in the colony, both here and elsewhere, without local government reform. Supposing, say, nine-tenths of the existing local bodies were abolished, and they had a few large organizations, hospitals, perhaps, would be placed m charge of one committee, and so on. He certainly thought that the lady superintendent should attend to the inspection of the food, and he had been astonished and stasgered to hear her say that she did not do it now. Mr. Reed: Should not the house steward see to that?— Yes, he could go also, but it should certainly be done also by the lady superintendent.