H.—22a

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Does it not put a dangerous power in the hands of the Senior Officer?—l don't think so, if you trust him. Had the medical side any consideration when the Board was determined to appoint a man of ripe surgical experience as Superintendent?—l thought a man who was a good surgeon would also have good qualifications as a medical man. I know eminent surgeons who are good medical men. Will you name one?—l will, if I'm pressed to. Dr. Roberton: May I press the question, Your Honour? Witness: I am not afraid to mention it. Dr. Roberton: I won't press it, Your Honour. Continuing, the witness said the Senior Medical Officer was consulted sometimes in regard to finances, but he was not allowed to reply to a deputation from the honorary staff, which waited on the Board in March, 1903, in regard to the Board's finances. Some technical questions arose, and the Senior Medical Officer was asked to explain them. Witness himself replied to the deputation. Dr. Roberton: Has the Senior Officer kept all the Hospital rules? Witness: You and I are not able to keep the ten commandments, so I don't know how you expect the Senior Officer to keep forty-seven of them. The Chairman : You are not paid for keeping the ten commandments. (Laughter.) At this juncture the Commission adjourned. On the Commission resuming on Friday, the 28th October, Mr. G. J. Garland, Chairman of the Hospital Board, continuing his evidence under examination by Dr. Roberton, detailed the various measures adopted during the past two or three years in regard to the treatment of infectious diseases. In reply to Dr. Collins, witness said that very few infectious cases were treated at the Hospital prior to his (Dr. Collins's) appointment. Beyond what was known as the " plague" hospital, they only had the cottage, capable of accommodating about six patients. He believed that there were over a hundred cases between January, 1902 (when Dr .Collins took charge), and October of the same year. In order to cope with the infectious cases in that year, the Board took charge of the "plague" building, drained it, and used it for infectious cases. Dr. Collins read a report which he furnished to the Board in October, 1902, dealing with the question of infectious diseases. He pointed out the extra expense (about £1,155) already incurred in that year in treating infectious diseases, and warned the Board that it would have to make provision for the treatment of such cases. Dr. Roberton read a provision in the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, which provided that any person seeking relief "shall be liable to contribute a reasonable sum, according to his means." The witness said he considered a "reasonable sum" was the average daily cost of maintenance in the Hospital, and that was the basis adopted by the Board. The fees, however, were written off when the Fees Committee considered there was reason for it. Some patients cost more than others, and these patients frequently did not pay anything. A suggestion had been made that a record should be kept of the cost of each patient, and that every patient, if his means permitted, should be compelled to pay such cost. The Board considered that such a system, would entail too much book-keeping. The amount spent on the Hospital buildings was, he thought, over £50,000. No provision was made for depreciation and interest on the cost of these buildings in calculating the average cost of patients. He recollected a deputation waiting on the Board in reference to the introduction of a graduated scale of charges arranged according to the financial position of the patients. His idea of the scheme was to exclude people who could pay, so they would have to go to a private hospital. That was the impression he gained, although it was not so stated. Under certain circumstances he favoured patients being charged according to their means, but the law would, in his opinion, have to be changed. Dr. Roberton : If a millionaire was treated, should he only pay the same as the person who could barely pay the 4s. Bd. per day now charged?—lf a man who is opulent contributes towards the upkeep of the Hospital through the local authority, and has to go to the Hospital for treatment, or a member of his family is sent, it would be very unreasonable to expect him to pay more than another ratepayer who is not so wealthy. Dr. Roberton: But the Act provides for the payment of a " reasonable sum according to his means." Questioned about the method adopted by the Board for recovering fees from patients, the witness said it was dealt with by a Fees Committee. The first notice sent out asked for settlement, the second for immediate payment, and this was followed up, if no reply was received, by a man making inquiries as to the position of the defaulter. If thought expedient, legal proceedings were then taken. No hardship was intended by the Board. He remembered, since he had been Chairman, that an order had been given to cease the out-patient department, because it was growing to such proportions as to become uncontrollable. The out-patient department had now been arranged so that it should be carried on by the Charitable Aid Committee. Dr. Roberton handed the notices sent out by the Board to patients to Mr. Garland, who, on looking them over, stated that four notices were sent out before legal proceedings were taken. Dr. Roberton: Legal proceedings are mentioned on the second notice. How is that?—l suppose some people are thick-skinned. The Chairman inquired the reason of the sudden change of the Board in deciding to convert the Costley Wards into surgical wards.