15

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Chairman, which, if deemed necessary, were put by him to any witness under examination. In addition to those formally invited, a number of private citizens voluntarily attended and gave evidence before the Commission. The evidence was taken partially on oath, but no direct and relevant information was excluded because the person conveying the information was not present or had not been sworn. At Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin suitable rooms were placed at the service of the Commissioners by the Public Departments, and the greatest courtesy was extended to them by the Mayors, District Health Officers, and all representatives of public bodies. At Dunedin special attention and courtesy was paid to the Commissioners by Professor Dr. Champtaloup and Dr. Lindo Fergusson, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, in affording them full opportunity, by invitation, to inspect the new School of Medicine in Great King Street, when a number of bacteriological cultures were shown, and explanations given by the gentlemen here referred to. Thanks are due to the various witnesses for their attendance and the time given in verifying matters of information for the Commission. It should be added that all the witnesses attended and gave their evidence without fee. A list of witnesses is contained in the Appendix herewith. We have in the first instance to express our regret that we have been compelled to occupy a much longer time than we had expected in. giving effect to Your Excellency's Commission. For this there have been two causes — (1.) The very wide scope and general character of the subject-matter of the order of reference, dealing as it does in most cases not so much with the ascertaining of definite facts as with matters relating to public health generally, and concerning organization and administration. These cover much ground, and necessarily involve the examination of a large number of witnesses from all classes in the leading cities of the Dominion. (2.) The fact that the Department of Public Health, including the Minister, avowedly considered the administration of the Department to be on its trial. In consequence much diligence and cost have been devoted to the preparation and presentation of numerous reports, accompanied by statistics, graphs, and suchlike, on a great variety of subjects, including departmental, military, scientific (bacteriological and pathological) information and opinion. This can be best illustrated by the following memorandum submitted to us by Colonel Valintine on behalf of his Department: — Suggested Subjects for Investigation by Royal Commission regarding recent Influenza Epidemic and future Precautions. Prior to Epidemic : — General health of Dominion. Effect of the war. Departmental staff available when outbreak began. Epidemiology of Influenza: — History of previous outbreak throughout the -world and in New Zealand. Experience in other countries as regards present epidemic. Effect of Movements of Troops: — General history of the disease and its spread in New Zealand in 1918. Evidence as to place of origin. Evidence from military camps. Measures necessary to prevent the Introduction of the Epidemic: — From present knowledge could any precaution have been taken which would have prevented effectually the introduction of influenza into New Zealand ? (1.) Quarantine. —(a.)' When should this have been initiated, and to what extent? (6.) What ports should have been regarded as infected ? (c.) With the facilities available, could effective quarantine have.been established ? (d.) Is it possible to establish effective quarantine against influenza ? Experience in Australia—action taken and results, (c.) Are present quarantine facilities sufficient to deal with extensive shipping arriving in New Zealand ports. (2.) Vaccination. —Would the prior use of a prophylactic vaccine have minimized the epidemic ? What evidence was there in October that such a vaccine might be used ?