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and the results obtained by its surgeons are simply miracles ; n fact, I cannot believe the return, it is far too good. 4970. Do you think that our return is a reasonable one —twenty-one deaths out of 123 cases ? —Are those all after operation ? 4971. Yes. Some of those persons, I know, were sent in in a moribund condition, and I also know that some of the operations were emergency ones. Ido not know what the Christchurch list includes. 4972. They were all operations performed within the Hospital.—Unless I know the character of the cases treated it is impossible for me to attempt to analyse your statistics ; they are utterly valueless. 4973. Well, I see that in the Christchurch Hospital that list of 146 cases includes tumours ?— That depends what a tumour means. Our students do operations of that kind perhaps. 4974. There were eighteen cases of hernia?— That is an operation that is undertaken sometimes to save life ;at other times it is quite a simple operation to remove any inconvenience. One wants to know the surroundings of these cases before they can express an opinion. 4975. I observe next eleven cases necrosis, seven amputations of the limb, seven amputations of the thigh, nine of excision of the knee-joint, and nine of lapirotomy ?—Those, for the most part, are very simple, except the last. 4976. Well, there are four cases of Tail's?— Yes. 4977. The next are Emmet's?— That is an unnecessary operation, to begin with :it is exceedingly simple. 4978. Six cases of trepanning?— That is not very difficult. 4979. One abdominal section?— You must show the state in which these operations came into the hospital before you can institute a fair comparison. 4980. Not the statistics ?—There is no earthly use repeating these questions about statistics; I cannot swallow them wholesale. I want to know every circumstance connected with them. As I have already told you, at present they are absolutely worthless. 4981. The Chairman.'] Do you approve of the position of the kitchen ?—No; it is certainly very bad. I think a kitchen should be attached to every ward. 4982. Do you think it a proper or safe thing to have a boiler immediately below any of the wards ?—No, Ido not. On very hot days it is exceedingly uncomfortable, and there is always danger of explosion. 4983. In your opinion, are the arrangements for cooking sufficient?—l do not know much about them. 4984. Is the atmosphere of the kitchen a safe place, in your opinion, for the storage of food ?— Certainly not. As far as I know, there is no proper place for keeping the food. 4985. I suppose there is a meat-safe ?—Yes, I suppose so, down below. 4986. That is outside of the south tower, is it not?—lt is quite close to one of the gullytraps. 4987. What have you to say about the children's ward ?—I think it is very unfit for the purpose. It is built too low, and is altogether too small and damp. The nurses' accommodation is also very unsatisfactory. Mr. White : It has been altered.—lf so, it has been altered within the last few days. In any case, the position of the children's ward is bad. There are a few other things that might be altered very easily. The linoleum that is put on the floor is very improper material to have in a hospital, especially on the surgical side. It does not seem to me to have been lifted and cleaned for some time, and it is much frayed at the edges, and, in fact, is in a condition to receive germs. Again, the floor of the operating-room is very improperly laid with linoleum, which here also forms a sort of germ-trap. These are small details, improper in themselves, which ought and can be easily remedied. Dr. Daniel Colquhoun sworn and examined. 4989. Mr. White.] What is your title ?—Doctor of Medicine of the London University; Member of College of Surgeons, London; and Member of the Eoyal College of Surgeons, London. 4990. Are you duly registered as a medical practitioner in New Zealand ? —I am. 4991. Are you a lecturer at the Otago University?— Yes. 4992. In connection with the Medical School? —Yes. lam Lecturer on the Principles and Practice of Medicine. My appointment dates from 1884. I began lecturing in 1885. 4993. How long have you been practicing in Dunediu ?—Since June, 1884—six years ago. 4994. You are a member of the Honorary Medical Staff of the Dunedin Hospital ? —I was until last year. 4995. You are not now on the staff?— No. 4996. Will you give us the dates of your connection with the staff?— Prom about July, 1884, to December, 1889. 4997. You have cases in the Dunedin Hospital, have you not?—l have beds for the purpose of university teaching; but lam not a member of the staff. 4998. How many beds have you ? —I think I have a dozen. 4999. In the medical wards ?—Yes. 5000. I have no doubt you have read in the newspapers what has been going on about the Hospital? —I have. 5001. I want you to give the Commissioners your opinion as to the suitability of the Hospital — that is, as to the suitability of the building—the walls, floors, and so on. Take the structure of the building itself first: what is your opinion as to the structural suitability or otherwise of the building for an hospital?—l do not think it is a suitable building.