H.—311:.

T. E. INGLIS.j 1

97

To Dr. Keller (through Commissioner).] I think it was early in the morning that Dr. Scott rang me up. I suppose he did so because I was president of the medical association. He asked my ruling as to whether it was an emergency case or not. You came under the classification of practitioners that we did not wish to consult with —except in emergency cases. As far as I have said, all that you have said with regard to the matter of Dr. Scott and yourself is true with the exception of the statement that she was not met in consultation because she was not a member of the British Medical Association. A certain number of practitioners were imported or otherwise obtained by the friendly societies to take the medical work at a lower rate than we thought right and had been accustomed to. I know that Dr. Keller was practising in New Zealand long before that. Dr. Keller's husband took up w 7 ork tinder the friendly societies. Dr. Keller consulted with her husband and the rest of the practitioners to which I have referred. To Mr. Mays.] The case referred to by Dr. Keller was not an urgent case in the way it was put to me by Dr. Scott. I have never allowed the relations between the members of the British Medical Association and the doctors to which I have referred to interfere with me in my public positions — that is, as an honorary surgeon at Auckland Hospital and as Medical Officer at St. Helens. [Mrs. Nicol states that she unreservedly withdraws the imputation conveyed in her question to Dr. Savage as to a nurse suffering from a discharge.] Inquiry adjourned sine die pending the decision of the Supreme Court on question to be submitted thereto.

Wednesday, 26th March, 1913. All parties present. Commissioner read letter dated the 7th March received by him from the secretary of the Auckland United Friendly Societies. Mrs. Nicol asks Commissioner to call the persons mentioned in the letter —viz., Messrs. Nerheny, Beehan, McLeod, and Gray—as witnesses. Mr. Skelton states that, having given the matter very careful consideration, he admits that the dispute between the friendly societies and the British Medical Association is not a matter into which the Commissioner can be asked to inquire. The Commissioner ruled that he could not inquire into the dispute between the friendly societies and the British Medical Association, but that the letter received by him would be forwarded with the exhibits and his report. Mr. Mays handed in the order of the Supreme Court on the special case which had been stated by the parties. Mr. Mays contends that, apart from the decision of the Supreme Court, the Hon. the Minister objects on the grounds of public policy to the case-books and charts being inspected by any one except the Commissioner. Agreed by all parties that Mrs. Nicol's address on the evidence be now taken, pending furtherdiscussion re inspection of case-books and charts. Mrs. Nicol commenced her address. Adjourned to 27th March, 1913.

Thursday, 27th March, 1913. Mrs. Nicol's address continued and concluded. Mr. A. E. Skelton addressed the Commissioner at considerable length, especially on the Chamber lain case. After discussion Mr. Skelton says that he does not now press his application to inspect the casebooks and charts, but requests the Commissioner to carefully inspect them with a view of noting the number of cases in which there was a i uptured perinaeum sutured by the Matron, &c. Inquiry concluded.

13— H. 31b.