J. S. ELLIOTT.]

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nection between the letter and the plan. I think it is most extraordinary to draw sweeping conclusions from a very casual look at the plan over a man's shoulder. 28. It was on the same occasion that the plan was produced?— The same afternoon and in the same room. 29. Not at the same time? —There was an interval of conversation: we met socially, not to discuss plans. 30. The Chairman.] The plan was brought out at an interval after you had seen the letter?— Yes. 31. Mr. Gray.] Had you anything to do with regard to that plan? —1 had nothing to do in regard to it. It had been sent to another military officer junior to me, Dr. Frengley, Mr. Morton, and Mr. Campbell, the Government Architect. 1 repudiate any responsibility for the plan. 32. But Dr. Frengley had no appointment as an officer? —He was on the Army List. 33. But he had no local rank? —He was on the Army List. 34. Did you ever make any inquiry about the plan?—l repudiate the suggestion that I should go round looking for this plan. 35. You knew from this letter that the plan had been prepared, and that it was intended to erect the hospital in accordance with the plan ?—I took that letter merely as a means to find out about the money, and that was what was in my mind; that the association was going to be consulted, and that there was no urgency, because the hospital has not been erected yet. 36. The Chairman.] Why do you say there could not have been any urgency —you are talking from a knowledge of what has happened since?—l have never been asked, anyhow, to take any bother about the plan. 37. Mr. Skerrett.] 1 understand you to say that the plan was produced at a casual social meeting at Dr. McGavin's house? —Yes; we did not meet for that purpose at all. 38. Was there such an examination of the plan at that meeting as to justify any person in supposing that a critical examination had been made for the purpose of approving the general scheme from the details on the plan?— No. 39. The Chairman.] Had you seen the prior plan on which this was said to be an improvement?—No; but I think that Major Holmes had a rough sketch of what he thought would be suitable, and I saw that, if that would be regarded as a plan. 40. Mr. Skerrett.] But that was only an unofficial thing?— Yes, it was only drawn in a rough way, with no detail. 41. The plan produced by Colonel Purdy was on tracing-paper? —Yes, I think so. 42. It was not on the ordinary stiff, plan paper?—l would not be certain. 43. You had no opportunity of submitting the plan to the Council of your association?— None whatever. 44. And in point of fact it never was submitted ? —No. 45. Do you know whether -the preceding plan had ever been submitted to the Council of your association? —It had not. [Colonel Purdy here made an explanatory statement, for which see his evidence.] Witness: May I say, sir, that my only reason for bringing this matter up now was that I did not want to involve the whole British Medical Association of New Zealand in a course of action of which they might not approve. 4-6. The Chairman.] I think it is quite clear that your memoranda were not intended to convey the approval of your association of the plans?—As I said, to my mind the object of the letter was to find out about the money, and not anything in connection with the plans. Colonel Purdy: I think the answer to that question was missed out altogether. The Chairman: Reading this letter there was no occasion for Dr. Elliott to express the opinion of the British Medical Association in regard to the plans, or to involve the approval of them by the association. Witness: That is so. The Chairman: This " Yes "is more opposite to the last paragraph than to the other. Witness: That is so. The Chairman: There is nothing in this letter expressing the approval of Dr. Elliott himself of the plans. Colonel Purdy: No. The Chairman: Except in so far as it might be gathered from the discussion you had together : your letter to the Adjutant-General does not make any reference to the approval of the plan? Colonel Purdy: That is so. 47. Mr. Salmond (to witness).] For what purpose do you think that plan was sent or produced to you with the letter ?—I cannot say for what purpose it would be sent to me in that way, because any opinion I might have would be valueless in a casual inspection of that kind. It never passed into my possession, more than into my hands to look at. 48. You did not understand that your approval was being asked for when you read the letter ? Is not that what the letter means ?—I should not have taken that impression out of it, and the help I got from Colonel Purdy did not lead in that direction. My recollection is that there was the statement that the new plan was better than the previous one, but I do not think it was put in the form of a request that the association should approve of it. 49. The Chairman.] Nor for further suggestions? —That is so. 50. Mr. Salmond.] You did not regard yourself as responsible for the matter at all?—No; I should have thought any direct interference with the plan would have been an intrusion on my part under the circumstances.