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[j. R. PURDY.

513. Did she in cases determine for herself whether a patient was fit for removal from Berhampore Hospital to Wellington Hospital: for instance, who determined whether Colley was in a fit condition to be removed? —She would, because any patient is in a fit condition to be removed in a proper ambulance. 514. Did you give her any general directions on which she was to shape her conduct in these matters?— Yes; I told her to use her judgment as a nurse, and if she saw a patient not doingwell not to wait till I came, but to at once send the patient to the Wellington Hospital. 515. The rules for her guidance were of a general character I—Yes. 516. Did you have any system of obtaining written reports from her daily as to the condition of those patients who were in the ward? —No, because it was not necessary. There was never a man in there practically for twenty-four hours without being seen. 517. Mr. Gray.] When did y 7 ou first observe a case of serious illness at Berhampore? —Well, I do not think we had what you would call any serious illness at Berhampore. 518. Would the man who was first removed to Wellington Hospital be the first serious case? —Yes. 519. That would be about the 2nd June?—McFarlane was removed on the 2nd June. He was admitted on the 30th May suffering from measles. Kennedy was admitted on the 29th May, and sent to the Wellington Hospital on tlie sth June because he was not doing well. They thought he was developing pneumonia. Kennedy, I think, was the man that either Dr. Clay or Dr. Elliott saw. 520. Then we can take it that MoFarlane's case was the first serious one?— Yes. 521. Then for two months the patients had been doing remarkably well?— Yes. 522. Then one case was transferred to Wellington Hospital on the day 7 you left for the South, the 2nd June, the second case transferred on the sth June, during your absence, and the third man transferred on the 10th June?— Yes. 523. During this time you were on duty at the medical headquarters?— Yes, every day. 524. Were you available at any time?— Yes, any time during the day or night. 525. You live at the Hutt?—Yes, and came in when necessary at night. 526. Wore you ever summoned at headquarters at daytime to go from the headquarters?— No. 527. You considered from the nature of the disease and the condition of the patients that your visits were quite frequent enough?— Yes, I am quite sure they were. Everything pointed to it. It is what has been done in civil life. As soon as the rash goes off the doctor does not go back, but says, " If the patient does not do well let, me know." 528. You did not treat it as a serious disease although it is infectious?—l considered that measles in a camp is a serious condition, and you want to keep them away from the camp; but there have been far worse epidemics in the colony 7. 529. When the disease is diagnosed and treatment, began, can the patient be as well looked after by a qualified nurse as by a medical man?—l think so; they do not need so much nursing. 530. Were the nurses and orderlies at the Berhampore Hospital competent?— The nurses at Berhampore Hospital were as good nurses as I have seen in my life; they were excellent. 531. And were the orderlies competent?— They were very good. 532. Are you able to say 7 that the men in tho hospital at Berhampore were properly' attended? —Yes, absolutely, and the results prove that. 533. Was any complaint ever made to y 7 ou on your visits by any patient about want of attention? —No; the only complaint I heard was that somebody stated that the men's linen was washed in the bath. I spoke to the sister about it, and she assured me it was absolutely untrue. 534. Who is the sister who would know? —Sister Edie. She went away. What gave rise to the matter was that they had a big tin tub in the bathroom; but the clothes were never washed in the bath itself, but in the tin tub in the bathroom. 535. How many 7 patients went through Berhampore?—l think about 219 in my time, 536. Having regard to the nature of the disease, you say that a nurse or even an orderlysergeant would be quite a capable judge of whether a patient should be removed to the Wellington Hospital for better accommodation and for closer treatment, ?—Yes, if an emergency arose it would be so; but it was hardly likely, because they were almost in direct touch with me any day. 537. Two or three cases did arise?— Yes, and they were removed to be on the safe side. 538. Was there any danger in their being removed in a proper ambulance? —No. 539. Even with a high temperature?— Even with a high temperature. 540. When you went away to Dunedin did you think it, necessary that, a medical man should be given direct control of that hospital with instructions to visit, it every day?—No, I did not, judging by the state of the patients and how many there would be there, especially as Sergeant Yallop was there and knew exactly what to do in an emergency. 541. When was the telephone installed? —I think somewhere about the 10th or 11th June, but I am not quite certain. 542. Do you think any inconvenience arose owing to the absence of the telephone?— Not to the patients, but one man complained. The caretaker was put on as an orderly. He proved very insubordinate, and there was a complaint made about him. over the telephone—about his general conduct, 543. Did any inconvenience arise owing to the absence of the telephone?—No, I do not think so. 544. The Chairman.] Did you keep a diary of your visits to Berhampore?—Yes, I kept an account of my visits there. I could tell every day I went. 545. You might let us know what days they were?— Yes. 546. I dare say we can get the temperature-book too?— Yes. 547. And any records there are there re Colley?—Yes.