H.— 31a

2

(6.) Mrs. Hazel Montgomery Morison, who died at Kelvin Maternity Hospital on or about the thirteenth day of September, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-three, and whose cause of death was certified as anaemia, thrombosis-veins, coronary embolism, heart-failure. (c.) Mrs. Doris Elsie Jones, who died at the Auckland Hospital on or about the twenty-fifth September, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-three, and whose cause of death was certified as septic puerperal uterus. (d.) Evelyn Maude Dacre* who died at Mater Misericordia Hospital on or about the tenth October, one thousand nine hundred and twenty - ■ three, and whose cause of death was certified as septicaemia. (e.) Mrs. Emma Caroline Ada Delamore, who died in the Kelvin Maternity Hospital on the nineteenth November, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-three, and whose cause of death was certified as puerperal fever ten days, pneumonia three days, heart-failure. (/.) Mrs. Muir, who developed a disease diagnosed as septicaemia while under treatment in the Kelvin Maternity Hospital on or about the ninth November, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-three, and who subsequently recovered. (2.) Whether any other persons who were patients in the Kelvin Maternity Hospital during the year one thousand nine hundred and twenty-three died or became ill during or following confinement, and, if so, what were the causes of such deaths or illnesses. (3.) Whether the steps taken in regard to the diagnosis and treatment of these cases at the hands of the medical practitioners and nurses in charge at the Kelvin Maternity Hospital were proper and sufficient. (4.) Whether adequate precautions were taken by the medical practitioners and nurses in charge of such cases at the Kelvin Maternity Hospital, and by officers of the Department of Health, to prevent infection in each of such cases and to limit its spread to other cases. (5.) Whether any further precautionary measures, whether usual or not, were desirable in such or will be desirable in similar cases in future. (6.) Generally to investigate and report upon all matters concerning these cases with a view to the future safeguarding of the public health, particularly in the treatment of maternity cases ; and to make such recommendations as to additions or amendments to the existing legislation, statutory regulations, or departmental instructions affecting licensed maternity hospitals, and generally the prevention of puerperal septicaemia or like diseases, as may seem desirable to the Commission as a result of this investigation. And, with the like advice and consent, I do further appoint you, the said Frederick Earl, to be Chairman of the said Commission. And, for the better enabling you, the said Commission, to carry these presents into effect, you are hereby authorized and empowered to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents, at such times and places in the said Dominion as you deem expedient; with power to adjourn from time to time and place to place as you think fit, and to call before you and to examine on oath, or otherwise as may be allowed by law, such person or persons as you think capable of affording you information on the subjects of this Commission ; and you are also hereby empowered to call for and examine all such books, papers, plans, documents, or records as you deem likely to afford you any information on the subject-matter of the inquiry hereby directed to be made, and to -inquire of and concerning the premises by all lawful means whatsoever. And, using all diligence, you are required to report to me the result of your inquiry, with any recommendations you think fit to make in respect of the matters and things inquired into by you, under and by virtue of these presents, under your hands and seals, not later than the thirty-first day of March, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-four, and your opinion as to the aforesaid matters.