Evidence P. 47.
[ xxxii]
since its incorporation in 1872. If no audit has ever been effected, I consider that one should now be commenced.
43. The history of the Institution conclusively demonstrates that the Registrar General's Department is in no way qualified to exercise an efficient supervision and the sole control over a hospital such as the Tung Wa. The Assistant Surgeon in the Government Medical Department in his evidence on 23rd April, 1896, said:--“ "At present the Colonial Surgeon has no power to give instructions or directions "to those in charge of the Hospital. All directions must be given to the Tung Wa "Directors through the Registrar General, but it does not follow they will be obeyed.” I am clearly of opinion that the Government should appoint in this behalf a duly qualified and suitable Medical Officer who shall be independent of the Registrar General, and required to report direct to the Government. In his evidence Surgeon-Colonel EvATT Evidence very pertinently remarks:-"The surgical cases need a trained Chinese Doctor, or a "very kind, sympathetic European surgeon who would win over the Chinese to his ways "and treatment, I believe the place could be gradually reformed, and if a Medical "Officer was made a member of the Chinese governing body he would gradually "explain to them what was needed-pave the way for reforms, and level the place up to
a better standard.”
P. 74.
CC
44. I recommend that Rules or Bye-laws for the proper and efficient working of the Tung Wa Hospital, referred to in paragraph 38 hereof, should be framed by the Colonial Medical Department, with the assistance of Surgeon-Colonel EVATT, Principal Army Medical Officer, and Dr. CLARK, Medical Officer of, Health of the Sanitary Board, and submitted to the Directors of the Hospital for their views, and afterwards submitted for report to this Commission before it is dissolved.
45. In conclusion, I feel it iny duty to call attention to the circumstance that the Chairman of this Commission, who has drawn up the majority report, is himself the Registrar General of the Colony, and that he has had, in his capacity of Chairman, to enquire into the working of an Institution, for the success or failure of which, during the last twenty-four years, his department was mainly responsible, and to suggest for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor that if the Registrar General's Department should be called on to furnish or should furnish any report on the subject of the Tung Wa Hospital for transmission to the Secretary of State, it may be made public with these papers.
I have the honour to be,
Your Excellency's
Most obedient Servant,
T. H. WHITEHEAD.