TUNG WA HOSPITAL COMMISSION.
Meeting held on Friday, 14th February, 1896.
Present:-Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary (President).
Honourable A. M. THOMSON, Acting Colonial Treasurer.
Honourable C. P. CHATER.
Honourable Dr. Ho KAI
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.
See Appen- dix I.
u.
THE PRESIDENT read the Commission of His Excellency the Governor constituting the Committee, and also a form of summons for witnesses drawn up by the Crown See Appen- Solicitor. He added—I thought it would be well to have this form drawn up so that there could be no misunderstanding, and, as you will see by the wording of the Commis- sion, we have power to compel the attendance of witnesses, and, if they fail to attend, we have power to punish them for contempt.
Dr. Ho KAI-Is that stated clearly in the summons? Because some witnesses might receive a summons and refuse to attend, not knowing it was compulsory or that he was rendering himself liable to punishment.
THE PRESIDENT-Is it usual to inform the witness in such forms that if he does not attend he will be punished?
Dr. Ho Kai said it was stated in the usual subpoenas ordering the attendance of witnesses at the Courts, and, after some conversation, it was agreed to remit the sum- mons back to the Crown Solicitor for the insertion of a clause informing witnesses that failure to attend on a summons was contempt, and rendered them liable to punishment.
THE PRESIDENT-In considering the question as to how we should conduct our inquiry, it occurred to me it would be a most useful thing to endeavour to get together the papers on record in the Colonial Secretary's Office, showing the reasons for the establishment of the Tung Wa Hospital. I have collected these papers, and I propose to have them printed without delay so that the members of the Commission may have See Appen- the opportunity of reading them and keeping a copy in their possession.
Mr. WHITEHEAD-That is very proper. Would you
have a copy
of the Ordinance See Appen- printed at the same time? The Ordinance embodies the incorporation of the Hospital' and doubtless shows the reasons and objects in view justifying its establishment.
THE PRESIDENT-The Ordinance states in the preamble "Whereas it has been pro- posed by the said Governor His Excellency SIR RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL to found a Chinese hospital for the care and treatment of indigent sick to be supported by voluntary contributions." But you will see in the papers I am going to have printed, with as little delay as possible, the exact reason for establishing the Hospital. I think it is stated very clearly in those papers, and after the members have read them, they will have no difficulty in seeing the reason. I have also here, in Chinese and English, a copy of the Regulations of the Hospital, and before it is decided whether we should print them or not I will circulate them amongst the members. Mr. THOMSON has already seen them.
Dr. Ho KAI-Are these Regulations made by the Tung Wa?
diz u
dis un, page XLVII.
THE PRESIDENT-Yes; and not disapproved by the Governor. It will hasten matters if Dr. Ho KAI reads the Chinese copy while Mr. CHATER and Mr. WHITEHEAD read the English. There are some despatches from the Secretary of State to the See Appen- Governor with reference to the Hospital..
dix u.