(4)
Mr. WHITEHEAD-Recent despatches?
The President-Dealing with the history of the Tung Wa.
Mr. WHITEHEAD-What has led to the appointment of this Commission?
THE PRESIDENT-I think His Excellency the Governor deems it is necessary to ascertain whether the Hospital is fulfilling its object or not; and if it is, whether it is capable of improvement, seeing it has been established for twenty-six years; and if it is not fulfilling its object, what steps the Commission have to recommend with regard to it. As members well know, considerable attention has been called to the Hospital since the plague epidemic of 1894, and the Acting Colonial Surgeon frequently, during last year, called attention to its management. This and other matters have, I have no doubt, induced His Excellency to appoint this Commission.
Mr. WHITEHEAD-In what shape or form were these complaints made?
THE PRESIDENT—In reports. I think the best way would be to call the Acting Colonial Surgeon before us and ask him to produce his reports.
Mr. WHITEHEAD-Did previous Colonial Surgeons report from time to time upon the Tung Wa Hospital and its working?
THE PRESIDENT—There may possibly be reports by previous Colonial Surgeons, but in the papers I have been examining there is no general report on the Tung Wa Hospital; and from my own knowledge, extending over fifteen or sixteen years, I do not remember until recently any special report.
Dr. Ho KAI-I thought the Tung Wa was always allowed to work by itself, until last
year, without Government interference.
THE PRESIDENT-Inspections are now carried on daily by the Colonial Surgeon himself, but that has not always been the case.
Mr. WHITEHEAD-Is there no foreign doctor in attendance at the Tung Wa?
THE PRESIDENT-No.
Mr. WHITEHEAD-And never has been ?
The President-No. The Colonial Surgeon has powers to inspect conferred
PRESIDENT- on him by section 14 of Ordinance No. 3 of 1870, which says "The Hospital and all buildings and premises of the Corporation shall be open at all reasonable times to the inspection of the Registrar General, the Colonial Surgeon, and of any other person whom the Governor may appoint in that behalf." My predecessor, Dr. STEWART, visited it from time to time, and I have done so too; but we have never interfered with the medical or sanitary arrangements of the institution.
Mr. WHITEHEAD-Have the members of the Tung Wa made any application recently for any increased powers varying from what they have hitherto exercised?
THE PRESIDENT-Never.
Mr. WHITEHEAD-And the proposed inquiry does not emanate from its Directors and is not instituted in any way at their request or desire?
THE PRESIDENT-By no means.
Mr. WHITEHEAD-Is the Committee of the Tung Wa appointed annually?
THE PRESIDENT-Annually; and the names are published in the Gazette with a statement of the accounts of the Hospital.
Mr. WHITEHEAD--How are they elected?