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Colonel HUGHES.-He does not assist in the Medical Department?
Dr. ATKINSON-Only on a few occasions when he bas answered urgent calls at the Gaol.
The Chairman.-How much of your time is taken up daily, say, at the Govern- ment Civil Hospital? I mean your executive work at the Hospital looking after the wards and patients.
Dr. ATKINSON.-It is difficult to answer this question; in addition to the admin- istrative work the ward work occupies me three or four hours daily, there is in addition operative work and urgent calls night and day.
Colonel HUGHES.-What assistance have you now?
Dr. ATKINSON.-One Assistant Surgeon-Dr. BELL..
Dr. STEDMAN.-There is a Second Medical Officer for the Port arranged for, is there not?
Dr. ATKINSON-Yes.
Dr. STEDMAN.-That has been definitely settled?
Dr. ATKINSON.—Yes, the Government have recommended the appointment of an additional Health Officer for the Port, but the Secretary of State has not made the appointment yet.
Colonel HUGHES.-The Colonial Government has sanctioned another Assistant Surgeon for the Medical Department, has it not?
Dr. ATKINSON.—Yes, but that has nothing to do with the additional Medical Officer of the Port.
Dr. STEDMAN. They have sanctioned another Health Officer for the Port?
Dr. ATKINSON. —Yes, one has been sanctioned, but we have not been informed that he has been approved by the Secretary of State.
Colonel HUGHES.--The Assistant Surgeon is sanctioned ?
Dr.. ATKINSON. The Assistant Surgeon is sanctioned; the Second Health Officer is recommended, and not sanctioned.
Dr. STEDMAN.—I was going to ask about the Second Health Officer of the Port. Seeing that one man does all the work now with a great deal of private practice besi·les, if there were two would not the Second Officer be able to look to what is required in the Medical Department at Kowloon ?
Dr. ATKINSON.-I don't think so, because it is the intention of the Government to have a Medical inspection of all ships entering the Harbour, and if this is the case there must always be a Doctor on duty afloat from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It was pointed out that if this was so it would be absolutely necessary to have two Officers appointed for this work.
Colonel HUGHES.-What are Dr. JORDAN's duties? For instance, supposing a Canadian Pacific Steamer comes in?
Dr. ATKINSON. He has to visit every ship which arrives from infected Ports, he or his deputy also boards every steamer which arrives, but not immediately on arrival; there is other work as he has to examine all emigrants that leave the Colony for certain ports and that keeps him occupied two days a week for some hours.
Colonel HUGHES.-Examining them what for?
Dr. ATKINSON. To see if they are suffering from any infections disease or not. Colonel HUGHES.-How long does that occupy him ?
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