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Colonel HUGHES.-That establishment is adequate?
Dr. ATKINSON.-Yes.
Colonel HUGHES.-Does not require any increase?
Dr. ATKINSON.-No.
The Chairman.-Or decrease?
Dr. ATKINSON.—There is one decrease, the Matron of the Female Venereal Wards; I lately recommended this to the Government, as the Contagious Diseases Act has been repealed, we have no further use for her as there are no patients in the Venereal Wards, or next to none.
Colonel HUGHES.-That is the only one?
Dr. ATKINSON.-Yes.
Colonel HUGHES.-It is an adequate staff of subordinates, servants, etc.?
Dr. ATKINSON.-Yes.
Dr. STEDMAN. When Dr. AYRES was Colonial Surgeon, didn't he visit the subor- dinate officers who were living about the town?
Dr. ATKINSON.-Yes, but the work of the Department has very much increased since then, and he did no Hospital work.
Dr. STEDMAN.-If you were freed from your present duties at the Hospital and were only consultative Medical Officer to the Government Civil Hospital, do you think you
would have time to visit the subordinates about the town as well as to attend to your duties as administrative officer?
Dr. ATKINSON.-I don't think this is a duty that should be expected of the Head of the Medical Department.
Colonel HUGHES.-What work is done at the Gaol?
Dr. ATKINSON.-There is the general examination of prisoners who come in, stating what work they are fit to do, and as to their ability to stand certain punishments, &c.
Colonel HUGHES.-Just like a Military prison ?
Dr. ATKINSON.-There are between 500 and 600 inmates, and once a week the Medical Officer has to make a general inspection, and he is also liable to be called to attend the Prison Office and to be sent for in cases of urgency.
Colonel HUGHES.-You, as Principal Civil Medical Officer could not relieve him at all?
Dr. ATKINSON.-No, I think there is quite enough work otherwise for the Prin- cipal Civil Medical Officer.
Dr. STEDMAN.-Could you as Principal Civil Medical Officer do the necessary supervision of the Tung Wah Hospital? That does not seem to be very heavy.
Colonel HUGHES.-It is only inspection?
Dr. ATKINSON.-It is only the ordinary inspection that the Principal Civil Medi- cal Officer is expected to exercise over all the hospitals in the Colony.
The Chairman.—You are responsible for Kennedy Town Hospital ?
Dr. ATKINSON.—Yes.
Colonel HUGHES.—Outside the Hospitals what administrative work do you per-
form?
Dr. ATKINSON.—None as Principal Civil Medical Officer.
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