P.S.-Since writing my minute of the 12th ultimo I have had time to more com pletely examine the evidence taken by the Commission and I am unable to find that testimony has been given before them to justify the opinion expressed in paragraph 131; or the opinion expressed in the latter part of the 2nd paragraph of paragraph 242; or the sweeping state- ments contained in paragraphs 252 and 294; while paragraph 257 was evidently written before the Principal Civil Medical Officer made certain explanations at a subsequent Meeting of the Commission which are referred to in paragraph 266 (see p.p. 2843-2856 of Evi- dence). These explanations should be read before the statements in paragraph 257 are accepted. With regard to paragraph 316 there is no evidence that the advice of the Medical Officer of Health has been over-ridden by the Principal Civil Medical Officer, while the Stand- ing Orders will show that the duties of all the Officers of the Board are clearly defined and regulated (paragraph 324) and there is no evidence that the status of the Secretary has been ignored by his superior Officers (paragraph 351). It is to be noticed that in none of the paragraphs referred to with the exception of paragraph 257, have the Commissioners given any reference to the evidence on which they base their opinions or statements.
15.5.07.
F. H. M.