Colonial Surgeon to that Principal Civil Medical Officer in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report of the Committee appointed to enquire into the Medical Department of this Colony, forwarded in my despatch No. 163 of the 18th May 1895. If this change is approved and D. Atkinson is appointed to succeed D. Ayres, it will not be necessary to appoint a Superintendent of the Civil Hospital, as the Medical Committee of Inquiry recommended—and in that recommendation I concur—that the Colonial Surgeon or Principal Civil Medical Officer should be the recognised head of the Medical staff proper; but should also perform the duties of the Superintendent of the Government Civil Hospital in so far that he should superintend and be responsible for the