742

thought he would pull himself together and conduct the

case properly and so did not interfere and next morning did not report him but reprimanded him severely.

As you no doubt know this is a mistake everyone makes

as one is so lo-the to ruin a young man especially a

medical man and one always hopes he will reform.

He did not and so was duly tried and con- victed by the Executive Council on my further reports.

I an now severely reprimanded and the reprimand

sent home because "in permitting Dr Laing to perform a serious operation involving life in the Maternity Hospital on the morning of the 9th May when you were

aware, according to your own statement that he was intoxicated you were guilty of a grave neglect of duty and incurred a serious responsibility. His Excellency is further at a loss to understand why you did not report Dr Laing's condition to Government next morning. Your (conduct has seriously shaken His Excellency's confidence (in your fitness for the important post you occupy and a (full report of the case with a copy of this letter will (be sent to the Secretary of State."

I have apologised and asked the Governor to re-consider the question of sending the reprimand (Marked A) to the Secretary of State, because

(1) I am over 20 years in practice without a mishap

18 years in this Colony.

(2) Nearly 10 years in Government employ during

which time I acted as head of the Medical

Department (Principal Civil Medical Officer), (3) It was the first time I saw the officer drunk

and I thought either he would pull himself

نے

together

1,

Page 750Page 751

Share This Page