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epidemic had broken out among these sailors or that the grounds
for the recommendation were insufficient. In either case a further
investigation appeared necessary to His Excellency. This investiga-
-tion was carried out by the Frincipal Medical Officer on the
Station assisted by two other Doctors with the result that one
sailor, reported to be seriously 11, was invalided. The state-
-ment by Lieutenant Skrydioff that this result was affected by
his personal relations with Captain Gibbs and the further state-
-ment contained in paragraph 15 of his letter appear to His Excel-
-lency as most improper ones to come from an Officer.
9.
Paragraphs 12 and 16. His Excellency does not
propose to enquire into the professional competency of the Mili- -tary Doctors which has been impugned by Lieutenant Skrydioff,
but is informed that the information asked for by that Officer as
stated in the 16th. paragraph of his letter was furnished some
time ago.
10.
Paragraphs 13 and 14. I enclose a statement
by Lieutenant-Colonel Josling with regard to the alleged incon-
-siderate treatment of Russian sailors in the Military Hospital.
Lieutenant Skrydioff's reasons for also depriving his men of the advantages of treatment in the Civil Hospital appear to his Excel-
-lency inadequate.
11.
Before causing a reply to Lieutenant
Sarydloff's letter to be communicated to that officer his Excel-
-lency will be glad to learn if you have any remarks to make with
regard to it.
i have etc.,
1.) T. Sercombe Smith,
Colonial Secretary.
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