Hon. Col. Secy.,
Enclosure 6.
620
In a Colony whose superficial area is small this question presumably does not often arise. It is one with which I am familiar myself. On the one hand we expect and get from the British Medical Service a devotion to duty and a readiness to expose themselves to any amount of fatigue, discomfort and danger at the call of duty, to which I can myself bear most ample and striking testimony. On the other hand cases may occur where a man himself becomes unduly alarmed, or his friends do, and a Doctor is needlessly summoned. Such a case as the one before me, is not in my estimation a matter of a fee of a few dollars. It is whether or not Dr. Thomson fell short of the high standard and reputation we have learnt to expect from his profession. Was it his duty to have gone in the circumstances related, or if physically unable to go ought to have consulted Dr. Aubrey and if necessary have requested him to go. On such a question my proper adviser, and the man who would naturally have the good reputation of his profession most keenly at heart, is the P.C.M.O. and I refer the question to him for serious and thoughtful consideration.
As regards Dr. Thomson having had no food I concur with you that he should have provided himself. As regards his charge of "grave discourtesy" on the part of Mr. Eves I cannot agree with him. Mr. Eves viewing the matter as serious took the steps he did, without intending to interfere with Dr. Thomson's intention of going to Taipo next day.
As regards the payment of the fee, this matter may be left till I receive Dr. Atkinson's reply. (I infer from his minute of 23rd September, 1907, that Dr. Thomson's action did not commend itself to him.)
24th September, 1907.
(Sgd.) F.D.L.