(5).
Dr. AYRES. -All orders from the Government to him are sent through me; all reports he has to make in regard to cases on board ship are sent through me. He is under my orders. I give him his instructions. He is included in my department. Every dollar he expends, I have to know the why and the wherefore,
THE PRESIDENT.-Can you suggest any better arrangement than the present in connection with the Health Officer of the port?
Dr. AYRES.--What I have suggested covers that.
THE PRESIDENT.--Do you think it would be advisable to appoint a Medical Officer of Health to combine the duties of the port and the Colony?
Dr. AYRES. No.
Dr. CANTLIE.-Would he have enough to do without going afloat?
Dr. AYRES.-Yes; he would have to travel over the Peak Districts.
THE PRESIDENT.-If he had an Assistant Health Officer, could he combine the port and the Colony ?
Dr. AYRES.-I do not think the Health Officer of the port has anything to do with the Health Officer of the Board.
Dr. CANTLIE.--But practically you are the Health Officer of the Sanitary Board and all medical matters connected with the port go through you, and the system works well enough, does it not?
Dr. AYRES.--Suppose he is out looking after the shipping and something occurs on shore that requires inquiring into, everything would have to be delayed.
Dr. CANTLIE.--Unless he has an assistant.
Dr. AYRES.-One man could not do the work.
Dr. CANTLIE.-Would it be better to have two separate men with two separate appointments, or one man with an assistant ?
Dr. AYRES.-Two separate men.
THE PRESIDENT.-Is there enough work for the Health Officer of the port without private practice?
Dr. AYRES.—Dr. JORDAN could not do the private practice if he had not Dr. BELL'S assistance.
Mr. THURBURN.--Dr. BELL practically does the work of the port ?
Dr. AYRES.-Except the examination of emigrants, that Dr. JORDAN does himself and all cases of quarantine. Dr. BELL has of course assisted him; he is a perfectly competent officer.
Dr. PRESTON.-But it is purely a private arrangement. Dr. BELL is not recognised by the Government?
Dr. AYRES.-That is so.
Mr. THURBURN.-Is there any inconvenience to shipping by this arrangement ? Dr. AYRES.-I have never heard of any complaints forwarded to the Government. If a ship wants to see Dr. JORDAN, he goes. In all important questions, Dr. BELL reports to Dr. JORDAN and Dr. JORDAN goes at once himself.
THE PRESIDENT.-Will you tell us what arrangement could be made in case of the Hygeia being full of patients suffering from small-pox or cholera ?
Dr. AYRES. At present I have insisted on retaining Kennedy Station as an Epidemic Hospital.
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