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Mr. THURBURN.-There are some coming on now, and the Government idea is to help them to set up in practice by putting them in charge of these dispensaries. They would be supplied with instruments because they are too poor to get them for them- selves; and it is thought by doing this that a knowledge of Western methods would be spread amongst the Chinese.
Dr. CANTLIE.-There is another use intended for them; it is thought they might be able to report cases of disease around them. That is the chief reason and that would be their chief use to the Government. Supposing these men were put in charge of a number of dispensaries, they might be very intelligent sanitary officers and by reporting cases of disease could prevent an epidemic.
Dr. AYRES.-You might give them some encouragement to settle down and give them a start by setting them up in dispensaries, but I do not think anything would be gained.
Mr. THURBURN.-You think a Chinaman is not capable of being a doctor ?
Dr. AYRES.-I do not think they could be relied upon for surgical cases judging from my experience of young Baboos in India. I have already given my opinion about these dispensaries, and I got Mr. Crow to draw up a report from the dispenser's point of view; the matter is purely one of expense and must rest with the Government. I think the Government might very well encourage these young men to set up in private practice, but I do not think you will get them to settle down after five years' education and accept a salary of $30 a month.
Dr. CANTLIE. Dr. AYRES thinks it would be good enough to have these men on a small salary to report cases of disease in the neighbourhood.
Dr. AYRES.-You might even assist them with a small amount of medicine, but if you are going to let them handle big amounts you will want somebody to look after them.
Dr. PRESTON.-For a "squeeze" they would suppress the information?
Dr. CANTLIE.—But if you have to rely on a European you will not get any informa- tion at all. You must take your chance of "squeezing."
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-There are one or two points which have been overlooked. We are to enquire whether the scheme suggested by the Acting Superintendent of the Civil Hospital for training nurses locally is possible or desirable.
Dr. AYRES.-The reason why that suggestion is made is because when these ladies were engaged by the Secretary of State strict orders were laid down that they were to have six months' leave at the end of six years and their passages paid home and out again. That is their agreement and it is insisted upon. I am sorry to say there is always an occasional sick one amongst them; there has been one laid up for ten days or a fortnight. If we give leave we must have some assistance to the other Sisters who remain, and it is proposed that some of these Eurasian and Chinese girls might train as nurses so that the Sisters may get their leave; otherwise we will have to apply to the Secretary of State and get two additional Sisters to act while the others are on leave.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-What is the position proposed to be given to these Eurasians? Are they to be considered to be on an equal footing with the same privileges as the Sisters?
Dr. AYRES.-They would be only superior amahs. It is proposed to get them into training, there is no end of wants-nurses are wanted outside and they might be useful for outside work. They would be got from Miss JOHNSTONE's school. If got them, it would be very much for the benefit of the Colony.
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