Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 135

( 5 )

COMMITTEE OF ENQUIRY

INTO THE ADEQUACY OF THE STAFF OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

OF THE COLONY.

FIRST MEETING.

Council Chamber.

Monday, 4th November, 1901.

PRESENT:

Deputy Inspector General DREW, R.N., (Chairman).

Colonel HUGHES, D.S.O., R.A.M.C.

Dr. F. O. STEDMAN, M.D., B.S., London.

C. S. SHARP, Esq.

K. L. RICHARDSON, Esq.

E. D. C. WOLFE, Esq. (Secretary).

The Chairman.-Gentlemen, I presume it is clear what the Committee has been appointed for. It is to look into the adequacy of the Medical Staff of the Colony. As the instructions were not very definite, I wrote to the Colonial Secretary, and he sent me Appendix 1 a letter which I have here (No. 2796 of the 31st October). Now what we are going to enquire into is: (1.) the numerical strength of the Staff of the Medical Department; and (2.) the position and the duties of the Principal Civil Medical Officer. I enquired whether we were to look into the question of salaries, and the Colonial Secretary replied in the negative. There are a lot of documents on the subject of the Medical Department which, I think, should be read. I will ask the Secretary to read them, with a view to leading up to the main questions.

The Secretary then read a letter dated the 6th of June from Dr. J. BELL, Acting Appendix II. Principal Civil Medical Officer, applying for another Assistant Surgeon. (No. 169).

The Chairman.-You had now better read this despatch from His Excellency to the Secretary of State.

Appendix III.

Appendix IV.

The Secretary then read despatch No. 218 of the 10th of June from His Excellency to the Secretary of State, forwarding the Acting Principal Civil Medical Officer's appli- cation, and recommending it for approval for reasons stated.

This was followed by Colonial Office Despatch No. 259 of the 7th August from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, approving of the appointment of a new Assistant Surgeon, who was to be appointed on a 3 years' agreement and not permanently.

The Chairman.--This Assistant Surgeon has now been permanently appointed, I understand. But still another Assistant Surgeon is required. (Vide Appendix V,

the Principal Civil Medical Officer's Report of the 18th September).

Colonel HUGHES.-Is that the Assistant Medical Officer of Health?

The Chairman.-No.

Mr. RICHARDSON.-Is he to do duty at the Hospital?

The Chairman.-I don't exactly know what his duties are to be. Dr. ATKINSON will be asked to furnish us with this information.

39

Page 135Page 136