Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 136

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Appendix V.

Appendix VI.

(6)

The next document is the Principal Civil Medical Officer's Report of the 18th Sept- ember, referring to C.O.D. 259 of the 7th of August and dealing fully with the needs of the Medical Department.

The Chairman.-I think we need not enter into the statements relating to the pay of Medical Officers here and in the Straits Settlements, as that matter does not concern

Do you wish to go into it?

us.

Colonel HUGHES-I don't think there is any necessity to do so.

The Chairman. We now come to a paper containing an application for house allowance in lieu of free quarters by the Principal Civil Medical Officer, dated the 19th of September. Do you wish to have it read?

Colonel HUGHES.-No.

Mr. SHARP.-No.

A Minute was then read, dated 19th September and written by the Colonial Secretary to His Excellency, on the subject of Colonial Office Despatch 259 (Appendix IV) and the Principal Civil Medical Officer's Report of the 18th September (Appendix V), and proposing that a Committee should be formed to enquire into the needs of the Medical Department.

Appendix VII.

This was followed by His Excellency's Minute of the 20th of September in reply to the Colonial Secretary, and going into the subject matter of the Principal Civil Medical Officer's Report of the 18th September (Appendix V).

Appendix,VIII.

The Chairman.-Finally, there is a letter No. 331 of the 21st October (C.S.O. 3203) from the Principal Civil Medical Officer requesting that the Female Venereal Ward be converted into a Ward for Destitute Chinese and Indians and that the Matron of the Female Venereal Ward be pensioned off. We had better read it though I don't know why it is included. I don't see that it comes within the scope of the enquiry at all. The only other business that remains to-day is to make some arrangement as to what procedure this Committee ought to adopt. I propose that, when we meet again shortly, we ask Dr. ATKINSON to give evidence, and, later on, Dr. BELL. Dr. THOMSON is away.

Our enquiries will be limited to the number of Medical men wanted in the Colony, exclusive of the Sanitary Department.

Colonel HUGHES.-I understood the Colonial Secretary to say the Sanitary Depart- ment was to be included.

The Chairman. What is Dr. CLARK ? Is he the Medical Officer of Health ?

Colonel HUGHES.-Yes.

The Chairman.-Then the business resolves itself into two things-the position of the Principal Civil Medical Officer, and what his duties ought to be, and the number of Assistants he ought to have under him. We have to give our opinion as to whether be is to be an Administrative Officer, and have control of all the other Medical Officers, or not, and to state what his duties should be.

Dr. STEDMAN. We shall have to have Dr. CLARK's views on the Sanitary Board. Colonel HUGHES.-- Why?

Dr. STEDMAN. Because his views on the matter ought to be considered.

Mr. RICHARDSON.-He can state whether he thinks the Sanitary Board ought to be subordinate or not.

The Chairman.--We will ask him to attend..

It was agreed to meet again on Wednesday afternoon at four o'clock, and to request Dr. ATKINSON to attend.

The Committee then adjourned.