THE HOSPITAL ENQUIRY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2160, 27 January 1881, Page 3

THE HOSPITAL ENQUIRY.

TO THB BDITOB OP THB PBHSB. Sib,— -I would be much obliged if you will kindly publish the enclosed literal translation of a letter from the Government. The translation is given in the very best style, and emanates from the Professor of Literature to the iEjculapiau Institute of Now Zealand. I regret extremely that there are ten doctors who have not signed the celebrated manifesto, for reasons best known to themselves. Still, I think they cannot help swallowing the sop thrown to Cerberus by the highest authority in the land. It is true that some of the doctors who were asked to sign the manifesto sent the canvassers away with a flea in each ear, and I sincerely trust that those poor fellows will not look a gift horse in the month, but accept with thanks the goods the gods have thrown them. These poor creatures are aware that they can do nothing more for themselves, or the Government either. Yours, &0., O. Nobtbom NobekditA. Sir, —I am directed by the Colonial Secretary to acknowledge the receipt of a letter dated January 6th, signed by yourself and a number of legally qualified men resident in the Christchurch health district, calling attention, &o.—you know the rest of the bunkum. I am directed to inform you and your colleagues that the gentlemen holding H.M. portfolios are perfectly aware of the fact that there are ten good men in Christchurch following the medical profession who have not signed your manifesto, ond they are also perfectly alive to the fact that in this effort the mad doctor was an utter failure.

The Secretary has also received a letter from the Ilospital Board, conveying an assurance that the recommendations of the doctor have arrived muoh too late, and that that intellectual body hove already given imperative instructions to sweep away these irregularities, which have descended from and caused by the previous Board, consisting of most of those very medical men who signed the manifesto.

His Royal Highness also directs me to state that he has also received a complete, able, exhaustive, scientific, and professional reply from the Hospital staff against the Judgment and private opinion of the Commission. The whole matter has received the most careful consideration and attention of the gentlemen holding the portfolios above mentioned, and they farther direct me to inform you that at this late stage of the proceedings they are bound to agree with the report of their commissioner, although it is against the weight of evidence'and scientific and professional autboritiea. They regret extremely that the present Hospital Staff are able and better men than one commissioner, as has been clearly and conclusively demonstrated by their convincing and authoritative reply. The grounds stated by them in their protestations are most lucid and uncontrovertible.

Whatever our private opinions may be as to i the disappointments suffered by the di-affeoted gentlemen belonging to the medical profession, and however acutely they must feel it, as no doubt they do, at their own discomfiture, and the placing of the present Hospital Staff in their right position for the next twelve months, yet wo must leave the matter as it stands at the present. The portfolio gentlemen further direct me to inform you that they are happy to state that it is entirely out of their power to either interfere with this fearless Board or the able Hospital Staff. In view, therefore, of these facts, and considering that during the last three or four years of the temporary condition of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and E ending legislation in the forthcoming Parament of our adopted country, wo condole with you exceedingly, and cannot help affording those poor unfortunates connected with the medical profession this salvo. Seeing that all is over, I am directed to state that it is expected that the matter will end, seeing that they have moved and tried every imaginable method to gain their illegitimate ends. As a natural consequence, they have also lost the faith and confidence of that great Board sitting against tbs will of the people. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your moat obedient servant, Or. 3. RbpOOC.