A COMPLAINT.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 209, 25 December 1869, Page 1 (Supplement)

A COMPLAINT.

To the Editor of the Marlborough Express.

Sir, —I respectfully beg the following lines of this note may be inserted in your newspaper. The subject that I will allude to is one of great importance to many individuals, as well as myself. The following is a specimen of the medical treatment that 1 received when dangerously ill : I came into Blenheim suffering from the pains of a scalded leg ; the same happened at Mr. Seymour’s station; I was in his employ. I was residing at Mr. J. Ewart’s Hotel, and I thank God and Mr. Ewart and friends for their kindness and attention to the afflicted position that I was in. I was seated, from which seat I fell on to the floor in a fit—one of a serious and dangerous character. Mr. Ewart sent a friend for Dr. Williams (he resides close to the house), and told him to tell him to come over and medically assist for the recovery of the sick man, and that he would pay him. After asking many questions from the messenger (who was Mr. Vincent Hewitt), he received the following answer from Dr. Williams, “No, I won’t come ; he is better dead than alive ; let him die there.” That was the answer he brought back. Mr. J. Ewart sent and acquainted Dr. Horn of my illness. He came and gave me medical relief and attention. I was in bed for more than a week, quite unable to take any bodily nourishment, and in an unsound state of mind. I have resided in Lyttelton, Port Cooper, and in Otago, and from each place 1 left with respect, and took the good will and friendship of the inhabitants of each district, I have had many years of the medical profession in Australia, the East Indies, and in ihe mutiny in the East Indies in 1857, and eight years a resident in New Zealand. And now the Government Doctor treats my ill and dangerous case as I have mentioned. Dear Sir, I hope that a reformation will occur. The same will be a moral lesson for myself. I hope so, and I remain respectfully your humble servant, John Greaves. [While publishing the above letter, it is but fair to Dr. Williams, to state that he denies the language attributed to him above, and says that his reply to the messenger was to the effect that if it was one of Mr. Ewarts’ family he would go over with pleasure, but had no intention of attending any of his drunken hangers-on ; he did not make any allusion to the death of the man, whose character was well known to him.— Ed. M.E.]