THE WELLINGTON LUNATIC ASYLUM INQUIRY.
[By Telegraph.] Wellington. March. 18 The Asylum enquiry was proceeded with to-day. It commenced by the continuation of Whitelaw’s cross-ex-amination. Upon entering the box Whitelaw volunteered the statement that certain entries in the medical register, relative to the treatment of a patient named M’lnlosh, bad been made after thedates under which the} 7 appear in the register. The Commission asked if they were made since the inquiry commenced. Whitelaw, after hesitating, said « About that time.” The admission created some sensation. Whitelaw also admitted that he had taken an attendant named Dalson from her ordinary work and sent her to follow his mother about the streets to watch her movements. The reason alleged was that she had twice fallen in the streets. Witness was cross • examined at - length as to kicking a female patient, but he would not admit more than that he hod ‘‘ pushed ’ her with his foot on the hip, in order to get her into a cell, as she resisted by pushing against the door. He did not remember ordering a male attendant to enter a female ward and carry a naked female patient across the yard, but would not deny that such a thing might have occurred. He had brought recommendations from Admiral Hope to Dr bkae, and from Lord Kinnaird to the Marquis of Nonnanby. Warder Duggan denied having knocked down and kicked Schultze. He admitted giving patients slaps with his hands, but he had never committed any violence. He had assisted to carry a naked female across a yard, but she had a blanket on. He had never taken patients by the ears and knocked their heads against the walls. From the evidence of Duggan it appears they had free and unrestrained entrance at all times to the female ward.
reason alleged was that she had twice fallen in the streets. Witness was cross • examined at - length as to kicking a female patient, but he would not admit more than that he hod ‘‘ pushed ’ her with his foot on the hip, in order to get her into a cell, as she resisted by pushing against the door. He did not remember ordering a male attendant to enter a female ward and carry a naked female patient across the yard, but would not deny that such a thing might have occurred. He had brought recommendations from Admiral Hope to Dr bkae, and from Lord Kinnaird to the Marquis of Nonnanby. Warder Duggan denied having knocked down and kicked Schultze. He admitted giving patients slaps with his hands, but he had never committed any violence. He had assisted to carry a naked female across a yard, but she had a blanket on. He had never taken patients by the ears and knocked their heads against the walls. From the evidence of Duggan it appears they had free and unrestrained entrance at all times to the female ward. Dr Skae, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums, was next called. He said, generally speaking, he had been well satisfied with the result of his inspection. He had seen Schultze, but from personal knowledge could not say much about his case. He remembered Blackmore making a complaint relative to having seen a patient ill-treated. When he saw Blackmore, the latter said that on witnessing the occurrence his first impulse was to write to the Press. Blackmore’s statement that he (witness) implored him not to do so, as it would create a scandal, was untrue. Several portions of Blackmore’s evidance taken at the present enquiry were now read to Mr Skae, who characterised them as more or less untrue. The patient MTntosh, had had opportunities of complaining to witness, but had never done so, except the general complaint about being restrained. M‘lntosh was discharged by the Colonial Secretary, on Dr France’s recommendation. The Marquis of Hormanby had nothing to do with his release. His aid -de - camp, Captain Maling, calling on witness on behalf of the Governor to make enquiries about Mrs MTntosh, evidently with a charitable object. The asylum was much overcrowded when Whitelaw took charge. Two blocks, each for fifty patients had since been built. To the Commissioners—ln his opinion, there had hitherto been too much seclusion and restraint, and too little skill and vigilance.. He was aware that two patients, Hall and By an, had been kept since Christmas night and day in straight jackets, and that Hall had been, with slight intermission, kept in a straight jacket since last August. He disapproved of this, but had no power other than as an ofßcial visitor. Whitelaw represented Hall and Eyan as extremely violent. In a well-regulated English Asylum the attendants take more trouble than in the colony. The amount of restraint and seclusion in this Asylum were due mainly to faulty con. strnction, facility of escape, and the difficulty of obtaining good attendiants. Another reason for excessive restraint in New Zealand is that escaping patients get into the bush and are not heard of again, whereas in England their recapture is a matter of certainty. (The Chairman called Dr Skae’s attention .to the regulation expressly prohibiting attendants to enter the female wards on any pretext.) He considered it a very good, one, and thought it stupid to allow male warders to have keys of the female wards. The Commissioners adjourned till Monday, when Dr Skae’s cross-exami-nation will commence.—'“ Times ” Correspondent.
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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2495, 19 March 1881, Page 3
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895THE WELLINGTON LUNATIC ASYLUM INQUIRY. South Canterbury Times, Issue 2495, 19 March 1881, Page 3
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