WELLINGTON LUNATIC ASYLUM INQUIRY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 358, 1 March 1881, Page 2

WELLINGTON LUNATIC ASYLUM INQUIRY.

STARTLING- DISCLOSURES. The own correspondent of the Otago Daily Times at Wellington telegraphed on Thursday as follows: — At the Lunatic Asylum inquiry soma further extraordinary disclosures were made. John Henry Whitelaw, superintendent of the Asylum, was examined by the complainant, J, H. Shaw :---Hesaid': I have been in the Asylum since June, 1877. Complainant : Were you engaged at Home, or did you coma out heseand p get. engaged in the Colony. -'-^lf Witness : I don't think that quostiro is a fair one. Mr Edwards : There is no reason why you should not answer it. • Witness : Well, I was not engaged " .\t Home. I was appointed in the v Colony by Dr Skae's recommendation I was not acquainted with Dr Skae at Home, and I am not related to him either by blood or marriage. Before I came to' this Colony I had a slight experience, of the class of duties I have been performing here. Complainant :"In what respect ? Witness : I refuse to answer. Comphinant : I insist on-your doing so. The Chairman (to witness) : Istrongly recommend you to consuli your counsel on this matter. Mr Edwards : And I recommend Mr Whitelaw to an?wer every question he is asked. If I hear a question which I consider improper I will raise in objection . The Chairman : A question of this sort would affect the Colonial Secretary, who made the appointment. If Mr Whitelaw was inexperienced the blame does not rest at his door, but at thatof those who appointed him. Witne ß s continued : Mrs Seager held the position of matron when 1 first took office. A month afterwards she left, and Mrs Cook, the head attendant, performed her duties. My mother assumed office a year afterwards, and held it till , the Ist inst. Her salary was L2OO per annum. She drew the money. Complainant: Did she get the money paid" to her at the Treasury, or through another person ? Witness : The cheques were sent to me, and I paid them over to the attendants and the matron. . - ' - Complainant 7 : How Hid you get the money ? Witness : By post, from the Treasury? Complainent • Did you sign any vouchors for your mother's salary ? Witness : Yes. Complainant : What did you sign ? Witness : H Settle. Complainant: You wrote your mother's name ? Witness : No, I didn't. My mother alvvas signs her name " Harriet Kettle ; I onlv wiote " H. Kettle." Complainant : You had your mother s authority for that ? Witness : Yes. -^ Complainant : In writing or Tsroally ? Witness : Verbally, ' -- "^g The Chairman : 'Will you tell Commissioners why she did not her own name. J* : Witness : At that time she was sutlering from contusion on the thigh, which laid her up. The paper was taken to her to sign, but she. wfs unable to do so owing to nervousness. It was then arranged between between my mother and I that I should take charge of the money. This was the first month she assumed office as matron. Tliat arrange*. insnl ha? been carried out ever since.