THIS DAY.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3654, 11 September 1880, Page 2

THIS DAY.

Tho investigation commenced to-day at 10 o'clock

Mrs Power made a number of charges against Cain, the wardsman, of cruelty and inattention and of using bad language to the patients. She remembered him one time throwing*a blood-stained rag near the pastry she was cooking. Cain and Mr Aitken denied the charges intoto.

W., Mitchell, a patient, deposed that Cain had once knocked him down and swore at him, and when he called out for assistance he paid no attention.

At the request of Mrs Power, H. Menary, a patient, was called and deposed that he knew of no acts of cruely or inattention on the part of Cain. Mr and Mrs Reddish attended to give evidence on behalf of Mr Aitken, but Dr Skae considered it unnecessary, as they had handed in a letter containing what they wished to say. Mr E. Honiss gave evidence concerning the steps taken by the committee to investigate the charges and the general management of the institution.

Mrs Power denied that Mr Aitken had ever given one of his fowls to her to cook for the patients. • ,=

Mr Mulligan remembered Mrs Power showing him a blood stained shirt which Bhe said Cain had placed near the pastry she was making. She also said the officers were annoying her. *He was a member of the investigation committee, and frequently visited the Hospital at unusual hours, and found everything going on straight. _Mr F. C. Dean deposed to frequently visiting the hospital at the time Laurie was there with his broken leg and found the bedding filthy and vermin crawling in Laurie's bed. He asked to give evidence i at the Committee's investigation, but was unable to attend, and when he tendered his evidence in writing to one of the Committee, it was refused. Mr Honiss challenged Mr Dean's statements. Mr Aitken said the sheets and blankets weie changed as often as possible. There [ sometimes were stains on the bedding which could not be avoided. Mr Laurie deposed that while in the hospital he received every attention, but the first day he was in the hospital the soup was sour, and he always got his food from home afterwards. Mrs Power was cook at the time. His bedding was clean but old, and if he found fault with it at any time a change was brought.