a—No. 3

40

EEPOET OE COMMISSIONEES UPON MATTEES

willing that there should be a friendly feeling between us, and with this object I have ventured to write this to you. I think, upon reflection, you will see that you have put yourself in a false position by taking Mrs. Burness's case out of my hands, and undertaking the treatment of it yourself, conjointly with your ship's carpenter. I also believe, and feel it my duty to tell you, that you are not aware of the very probable result which will happen to that woman's arm, if left to your care and that of the carpenter. The evil I refer to is what is termed amongst surgeons anchylosis, or a false union of the bones ; and if this occurs, the woman will permanently suffer from this defect, which means, in other words, that she will lose two very important functions of the limb, namely, those of supination and pronation. An injury of such a kind will permanently disable her ; and after it has occurred, which it will have done by about the time of our arrival in Wellington, it will then be too late to remedy the mischief. If you and your carpenter persist in treating the case, and Mrs. Burness is willing that you should do so—well, I have done with it, and wash my hands of the affair. But I must also tell you, that if you do so, and not allow me to do my duty, by again taking charge of it, I shall then feel that I am but doing right in telling Burness and his wife of the probable result they may expect, and to whom they may be thankful for the injury, As it is, I believe that you have postponed the recovery of the woman (by breaking down the provisional callus thrown out, and disturbing the arrangement of the tissues), if not anything more serious. I send this with a most earnest desire to re-establish our former friendship and mutual respect one for another. In case you do not deign to reply to my overture, I would inform you that I shall keep a copy of this letter. I am, &c, J. T. Leigh.

L. Captain Haeeington to Mr. J. T. Leigh, Surgeon. Deae Sib,— _ " England," 24th Feb. I am somewhat surprised to receive this communication from you, asking to be allowed to " settle our difference." In the first place, allow me to tell you that I do not quarrel either with subordinates or equals. With reference to my taking charge of the people, you must be aware that they requested me to do so, in consequence of the neglect and maltreatment which they received at your hands ; and the case of Mrs. Burness was undertaken by me on the same alleged grounds, she having requested my assistance, in consequence of your having reset her arm three times during the first ten days after the accident, and having neglected to bind it up properly, in addition to which she informed me that you had told her that you did not care if she lost her arm so as you got ashore. Tou must be quite aware that I shall not tolerate such conduct to my passengers. If any of them allow you to treat them professionally, I must insist that your language shall be decorous, otherwise, if applied to, I shall consider it my duty to interfere, and, if I think desirable, to suspend you entirely from your duty. And I remain, Sir, Tours truly, J. T. Leigh, Esq. G. H. Hareington.

N. Dr. Featherston to Captain Harrington. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Sir, — Westminster, S.W., sth December, 1871. As the captain of the ship " England," for Wellington, New Zealand, I beg to recommend to your care the Government emigrants on board, and in reference thereto I have to request your attention to the following observations. The number of single women being so small, no duly trained matron has been appointed in this instance ; but I have selected one of their number, Mrs. Hall, to act in that capacity under your authority and direction. Tou will observe from the instructions addressed to her, enclosed herewith, that you have authority to remove her, should you see fit to do so, and appoint some one else to the office, in which case all right is forfeited to the gratuity of £3 payable by the Government of New Zealand for the faithful performance of her duties. I also enclose instructions for the mess-constable for the single women, whom you are requested to select from the married men, and who is likewise placed under your authority. Should he neglect his duties, you are authorized to remove him from his office, and appoint some one else—the removal, of course, making void all claim to the gratuity of £3. Wishing you a prosperous voyage, I have, &o, I. E. Featherston, Captain Harrington, Ship " England," London. Agent-General.

0. Dr. Featherston to Mr. Leigh. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Sir, — Westminster, S.W., 7th December, 1871. As surgeon of the ship " England," the care of the Government emigrants is confided to you. It will be your duty, apart from the medical charge of them, to maintain discipline and good order,