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1891.—Sess. 11. NEW ZEALAND.

DUNEDIN HOSPITAL INQUIRY COMMISSION (REPORT OF).

Presented to both Homes of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Onslow, Governor. To all to whom these presents shall come, and to Sir James Hectob, K.C.M.G., F.E.S., M.D., of Wellington, and Edgab Hall Caeew, of Dunedin, Eesident Magistrate, in the Colony of New Zealand —Greeting : Whekeas complaint has been made that the hospital known as the Dunedin Hospital, or certain parts thereof, is in an insanitary condition, and dangerous to the health of patients confined therein, and it appears expedient that a Commission should be appointed to examine, inquire into, and report upon the matter of the said complaint, and particularly as to an allegation that certain cases of blood-poisoning which have recently occurred at the said Hospital have arisen from the state of certain wards: Now, therefore, I, William Hillier, Earl of Onslow, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, in pursuance and in exercise of all powers and authorities enabling me in this behalf, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, do hereby appoint you, the said James Hectok and Edo ah Hall Caeew, to be Commissioners for the purpose of inquiring into the truth or otherwise of all such complaints as may be laid or preferred before you in writing signed by the party making the same touching the matters aforesaid, and generally to inquire into, examine, and report upon the sanitary condition, suitability, or otherwise, of the premises used for the said Hospital, and as to the general arrangements made for the health, treatment, and care of the patients confined in the said institution, and, subject hereto, by all lawful ways and means to examine and inquire into every matter and thing touching and concerning the premises, in such a manner and at such times as you shall deem expedient: And you are hereby authorised and empowered to have before you and examine all books, papers, writings, and documents whatsoever which you may deem necessary for your information on the subject-matter of this inquiry, and also to have before you and examine on oath or otherwise, »ns may be allowed by law, all witnesses and other persons whom you shall judge to be capable of affording you any information touching or concerning the premises : And I do further require you within fifty days from the date of these presents, or as much sooner as can conveniently be done (using all diligence), to certify to me under your hands and seals your several proceedings and your opinion touching the premises : And I do hereby declare that this Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that, subject to these presents, you the said Commissioners shall and may from time to time proceed in the subject-matters hereof at such time and times within the prescribed limits as you shall deem convenient : And I do hereby further declare that this Commission is issued subject to the provisions of " The Commissioners' Powers Act, 1867," and " The Commissioners' Powers Act 1867 Amendment Act, 1872." Given under the hand of His Excellency the Eight Honourable William Hillier, Earl of Onslow, of Onslow in the County of Salop ; Viscount Cranley, of Cranley in the County of Surrey; Baron Onslow, of Onslow in the County of Salop, and of West Clandon in the County of Surrey ; Baron Cranley of Imbercourt; Baronet; Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George; Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same ; and issued under the seal of the said colony at the Government House at Wellington this nineteenth day t>f August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety. (1.5.) T. W. Hislop. Approved in Council. Alex. Willis, Clerk of Executive Council. I—H. 1.