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344. That was subsequent to the reading of your paper?—l did it immediately after my return from Australia. I was so much struck with the wonderful appliances that I saw in Melbourne, and knowing our absolute want of appliances here, I thought we might get something in the direction that was needed—that if we could not get a hospital we might at any rate obtain a ward —and for that reason I made an appeal to and called on some ladies. 345. How much money did you collect ?—Between £400 and £500 to start with. I afterwards gave an address, collecting-cards were sent, out, and over £1,300 collected for the purpose of this ward. 346. You say that this money was collected for this special ward?— Yes; £1,300, or a little more. I cannot tell you the exact amount at present. This money was at various times offered to the Hospital Trustees—at first on certain conditions, which apparently did not meet with their approval. 347. Tell us what these conditions were ?—-I have all the letters here. 348. The Chairman.'] Can you tell us in a few words what these conditions were ? —The money was subscribed for a new ward. The essential condition was that a new ward was to be erected separate from the present building. 349. You say that the new ward was to be erected away from the present building? —That was one of the essentials on which the money was to be handed over to the Trustees; but the Trustees, for some unexplained reason, did not accept. I, however, think there is a reason, though they do not give it. 350. However, it was not explained ? —lt was not. 351. Mr. Solomon^ You subsequently offered the money unconditionally, did you not ? —-No ; the last offer was that the money should be devoted to the erection of a ward. 352. Did you not eventually offer it untrammelled with any conditions?—No; it was offered conditionally on their building a ward for women. 353. Were you to get a Government subsidy on this money you had offered to the Trustees ?— Yes; I believe that a Government subsidy was almost promised. 354. Would the money which you offered to the Trustees have been sufficient to have built this ward? —It would have been more than sufficient. It was suggested, as a matter of fact, that the surplus funds should be devoted to the improvement of the hospital in other respects. 355. And the Trustees, in their wisdom, refused the offer?— They did. 356. You have already explained to us that it is impossible to secure the safety of patients without proper isolation. If there had been built a separate ward for the treatment of gynecological cases it would have been under your charge, would it not ?—I presume so; but that was never made a condition of the offer. 357. But in the ordinary course it would be under your charge?— Yes ; but you must remember that the other physicians in the Hospital are at liberty, if they like, to take gynecological cases. Though I have been appointed gynecologist I have never offered the slightest objection to them doing so, and would never have thought of such a thing. If they had gynecological cases I presume that they would use the ward. 358. If there had been a separate ward, could the same state of affairs come about as nearly happened to you once before—could you have a patient of yours lying alongside a woman with putrid bed-sores for a week or so ?—No. 359. That, then, would be obviated?— Yes. 360. The Chairman.'] What proportion do the gynecological cases bear to the general surgical cases? —I am appointed to nine beds. 361. Out of how many? —A hundred beds. Ido not know how many surgical beds there are. I cannot give you the details. 362. Mr. Solomon.] As to quietness :is that an important factor in these gynecological cases— that the patient should be kept quiet ? —Undoubtedly, in cases of severe operation. 363. I mean, of course, in severe gynecological cases? —In severe abdominal operations it is essential. Splendid results may be attained if you attend to details in every respect; but a very slight oversight or mistake may be attended with terrible results. 364. Can you get a proper amount of quiet in the Dunedin Hospital?— Not with the present appliances and accommodation. 365. I will now call your attention to the case of Mrs. Evatt. Do you remember what happened in her case ?—Yes, I do. Previous to Mrs. Bvatt's case there was another ovariotomy case, which I had operated on in the large general ward, which had been set apart for this purpose. This ward was one of the spare wards, and was empty at the time of the operation. It was very draughty, and in consequence the patient had an attack of bronchitis. 366. Where did she catch the bronchitis ?—I presume that she caught it in the ward. I know that she complained to my clerk that the ward was very draughty. Of course, there might be other elements come in there. This condition of things very much increased the patient's risk. In consequence of that I mentioned the fact to the Trustees, and suggested to them about having another ward, and they then set apart the little ward beyond the operating-room. It was a very small ward ; but I thought it better than the big ward, which was both noisy and draughty. But my great objection to this ward was that it was so noisy. There was a wooden passage, and the patients used to travel up and down it frequently. There was a constant noise going on, and I gave that ward up. 367. The Chairman.] What is the date of Mrs. Bvatt's case ?—She was admitted on the 18th October, 1888, and you will see it in the Hospital book, page 191. 368. Mr. Solomon.] What was the operation you performed on her ?—Oophorectomy. 369. That is a very serious operation, is it not ?—I do not think it is a very serious operation. The seriousness depends rather in having your appliances thorough. Ido not look on the operation as being particularly dangerous if you have proper appliances.