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1505. Do you say that they refused the money for the nurses' home ?—Yes ; they refused it on the conditions on which it was offered. The money had been collected for the specific object of providing accommodation for female nurses. The Trustees agreed to erect a nurses' home, but would not bind themselves to make any radical change in the nursing system ; and immediately they did agree to this change the money was handed over. 150 S. Do you know the number of female nurses tliere are in the Hospital now ?—I think there are about ten. Mr. Chapman : I believe there are twelve. The Chairman : I took down nine when I was there the other day. They said they had ten, but there is one short just now. 1507. Mr. Chapman!] Do you know how many there were formerly?—l know that the nursing system was very bad before. 1508. But it has been improved ?—Yes. 1509. Since when?— During the last two or three years some improvement has been effected. 1510. But I am referring only to the female nurses just now ? —That matter is settled, I think, so it is only wasting time to discuss it now. 1511. You think it is settled? —I hope so, and believe it is. 1512. You said the other day that there had been very little improvements made in the Hospital—that they were scarcely worth while speaking about. I want you to read over this list [handed to witness] ?—My impression is that I said that there had not been any radical changes in the conditions of the Hospital. 1513. I understood you to say that there had not been any material improvements since you had been connected with the Hospital. lam now going to call your attention to certain things that have been done. [The following list read to witness] : (1.) Drains have been removed from under the building, connected with the sewers, trapped and ventilated, and the large dangerous cesspit which formerly received all the drainage has been filled up. (See Dr. Grabham's Eeport.) (2.) The basement under the main hall has been opened up, lighted, doors and other openings made, the floor levelled and asphalted. (3.) The lying-in ward, which was very strongly condemned by Drs. Grabham and MaeGregor, has been abolished. It was described as a source of great danger to the Hospital. (4.) As recommended by the Inspector-General the rooms formerly used as lying-in wards were converted into children's wards, ventilated, windows altered, closet, bath-room, and scullery added, and made as perfect as possible under the circumstances. (5.) The waterclosets in all the wards have been altered, the old pan-closets were removed, and the most modern approved sanitary closets substituted. The closets were ventilated, and those in the surgical wards cemented. (6.) The old operating-room (now the students- and casualty-room) was described as a source of great danger to the patients, being much too small, and having no proper seats or appliances. Students stood close round the operating-table, used the basins, sponges, &c. The light was very bad, so much so, that the operating-table had at times to be moved (sometimes five or six times during an operation. The patient was carried into the room, and chloroformed there, the whole surroundings being very objectionable. (7.) The new operating-theatre was erected and completed with all the latest and best appliances obtainable, Dr. Maunsell describing it as the finest theatre in the southern hemisphere. (8.) The room for violent and delirium tremens patients was padded and very greatly improved, and made safe. (9.) All the mattresses have been renewed except those in the lock-ward. New bedsteads ordered. (10.) The surgical wards have been cemented with impervious cement, painted, varnished, &c. (11.) Greater number of nurses and junior nurses, formerly four, now twelve. (12.) Ambulance wagon, litter, American chairs, airbeds, movable baths, &c, obtained. (13.) Fencing and buildings at back on both sides removed, letting in much more air and light. (14.) New instruments obtained, microscope and other appliances for pathologist. (15-) Special ward for female ophthalmic cases prepared in front tower ; ventilated, improved, and waterclosets removed therefrom. (16.) Beading-room set apart for patients, and furnished with books, periodicals, piano, and organ. (17.) Grounds greatly improved, levelled, paths, flower-beds, borders, &c, prepared and laid out. The ground drained where required, and otherwise improved. (18.) New post-mortem room provided, and separated from the dead-house. The post-mortem room is not very good, even now, but is very much better than formerly. (19.) The wards have been ventilated. (20.) Chronic cases were removed to the Benevolent Institution. Mr. Solomon thought that time was being wasted by going into these matters. Because certain improvements had been made was no answer to others, which should have been done, not being attempted. Dr. Batchelor was in no way attacking the Trustees. Yet here was a vigorous defence of the Trustees, against whom there was no charge at all. Mr. Chapman submitted that he was quite justified in pursuing this line of examination. 1514. The Chairman.] I understand you to say that the only defect which has been remedied, in addition to what is mentioned in that memorandum, is the operating-theatre ?—Yes, that is the only important reform. There arc a good many doubtful points about these other things. As regards instruments, we have a great difficulty in getting what we require, and often have to take our own. I remember on one occasion meeting the Chairman of the Trustees when I was returning from an operation. Noticing that I was carrying a bag, he made some remark about it, and I then complained about being obliged to carry my own instruments to and from a hospital operation. He seemed surprised at my complaining, and asked what I expected, evidently thinking that it was quite right I should supply my own instruments. It shows pretty well the knowledge these gentlemen have of hospital matters aaid of hospital management. 1515. Do you mean to say that you cannot get suitable instruments?— Not suitable for my work, certainly. I answer for myself, at any rate.. 1576. When the matters of which you have complained came to be discussed by the medical