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2699. Now, going back two or three years: if you find the death-rate lower in Dunedin or about the same as Auckland, and three years ago lower than Wellington, what do you say ?—That is because it might not have been so saturated four or five years back. Perhaps it is only in the last few years that the defects in the Dunedin Hospital have been so unsatisfactory. 2700. Do you derive your judgment of it being insanitary from the percentage of death-rate?— Partly from that and partly from what I have seen. 2701. When did you come to the conclusion that Dunedin Hospital was unsatisfactory ?—Years ago. 2702. Then, years ago you would perform operations there in expediency cases?— You have to take a good many things into consideration. 2703. You told us you would not perform operations of expediency there. Mr. Solomon : He said now. 2704. Mr. Chapman.] And you formed your conclusions as to its sanitary condition years ago. Did you come to the conclusion years ago that it was an unsafe place in which to perform operations of expediency ?—I never gave it such a thought. 2705. Do you know of any one ever giving it such a thought ?—I do not know. 2706. Then, that is your opinion that you have come to quite recently? —What do you mean by recently ? 2707. I want to know from you ? —Several years ago. 2708. Then, several years ago you came to the conclusion that it was an unsafe place in which to perform operations ?—Yes. 2709. Do you know any one else who came to the same conclusion ?—I do not think I do. 2710. Was it the opinion of the medical staff, who have been cutting and slashing away there for years ?—My conclusion is not their conclusion. 2711. Do you think your conclusions chimes in with theirs ?—Not at all; mine are independent —quite independent. 2712. Then you are playing a "'lone" hand? 'Apparently Dr. Batchelor has not held it, because he has performed these operations up to last month ?—I have nothing to do with what Dr. Batchelor did. 2713. Did you ever consult with any of these gentlemen as to whether the Hospital was safe or not ?—No. 2714. And when did you look at the question critically?— After I came back to the colony I saw the great difference between the English hospitals and ours. 2715. The Chairman.} When did you come back?—ln 1882. When I came back from Australia my previous opinions concerning the defects in the Hospital were only confirmed. 2716. Mr. Chapman.} How long were you in the Old Country ? —Three years. 2717. The Chairman ] Did you go over all the Hospital yesterday?—l was not all over it yesterday, but I was all over it some time ago. lam very well acquainted with it. 2718. Do you know the basement ? —Yes. 2719. Do you know the kitchen ?—Yes. 2720. Do you consider them satisfactory ?—I have not been in them lately. They may be all right, but I do not know.

Monday, Ist September, 1890. Dr. Maunsbll sworn and examined. 2721. Mr. Solomon.] What is your name? —Henry "Widenham Maunsell. 2722. What is your medical title?—M.D. of Trinity College, Dublin. 2723. Are you registered on the roll of practitioners for New Zealand?— Yes. 2724. How long have you been in practice in Dunedin?—Over twelve years. 2725. How long have you been associated with or been a member of the Honorary Medical Staff of the Dunedin Hospital ?—About twelve years, I think. 2726. Do you consider that the sanitary condition of the Dunedin Hospital is satisfactory at the present time ?—No, it is not; but it is much more so than it used to be. 2727. Will you kindly take that volume of "Buck " into your hand. First of all, I would ask you is the Dunedin Hospital built on what is called the " block" system? —Yes, it is built on the block system. It is a building that was never intended for a hospital. 2728. In your opinion, is it suitable for a hospital?—l think that no building is suited for a hospital unless it is on the pavilion system, which consists of a number of isolated wards; and it is better that it should be built of one story only. The wards should be separated from each other, if there is sufficient space, by a space of three times the height of each ward, and they might be connected one with the other by means of an open asphalt walk. 2729. They should not be covered in?— No. The basement should be of some permanent material, as of brick, concrete, or stone, and elevated about 6ft. from the ground. This basement should be open all round. The basement underneath should never be used for cooking or for stores, but merely for the purposes of ventilation and heating. And the basement should be higher than the surrounding ground. 2730. That is, the basement of the Hospital?— Yes. The upper portion of the building should be constructed of wood, with double walls, for the purpose of ventilation in the first place—for the purpose of keeping the building warm in the winter and cool in the summer. As regards the advantages of the pavilion system, I may say that the great advantage is that, while you have less sunlight, you have a perfect system of cross-ventilation, which you cannot have in the corridor or block system of hospital construction. IG—H. 1.