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2775. In the first place, do you approve of the plan of construction of the buildings?—l do not. 2776. We have been told that the Dunedin Hospital is built on what is known as the block system, is that so ?—lt is. 2777. Do you consider that satisfactory at the present time?—No, I do not. 2778. I suppose you approve of the pavilion system?—l do. 2779. In the present construction of the building is there any efficient way of lighting the wards ?—ln my opinion, the wards are not properly lighted. There is not sufficient light in some of the wards. 2780. We have been told, for instance, that in each ward there is a blank wall along one side of the ward, is that objectionable ?—I think it is objectionable. 2781. Did you notice the construction of the floors, walls, and ceilings?—l did. 2782. In your opinion, are they constructed so as to favour or discourage the collection of pathogenic germs ?—The floors are certainly calculated to favour the harbouring of disease. The walls and ceiling, if properly attended to, and if distempered frequently, I should have no objection to. 2783. As to the condition in which you found them to-day, do you think that they are safe ? —No, 1 do not. 2784. Did you notice the ventilation in the wards ?—Yes. 2785. Perhaps at this stage it would be convenient if you let the Commissioners see the sketch that you have brought with you. [Sketch produced.] This sketch, I understand, is of one of the wards in the Christchurch Hospital ?—Yes. 2786. The Chairman.} In which you consider that the ventilation is well arranged ?—Yes. 2787. Mr. Chapman.'] Is it a one-storied building?— Yes. The height of the ward is 22ft., and the windows, which are 2ft. 9in. from the floor, run up to 9ft. llin. and to 10ft. llin., so that the total height is a little over 13ft. The little square holes are ventilators, which connect directly with the "trunk." These ventilators are 18in. by 9in. Each of these "trunks" contain steampipes. The building itself is raised about sft. above the ground. The "trunk" lies immediately in the line of these ventilators, and the steam-pipes He in the same line as the "trunk." The steam-pipes have open heads, consequently there is a low pressure which connects with the outside air. There is a slide-door between each of the beds, giving communication direct with the open air, as it may be found necessary to do so. This ward is twelve years old. The temperature of the ward falls according to the temperature outside. The temperature of the medical wards is kept at 64°, and of the surgical wards at 67°. There are twenty beds, ten on each side, and the space is 6ft. Bin. per bed. We keep the beds full, and last year we were overcrowded in these wards. 2788. Mr. Solomon.] Have you made any calculation what square and what cubic space you had ?—Everything can be calculated from the plan. 2789. But you have not done so ? —No ; I had no reason to do it. 2790. You have spoken about having ventilators under each bed. What are these things down the centre of the ward?— They are ventilators, only they are much larger, and they run right down the centre between the beds. They are 2ft. by lft., and have steam-pipes just the same as the others. They can not only be cut off, but it can be done gradually. They are controlled very nicely. It is not at all necessary to use the windows as ventilators. The wards are perfectly ventilated by these means, and I find them perfectly fresh. 2791. The Chairman.) If it is necessary to use the windows, can they be used ? —As a matter of fact, in fine weather days we have the windows open. 2792. Mr. Solomon.] I see that there is a window for each bed, on each side of the ward ?— The upper window, which opens, is Bft. by 2ft., and is divided into two. 2793. The Chairman.] That is Bft. by 2ft., divided into two sections?— Yes. There are small lower windows, which do not open, which simply allow a patient to look out as he lies in his bed. 2794. These are below the large windows ?—Yes. In the ceiling there is a large ventilator 6ft. square. There are several of them, and they are covered in by fretwork. 2795. How much is cut off: half the sectional area? —Not so much as that. There is a ventilator 12in. square at the closet end of the ward, and there is another one 18in. square. There is a flue 12in. by 6in., which goes into the belfrey. The waterclosets, which are cross-ventilated, are flushed automatically, and there is a special provision for the escape of steam from the baths, there being a ventilator 9in. by 6in., while there is a similar ventilator on the other side. The cost of this ward was about £3,000 ; but it was built at a time when timber and labour were very dear. Two wards exactly similar were built, but the one was cheaper than the other. The cheaper was of concrete. Ido not know what it cost, but it cost very much less. 2796. It has been suggested here that the ward should be half as long again, and contain about thirty beds?—l would not like it. I prefer not to have the ward a.ny larger than ours, which is quite large enough. 2797. In your opinion, does the plan which you have just explained provide a satisfactory system of ventilation ?—lt is quite satisfactory. 2798. I notice that in your ward you have ten beds in a total length of 68ft., which gives a space of 6ft. Bin. per bed. Do you think that that is sufficient?— Quite sufficient, with the ventilation that we have. 2799. It seems to be a complete system of ventilation that you have ?—lt is a very complete system. 2800. Did you notice the ventilation in the Dunedin Hospital ? —I did. 2801. Do you think that it, is at all satisfactory?—l do not. 2802. Is there any systematic plan of ventilation in the wards of the Dunedin Hospital ?— There appears to be none.