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2803. We have been told that the primary object of such a complete system of ventilation is that the air of the ward should be regularly renewed?—lt should be renewed continually. 2804. Do you think that the system of ventilation in the Dunedin Hospital renders it at all possible that the air can be renewed ?—From what I experienced to-day I should think not. All the available arrangements for ventilation appeared to me to be defective ; and in my opinion the results are not satisfactory. 2805. At what time to-day did you visit the Hospital ?—About 10 o'clock this morning. 2806. Were the wards fresh ?—They were not fresh. 2807. At that time do you think that all the available ventilators were open?— They were, for I examined them carefully. 2808. You noticed how far the wards were merely not fresh, and how far they were offensive ? —The smell was decidedly offensive in some of the wards. 2809. For instance, there was one ward in which there were only two or three patients: did you notice that ? —ln a large ward there was only one patient, and in another there was not an occupant. 2810. The Chairman.} Was that No. 5 ward ? —I think it was. 2811. Mr. Solomon.'] Was the air in that ward disagreeable ?—lt was very unpleasant. 2812. You noticed, did you not, that the principal mode of ventilation is by means of the windows ?—Yes, they are the principal means, but there are other ventilators. 2813. Every one must know that the evils which you noticed must be intensified if the windows had to be closed ?—I should certainly think so. 2814. Do you think it practicable, in a climate like we have in Duuedin, to open these windows in winter ?—I should think that it is very undesirable to do so. 2815. Would any danger arise from doing so ? —Particularly in the medical wards, where I should think that there would be considerable danger. 2816. For instance, to cases of phthisis, chest complaints, and so on ?—lt would be very injurious to such cases. 2817. Do you think that the atmosphere which you found to exist in these wards was a healthy atmosphere for patients? —I do not. 2818. Did you notice the appearance of the patients ? —I did remark on their appearance. 2819. What was their appearance generally ? —They appeared to have a more or less hectic appearance. 2820. Do you trace any connection between their appearance and the state of the wards ?— The atmosphere which I found this morning would have a great deal to do with their appearance. 2821. Did you notice or inquire whether the wards were overcrowded or not ?—Yes, I did. I observed the number of patients in each ward. 2822. Do you think they were overcrowded ?—lt appeared to me that the beds are far too close. There are certainly far too many, considering the small number of ventilators there are in the wards. 2823. Do you think that the evils which you have told us exist from the want of ventilation can be counteracted by putting a smaller number of patients iv the wards ?—I do not, because in one of the wards I went into, there was only one patient, yet I think it was the most offensive one I was in. 2824. Do you think, with a defective system of ventilation, that it i=s necessary that they should be more careful that the wards should not be crowded ?—Decidedly so. 2825. What number of patients do you think it safe to put into the surgical wards of the Dunedin Hospital?—l do not consider, in the present state of the Dunedin Hospital, that you should put in any patients at all. 2826. But we know that we have had patients, and have got them there now. What is the number of patients which you can with safety put in a surgical ward of the Dunedin Hospital at present?—l cannot say " with safety," but I should think that nine patients would be quite enough. 2827. I mean with the present system of ventilation?'—The air of the wards is very bad, and it is very difficult to say what number would make it absolutely poisonous. 2828. The Chairman.] Anything beyond nine might make the air poisonous?—lt certainly would be very injurious. 2829. Mr. Solomon.] Do you think that with the Dunediu Hospital built as it is you can secure an efficient system of ventilation here at all ? —I should hardly like to express an opinion on that, as to what might be done, but I should think that it would be difficult indeed to insure thorough ventilation in these wards. 2830. To do so one would necessarily be driven to the conclusion that it is impure air which would be driven into the main central hall ? —I think so. 2831. Do you think that would be desirable in any view of the case ?—Hardly ; but it is a very difficult matter indeed. 2832. Do you approve of the position of the waterclosets ?—I do not. 2833. Nor of the bathrooms, and so on ? —Certainly not. 2834. Are they sources of contamination ? —-They are sources of danger to the patients, I should think. 2835. Did you also notice that there are no kitchens attached to the wards?—l did. 2836. Do you approve of that ? —No. 2837. What do you think that there should be? —Every ward should have a small kitchen attached to it. 2838. What about the drainage system of this Hospital; did you go into that carefully? Moderately so. 2839. Do you approve of it ?—I do not,