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2962. And what would you expect? For instance, in the matter of the death-rate, would you expect to find that for a series of years it compared very unfavourably with Christchurch ?—I do not know that I should altogether. 2963. What are the different conditions of your hospital from ours? —Our wards have been thoroughly ventilated. 2964. But that was done recently ? —Three years ago. It has even been much improved during the last thirteen months in regard to ventilation and heating arrangements. 2965. Would you be surprised to learn, for instance, that in 1886 the death-rate in Dunedin was 9-7 while in Christchurch it was 94—practically the same? —I would not be surprised. 2966. And that in 1885 the death-rate in Dunedin was 9-5 and in Christchurch 9-11 ?—I should not be at all surprised. 2967. Or that, with an average for several years, the difference is slight ? —I should not be at all surprised to find that. 2968. Can you find a reason why the death-rate at Wellington is lower than that of Christchurch ?—I do not know. 2969. Why the death-rate of Wellington Hospital should be 1 or 2 per cent, less? —No; I do not understand anything about the Wellington Hospital. 2970. Suppose now that the death-rate of the Dunedin Hospital were 2 or 3 per cent, higher, would you attribute that necessarily and wholly to differences in the sanitary arrangements of this Hospital ? —Not wholly ; perhaps there might be other causes. Still, I consider the wards, in the condition in which I found them, are highly dangerous for patients to be put in them. 2971. Would you be surprised to hear that that has not apparently troubled the medical staff all these years ?—I am surprised to hear that. 2972. You have spoken definitely as to the temperatures, as shown by the charts, being higher in surgical cases here than in Christchurch?—l have. 2973. Did you take notes when working out your averages, or is it merely a general impression ? —I took cases at haphazard, which were pointed out % 2974. What sort of cases did you compare ?—I did not compare any particular cases. I took a look round all the charts in the surgical cases. 2975. Then, it was not taken at haphazard?—Of course, where there was a very high temperature I made inquiries. 2976. The cases were pointed out to you?— Yes. 2977. By whom?— Dr. Batchelor. 2978. You were asked by him to look at his particular cases?—He showed me all his cases. 2979. What did you compare them with ?—I compared them with our surgical cases—the average appearance of the charts in the Dunedin Hospital with the average appearance of surgical charts in Christchurch. 2980. You did not work out the figures?—l did not. I have the charts themselves in Christchurch. 2981. How long were you in the Hospital this morning?—' About an hour. 2982. And it was in an hour this morning that you inspected these charts, saw the drainagearrangements, and the various things you have spoken about ? —Of course, I had not to look for these things ; they were pointed out to me. 2983. You have stated that you would not like to operate in the Dunedin Hospital. Would you be surprised to learn that the medical staff of the Hospital have operated freely there ?—I should be surprised to hear that they had agreed to operate, except in cases of more or less urgency. 2984. Would you be surprised to hear that the entire medical staff have operated on cases that were not of more or less urgency ; and, even to take one single member of the medical staff, would you be further surprised to hear that Dr. Batchelor has from year to year performed an increasing number of operations in surgical and gynecological cases ?—Yes, I should be very much surprised at him doing so. 2985. Is your knowledge of this Hospital what you have gained by to-day's examination of it ? —No. I examined it fully two years ago. I made the remark at that time that the Hospital was a nice place for antiseptic treatment. 2986. To whom did you say that ?—To Dr. Batchelor. 2987. Would you be surprised to hear that Dr. Batchelor has operated freely in an increasing number of cases since then ? —Except it was in cases of emergency, I should be surprised. 2988. Look at this list [hands witness a return], for instance, of operations from January to August of this year?—lt does not state the nature of the operations in each case. 2989. There are about thirty operations in that list. I suppose there is a fair number of abdominal sections and a fair number of operations of expediency there ? Mr. Solomon : Throughout this inquiry I have studiously refrained from attacking any one. In my opening I said I would endeavour to avoid personalities, and I have done so; but Mr. Chapman's last question is obviously for the purpose of attacking Dr. Batchelor. Mr. Chapman : That statement is absolutely unfounded. Mr. Solomon: I say it deliberately; that question was put with no other object. Mr. Carew : The question goes to test the genuineness of Dr. Batchelor's evidence. Mr. Solomon : If the Trustees think that they can meet a grave charge of this kind by casting dirt at Dr. Batchelor I am quite prepared to meet them. 2990. Mr. Cfidgman.] Are you a little surprised to hear that operations have been going on at the rate I have just mentioned—say, thirty-five operations between January of this year up to date —notwithstanding what you knew two years ago? Dr. Batchelor : I say that that return is grossly exaggerated. Mr. Solomon : W Tho made up that list ?