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consent came in the currency of the past quarter, we propose, with your approval, to make the additional charge for the present quarter, ending 13th April." My reply was dated the 11th April : "In reply to that portion of your letter of the 3rd instant intimating your intention, with my approval, of increasing the charge for the maintenance of the above-named patient, I have to inform you that the agreement for maintenance was made with me as administrator of the estate, and I see no reason why its terms should be varied." That is to say, that a compact into which I had entered with Dr. Alexander should not necessarily be varied because a third person had an idea that a greater remuneration should be given. 773. Mr. Loughrey.] If, then, the mother of the patient considered it would be an advantage to her son to have further comforts in this establishment by paying a higher price, you would have objected ? —No. First of all it must be shown that further comforts would have been granted to the patient, and, with all deference, I am in a better position to understand what should be paid than Mrs. Luby can possibly be. 774. Mr. Macdonald.} What is the regular charge in that asylum ? —For outside persons I believe £2 a week ; but between Dr. Alexander and myself it was understood that he should not charge the full amount to the Public Trustee as administrator of lunatic patients. 775. But, clearly, Mr. Hamerton, if the regular charge is £2, and the lunatic's friends and estate itself can bear that charge of £2, if a lower figure than that is insisted upon, is not the patient apt to suffer in many little ways? Is he not placed more in the position of a pauper patient than he ought to be ?—I do not think so. 776. Do you not think that letter of yours to Dr. Alexander was an extremely curt letter ? If you desired to know what was going to be given for the extra money, which was only the regular charge, would it not have been more courteous to inquire from Dr. Alexander what he proposed doing in the way of additional comforts, before telling him, "There is my contract: sign the contract" ? —lt does not strike me as being at all curt. It was not intended to be curt, at any rate. 777. Mr. Loughrey.] What is the income resulting from Luby's estate as administered by you ?—I cannot tell without looking at the ledger. -There are ample funds for his maintenance, with bis estate and his mother's £20 per annum. 778. Mr. Macdonald.} There is no question of want of funds ? If the cost was £3 a week, it would be paid ?—Yes. 779. As a matter of principle, do you think that patients are likely to get quite as much consideration from such an institution as that when they are paying a great deal less than the regular rate —20 per cent, less? Does it not stand as a matter of ordinary common-sense that if they were paying the full rates they would have a chance of getting all the advantages the institution might afford, whereas by paying a lesser rate they might be docked of many little things it will not pay to give them ?—lf you will allow me to refer downstairs, I think I shall be able to show that £80 does not cover all the cost of Luby's maintenance. We authorise Dr. Alexander to get him many things outside the £80. 780. That is not the point. The point is, that you are compelling Dr. Alexander, in consosequence of some general arrangement with yourself, to take 20 per cent, less than the regular thing, when the patient's nearest relative has affirmed her anxiety to pay the full rate, and specially desires that every comfort should be given to her son ; and especially when there are ample funds for it. Do you not think it would be wise to review that position in the interest of such patients as are able to pay and whose friends are very anxious that the full figure should be paid ? —I have always deemed it my duty to make the best arrangement for every estate which has come under my charge, and I have not considered myself at liberty to go to any extravagance in such administration. It appears to me still that the arrangement which was honourably entered into should be carried out. If I found that Mr. Luby was not receiving the attention which I deemed proper, I should take steps either to have the state of things altered, or to remove him from the asylum altogether. 781. Is any inspection made by you?— Not by me; but the Inspector-General of Aslyums makes an inspection, and the report of his inspection is sent to me under his hand. 782. What is the last report you have received from him respecting Luby's case?—l have not got it here, but I can produce it. 783. How many patients are there of yours at private asylums? —Two. 784. Who is the other one?—Mackay, from Palmerston North. 785. His estate is valuable ?—Yes. 786. He is in the same asylum as Luby ?—Yes. 787. What do you allow for him?— The same amount, 788. You say you have a report from the Inspector of Asylums in reference to these two patients ? —Yes. 789. Why is that report not attached to the papers? —I expect the report has been sent Home to Luby's mother. It is printed ; I can get plenty more. 790. Mr. Loughrey.] Should not such documents as that be attached to the records to make the reference complete ?—Yes ; I think it will be found so. 791. You have periodical reports from the Inspector of Asylums?— Yes. 792. Do you not attach such reports as you receive them ? You told us when we first commenced to sit here that you had your papers so placed as they came hi that they were in proper order?—■ Yes ; and I also said, I think, that it will be found these periodical papers have been sent Home to Mrs. Luby. 793. Mr. Macdonald.] How often do you receive periodical reports?— Once a year. 794. And the agent of the Trust Office never makes a visit himself personally to look at the condition of these two patients ? —No ; that would be an interference, to my mind, with the duties