Varying evidence has been given in the inquiry by Mr. V. Tanner, P.M. sitting as royal commission, into allegations made in the legislative assembly by Mr Hogan regarding the conduct of Greenvale sanatorium, a government institution for the treatment of tuberculosis.
While some witnesses (both nurses and patients) have spoken of meat being frequently fly-blown and milk sour, others have stated that nothing of the kind came under their notice.
Frederick Hagelthorn, M.L.C stock and station agent, having obtained permission to make a statement, said that he had had received no presents whatever from Greenvale sanatorium.
When he was ill last year, Mrs brown brought out to his house at Malvern a cook fowl, and he was minister for health Dr brown brought into his office few vegetables worth perhaps 6d or 7d to show him what could be grown.
On another occasion Mrs brown took out to his house a pair of ducks. he was not at home at the time, but in any case he would have accepted the present, because he took it that the ducks were Mrs. Brown’s private property.
Robert Zelley, a pensioned soldier, said: -I was a patient at the sanatorium from October, 1915, to February. 1916.
I’ve never seen anv of the officials of the Board of public Health take poultry away, but I have vegetables taken away by Robertson, the manager.
Mr Jones. – Did you have any ‘milk?
Witness.- There used to be a gallon a day go to the doctor’s place, to Feed the opossums and doge. We used to get watered stuff. It was an understood thing that it was no use making a complaint to Dr. Brown, because it went no further.
Witness added that once 28 or 30 days young ducks were reared. They al! went to Mrs. Brown’s house.
Mr. Hogan.- Was there any poultry at Greenvale except for that belonging to the institution?
Witness.- None whatever, except geese.
Mr. Hogan.- Was there a private poultry yard at the doctor’s house? No. The doctor once told me to take out fourteen nice pullets. He said he wanted a yard made at his house. He wanted to take the pullets to his father’s place.
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