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How this horrible abuse could be allowed to exist for one
hour after beng shown up; how a member of the profession
of medicine, should be found to uph old it; and how a
medical officer, the witness, and supporter of such
infamies, should be allowed to retain his situation -
should not be instantly deprived of the t-rust he had
betrayed - is really past all comprehension ... We cannot ,
we are deeply sorry to say, give credit to Dr Bedford 's
denials in Parliament of these charges of inhuman
treatment .... nor can any amount of explanation account
for a sextuple insrease in an asylum of deaths over those
in the circle of a crowded and not overhealthy city.
This vindication of Hall's contentions over the past five years
symbolized the end of the old convict social era and the b.eginning of a
new.
Undoubtedly impelled by him alone, the new ideas in sanitary
science, dietetics ,
and social reform were gradually gaining ground in
Hobarton.
Yet, pleased though he was, Hall knew that the need for
guidance in the future, if conditions were to be on a par with those
elsewhere, was just as great as the need for comb at had been in the past .
The path
of progress was still strewn with obstacles difficult to surmount,
as the report of the Board of Enquiry , which was forwarded on December 7,
clearly showed. Although the report suggested certain improvements in
buildings ,
accommo dation and diet, it, nevertheless, emphasized that the
previous management was in no way whatsoever responsible for the high
mortality rate .
Officially, therefore, Bedford was foun not guilty of
any negligence, and Hall incorrect in his assertions . In view of th is ,
it was no surprise when Bedford 1 s name was added to the list of members of
the Board of Management appointed by the Government on December 20 to take
over jurisdiction of the Orphan Schools on January 1, 1860, at which date
all-charitable intitutions were handed over by the British Government to
the care of the colony.
Although Hall offered his services on
November 14 in all_ good faith , and even though Benson, the newly-appointed
Medical Superintendent, wished for his appointment, the offer was refused.
Why have his proffered services been treated with such
studied contempt ?
asked the Mercury in disgust on December 22.
It may be that Dr Hall has been somewh at troublesome, that
he has been zealous in the cause of these orphan chi ldren
over much ; that as a spier out of abuses , he has been a thorn
in the flesh ministerial . We admit that all the odium
which has been heaped upon those who have so scandalously and
so cruelly mismanaged the Orphan Shool has been almost
entirely owing to his untiring zeal and to his unflagging
determination to uphold the cause of these neglected and
ill-used children . . ... There is no man in the community
beter qualified for a seat at the Board of Management than
he is; and of this the Executive are as well persuaded as
we are .