THE COLONY'S HOSPITALS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1166, 29 July 1885, Page 4

THE COLONY'S HOSPITALS.

The Inspector-General of Hospitals has presented his report to Parliament for the ; past year. He states that as a rule the establishments are kept scrupulously I clean atid in good Banitary condition, and in regard to the nursery he says : " I have | no alteration to report. Wellington con- | tinues to furnish the only training school for probationers. Auckland would follow 3uit, but has no proper rooms for the purpose. Cbriatchurch and Dunedin might well improve upon their oldfashioned arrangements as to maintenance." Dr Grabham says: "I would again- express my opinion that the present want of any proper system of subsidising is fast, doing away with any local efforts to raise money. In many places it is probable contributions have entirely ceased. The provision of practically gratuitous hospital treatment by the Central Government is pauperising the population to an alarming extent, and taking away the inducement for thrift. Extravagance in maintenance prevails in the hospitals, and will continue to do so while the locality benefits by the expenditure of Government money." As to patients, the report goes on to say : " A large proportion of the patients treated in the hospitals are not proper objects of charity. The legislation regarding the collection of maintenance money is defective, and the machinery inefficient. Payment on recovery of health and income from employment should be insisted upon. The hospitals are encumbered with aged persons, fincurable cases, and worthless persons, who would find a home in a workhouse in England. The cost of maintaining these people in a hospital far exceeds what would be necessary in a proper appointed refuge. At the end of 1884, 47 more beds were in occupation than at the beginning. On the Ist January, 1884, there ware 643 patients in the hospitals, and during the year 5625 new cases were admitted, making a total under treatment of 6268. Of these, 5019 were discharged and 559 died, leaving on the 31st December 690 still under care. The accommodation at Christchurch is reported to be ample. The subscriptions and donations for the year amounted to £7,208, as against $9,690 last year. The amount paid by patients was £4,690 last year, as against £4,454 the previous year. The total expenditure for the year 1884 amounted to £67,825, or nearly £4000 more than the previous , year." The Inspector-General slates that his visits for the year numbered 72, and that he travelled 6452 miles while inspecting the different institutions.