A.—No. 3,

48

RELIGIOUS, CHARITABLE, AND

Then the Commissioner proceeded to the Hospital, which is situated on a part of the town reserve. Dr. Parkerson, the House Surgeon, took him through the different wards and other apartments, which appeared to be airy, clean, and the patients appeared to be well cared for. (See Dr. Parkerson's evidence. It was noticed, during the progress through the wards, that cases of fever were rare in this year compared with former years. This is in some degree attributable to the greatly improved condition of Christchurch in respect of its water supply by means of the artesian wells, which furnish a constant supply of pure water, at an average temperature of from 53° to 51°, throughout the year. The great growth of trees in and near Christchurch furnishes a large amount of shade in summer time, which must tend to cool the air passing through it. The Commissioner also visited the College Buildings, and was shown the chapel, a beautifully designed and well-constructed building of stone and timber ; the schoolroom, a noble hall of stone and timber; and the class-room and studies of the pupils in the senior master's house. The buildings are well constructed, and in good repair. They form a very good portion of the buildings which, as the institution progresses, will be required.

Thursday, 6th January, 1870. His Honor the Superintendent was in attendance, and intimated the names of witnesses to be examined in relation to the reserves granted to the Superintendent. Mr. Hewlings, being duly sworn, states :My name is Samuel Hewlings. I reside at Timaru, and am a surveyor. I know the land comprised in grant referred to as recorded C. 15, p. 245 (plan 56). It is enclosed with a ditch and bank fence on three sides, and a bank on the southern side. All burials in Timaru have been made there. It is in charge of a sexton, w rho determines the site of burials as they occur. Except the charge for burial fees, no income is derived from the land. The land comprised in grant recorded C. 17, p. 6, 5 acres at Timaru (plan 65), has been, fenced by tho Borough Council of Timaru. No burials have yet taken place there. Of the land comprised in grant recorded C. 17, p. 14 (plan 68), a small portion has been taken for a Telegraph and Post Office. The other part is unenclosed. This is near Wallingford Township. One or two burials have taken place there. The land adjoining Geraldine Township referred to in grant recorded C. 21, p. 139 (plan 82), is fenced in with a bank, and, I believe, a capped rail on it. It is used as a burial-ground for all denominations. The inhabitants of Wallingford objected to the use of the land (plan 68), as being too close to the town. The reserve C. 30, p. 130 (plan 141), was made, and the burials now take place there instead. Mr. Hewlings tenders the following information : — The reserve (No. 744) for public use, comprising sections 191, 192, 198, and 199, Timaru Government Township, has been appropriated to a school, open to all denominations, attended by about 117, male and female, scholars, in September, 1868, who pay, I believe, Is. a week each. Mr. and Mrs. Jaggar are in charge of the school. The reserve (marked 204 in red in the Chief Surveyor's map) in the Township of Timaru has been appropriated to the Hospital, which is about to be pulled down, when it will be unappropriated. The reserve, sections 441 to 444 inclusive, in the Town of Timaru has been appropriated as a school reserve, but is at present unoccupied. Mr. Parkerson, being duly sworn, states :My name is Burrell Parkorson, junior. I reside at the Hospital, Christchurch, and am House Surgeon to the Hospital. The Hospital contains: For males —• the accident ward, nine beds ; the convalescent ward, nine beds ; small ward for eye cases, three beds ; the waiting-room, and operating-room; small rooms for nurses. For females —the general ward, six beds ; separate ward for women, containing four beds ; the midwifery ward, containing four beds ; a laundry; in the rear, a kitchen, wash-house, &c. Two fever wards, quite detached —one for males, the other for females —each containing nine beds. All the usual attendants are employed. The patients treated last year ending 31st December, 1869, were 179 males and 85 females ; total, 264; the average per month, 22. The patients pay —at least, those who can afford it —at the rate of £1 per week for the first six weeks :if the case is a protracted one, they pay 10s. a week for the residue of their stay. The income so arising for that year was about £250. The expenditure for the year, for salaries and all other expenses, was about £2,300. This is defrayed by a grant from tho Provincial Government, except as to the amount contributed by patients. As to the reserves granted 11th August, 1855, under the Canterbury Association Ordinance, Session IV., No. 6, and " The Public Reserve Act, 1854,"— Mr. Blakiston, being duly sworn, states :My name is Augustus Frederick Noel Blakiston. I reside in Christchurch, and am Assistant Provincial Secretary of the Province of Canterbury. In the Schedule B. to the Canterbury Association Ordinance, Session IV., No. 6, are mentioned the following lands :— Town Lands. a. c. r. No. 5. The Gaol ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 3 28 9. Mechanics' Institute ... ... ... ... ... 0 016 10. Association's Offices ... ... ... ... ... 0 1 18 11. Hospital ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 3 0 15. Government Store ... ... ... ... ... 0 1 18 16. Association's Store ... ... ... ... ... 0 0 30 29. Hospital ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 1 17 31. Custom House ... ... ... ... ... 0 2 32 32. Wharves and Store ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 10 33. Boat-house, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 0 127