11

H.—3a

with hay, as also are the pillows. There are a few hair mattresses for special cases. Deal tables with forms are provided for use at meals, all of which are taken in the wards. There are also a number of cane-seated chairs, and some rocking-chairs. Bedside table-lockers, of good and simple pattern, are placed by each bed. Each patient has two cards placed on the wall above him : one of these shows particulars of the case, the other the diet. There is a large dresser at the end of the ward, with drawers below for linen and stores, and shelves above for crockery. It also contains a small cupboard for special medicines. There are some good commodes, with earthenware pans. A number of books and newspapers are available for the use of patients, and there are a few pictures on the walls. In a projecting building at the end of each ward is a bath-room, with two basins ; and, adjoining it, a pancloset, which is emptied daily from outside. The female nurse occupies a very comfortable looking room at the entrance to her ward. The other servants are badly provided for in the matter of any dayaccommodation, there being only one small and gloomy room for their use when at meals or off duty, The operating-ward is at the end of the large entrance-corridor, and is very well lighted and arranged. I saw here a good stock of surgical instruments, in excellent order. Opening into this room is the dispensary, which is supplied with drugs, under contract, by a local chemist. A small room, entered from the dispensary, is the only provision made for the Steward and Dispenser, and is certainly inadequate for the purpose. The kitchen is small, but has a good cooking-range. There is a good pantry next to it, but no scullery. Most of the washing-up is done in the verandah outside. The store-room is small and poorly fitted. It is also very wet, from the leaky tanks already alluded to; but this matter has already engaged the attention of the Committee. There is no accommodation provided for patients suffering from fever, or other infectious disease. The laundry occupies a detached building in the rear of the hospital, and is a very good one. It contains a wash-house ; a drying-room, and a small bedroom for the laundress. Behind the laundry a small wooden erection contains four pan-closets and a urinal; and near this is a good range of pig-styes, in a state of remarkable cleanliness. A small but suitable mortuary completes the list of buildings. As regards water-supply the rainfall furnishes an ample quantity, which is stored in numerous tanks. I noticed a large number of buckets, hung up in accessible places, and all kept filled, in case of fire. There are also a number of fire-ladders, properly housed. The liquid sewage is conducted into a neighbouring creek, and finds its way into the sea. Night-soil is mixed with earth, and eventually used in the garden. At the time of my visit beds were occupied by twenty-seven males and four females. Of these, four might properly be inmates of a benevolent institution. I conversed with all, and could hear no complaint, but, on the other hand, a good deal of praise of the general arrangements and comforts of the hospital, and the kindness of the staff. The charges made for maintenance in the hospital (to subscribers of £1 annually) are £2 10s. for the first week, and £1 10s. for subsequent weeks. These sums are paid to the hospital by the various local Committees, and not by the patients. The system is good, but is open to some abuse. Outpatients are seen, at the hospital-rooms in the town, twice weekly. If not themselves subscribers they must bring a ticket from a subscriber. Their prescriptions are dispensed at the hospital, and are entered in a book with counterfoil. The books kept at the hospital are very complete. The admissionbook gives very full particulars of each case; and three case-books give the treatment and progress of the patient. There is a well-arranged book showing diets and extras ; and a stores-ledger, with debtor and creditor account of every article used. This book is balanced monthly. All orders for stores are given by printed order, with counterfoil; and the accounts properly checked. There is also a book showing the daily number of patients, and the daily consumption of each article. A complete inventory of hospital property exists, and is corrected yearly. Articles are condemned by the Steward, with the approval of the Committee. The Committee meet fortnightly at the hospital, and visit the wards ; making a report of each visit in a book. The Medical Officer also records his visits, which are at least twice daily. I had the pleasure of visiting the wards with him, and can entertain no doubt that he devotes much time and great interest to his work. The Steward and Dispenser is evidently a valuable officer, and I can speak very favourably of the rest of the staff. The whole hospital is well managed and in a very creditable condition ; and I have not yet seen in the colony so good a system of book-keeping, medical and general, as that in use at this establishment. There is great need here of two small wards, in which special cases might be appropriately treated. These might be erected at comparatively small expense. The large wards are at times overcrowded, and the resources of the hospital severely taxed. 15th February, 1883.

INVEECARGILL. The hospital is situated in the town, but has a good area of land round it, which is utilized as a lawn, a drying-ground, and a small meadow; no part is cultivated as a vegetable- or flower-garden. I have this day inspected every part of the establishment, which is at present under the charge of Dr. Galbraith, the Resident Medical Officer being away on sick leave. The hospital consists of three blocks which are united behind by a corridor. At one end an old building runs back, and contains a kitchen, ilaundry, pantry, and bath-room. The left-hand block consists entirely of the Medical Officer's rooms, and has only recently been built. The central block has, on the right of the entrance, a well-fitted dispensary ; on the left, a room used by the Committee, and also for out-patients ; behind this is a small ward with two beds ; while upstairs are three other small wards. The right-hand block contains a male ward and a male nurse's room ; upstairs is a female ward, and also a room for a nurse; there is also a dining-room in this block. The wards are plainly but suitably furnished; iron bedsteads are used, with straw mattresses and chaff beds and pillows. The bed-clothing I found to be good and very clean. There are large sash-windows, and open fireplaces, and one or two other ventilators. A few chairs, bedside locke-rs, small brackets, washstands, and plain tables, complete the furniture. There are also commodes, which are of necessity in frequent use, as no water or other closets are situated near the wards. A few pictures adorn the walls, and there are one or two bookshelves with books and papers. An earth-closet is provided for each sex at the back of the corridor, but can only be used by the convalescent patients, or those who are not confined to bed. The kitchen is small and poor; there