H.—3a

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a portion of which is collected in an underground cemented tank, and another portion in iron tanks beneath the roof. The grounds are fairly kept, but more assistance is needed to get them into good order. In front of the building are some flower-beds, and at the side a well-stocked and well-kept kitchen-garden : all this work is done by the wardsmen and patients. The buildings are apparently in good repair. The wards are clean and well ventilated. Iron bedsteads, of neat pattern, are in use; but there are a good many old and dilapidated wooden ones, to replace which funds are, as yet, wanting. Straw paillasses are used, with chaff or flock beds, flock or feather pillows, and excellent bed-clothing. The whole were in good order and beautifully clean. There are bedside cupboards provided ; and the wards are decorated with plants in pots, and some pictures. I also noticed a neat bookshelf, well stocked with books, which, as well as newspapers, are gifts to the hospital. On the floors are strips of cocoanut matting. Open fireplaces, with grates for coal, are provided ; and kerosene-lamps are in use. The windows are large, and open at top and bottom ; there are also ceiling ventilators. The bath-rooms and earth-closets are separated from the wards by lobbies, in which are situated lavatories ; hot and cold water being laid on. The ward furniture is plain and suitable, but a few more chairs are much needed. The dispensary is well fitted and stocked with drugs ; there is here also an excellent cabinet for the surgical instruments, the stock of which is, unfortunately, too small. The store-room is very good, and in excellent order. I inspected all the books, and found them properly kept. All stores are obtained under contracts, and all goods received are carefully checked. Stock is taken every month in the store-room, and an inventory of all property taken yearly by the Committee and Secretary. A daily ration-list is kept, and examined monthly by the Committee, and compared with the accounts of goods received and the stock in store. Payments are obtained from patients wherever possible. Stamped promissory-notes are signed by them on their discharge, and a collector calls upon them afterwards for payment. The Committee visit the hospital sometimes twice in one week, and evidently take considerable interest in its working. The Medical Officer also is very attentive to his duties, and is highly spoken of by the patients. He has only lately recovered from a dangerous form of fever, resulting, in my opinion, from certain insanitary matters connected with the old wooden house in which he resided at the hospital. The Committee have very properly removed the house altogether, and hired another for the purpose in the vicinity of the hospital; but it is very desirable that a suitable residence shall be provided in the grounds of the establishment for the use of this officer. The class of cases received here is of a serious nature. There are many accidents from the mining districts ; and there is only one patient occupying a bed who would more properly be an inmate of a benevolent institution. An unsuccessful attempt has been made to remove this patient elsewhere. Altogether I saw eleven patients, two of whom were females. They all spoke to me in high terms of the comfort and kindness which they experienced. The condition of the whole establishment is most creditable; the new buildings are well designed, and good'management and economy are everywhere apparent. The Steward and Matron are valuable officers. The former (who formerly served me in England) acts also as dispenser. It appears to me that additional female assistance is needed, especially when, as often happens, there is night-nursing to be done. 31st January, 1883.

MASTEETON. The hospital is well situated on somewhat elevated ground, about half a mile from the town. The soil is a loamy clay, and was formerly swampy, but has been well drained. The estate (about three acres) is fenced in with posts aud wire. In front it is laid down in grass, and planted with shrubs ; behind are the drying-ground and the kitchen-garden. This is in admirable order, and supplies abundance of vegetables, fruit, and flowers to the hospital. Water is obtained from a well, by means of a force-pump, to which 120 feet of l|-inch hose can be fitted, in case of fire. The hose is good, and kept on a reel under proper shelter. Two ladders are also in readiness for use. Eain-water is caught in a tank, and used in the bath. A cesspit, filled with boulders, is situated at some distance from the hospital towards the south-east, and receives the drainage of sink, lavatory, bath, and urinal. This gradually soaks away into the land. All refuse is burned and used in the garden, with the soil from the closets. The building is of wood, with a shingle roof. The whole is in good repair, but badly requires painting externally. There are three wards, which"are very clean and bright-looking, and a good view is obtained from the windows as the patients lie in bed. Open fireplaces for wood are provided, and the lighting is by kerosene-lamps. Sash-windows and openings in the ceilings give proper ventilation. Very neat iron bedsteads are provided with straw paillasses, hair mattresses, and feather pillows. White counterpanes are in use, and these, with every other article, I found to be most scrupulously clean. There is no large stock of bedding or linen, but quite sufficient for all practical purposes. One patient was lying on an excellent spring-mattress. The ward furniture comprises washstands, reclining chair, tables, Windsor chairs, brackets above the beds, commodes of simple constructioD, carpets, and green blinds to the windows. A proper cupboard contained the medicines and appliances. A few books were seen, but there were no papers or pictures. There is a very good lavatory, with four basins ; each patient has his own towel. A bath-room is provided, and there is also a portable zinc bath. Hot water has to be obtained from the laundry. The kitchen has no proper range, but a colonial oven only, The room is neatly furnished, and the crockery and utensils are good. The scullery is properly fitted, and contains the meat-safe. I examined the bread and other stores, which are kept in a room for the purpose. A bedroom adjoining the kitchen is used by the Steward and Matron, James Bulpitt and his wife. Their sitting-room is now occupied as a bedroom by a young mtm, who assists in nursing troublesome cases, and work's in the grounds. A detached laundry contains a copper and% good wringing and mangling machine. Attached is a lean-to shed, intended for a mortuary, but unsuitable for this purpose, and used as a toolhouse, adjoining which is a staJl for the Medical Officer's horse. Behind this building stand three detached closets for patients, and a urinal. The closets are emptied every week. Within the hospital building is a room intended for a dispensary. Medicines are, however, procured from a chemist in the town. There is here a stock of surgical instruments, worth £50 to £70. A small consulting-room is used as a mortuary. A