15

H.—3a

water appears also to be available and could be used in case of fire. The liquid sewage runs into the town drains. The closets in use are of the dry-earth kind. The contents of these are buried in the kitchen-garden, while the vegetable and other refuse is removed by a contractor. Commencement has been made of an enlargement of the hospital, which will no doubt remedy some of the defects above alluded to, and diminish the overcrowding of beds which now prevails, particularly in the large ward for females. It is very evident that considerable interest is taken in the hospital by the Committee and the public generally. The condition in which I found every part of the establishment reflects great credit upon those who are concerned in its administration. 16th April, 1883.

NASEBT. The hospital is well placed in grounds of four acres, near to the town. The main building is of wood, with iron roof, and contains in front the ward for males, the dispensary, and a small ward for females. Behind are the kitchen, Steward's room, another small ward for women, bath-room, and washhouse. A verandah occupies a portion of the front. The walls have sash-windows and ceiling ventilators. Open fireplaces have been replaced by stoves, as being more economical and efficient. Kerosenelamps are used. There are wooden bedsteads with straw paillasses, and flock mattresses and pillows. These are not so comfortable as hair, but were not complained of. There is an ample supply of waterand air-pillows for those who need them. Good rugs are supplied to each bed, with slate-coloured blankets and very clean linen. There is a large table in the men's ward for meals, all of which are taken here ; and two small bedside tables. There are no lockers ; but I noticed a bookshelf, well filled, and also newspapers, draughtboards, &c, with framed pictures on the walls. There are some cane-seated and other chairs. Commodes are used in the wards, with a removable bucket, there being no closets but detached ones at a distance. The bath-room has a fixed bath with douche. There is also here a lavatory with a number of clean towels. In the adjoining female ward is a large ne-st of drawers containing surgical instruments and appliances. The kitchen is good, and has an American kitchener in a recess. Good crockery and utensils were here, all exceedingly clean and well arranged. There is no scullery, but a very good store-room. The dispensary is very suitable for its use, and well stocked. Here I saw a very complete patients' register, containing also notes of the treatment adopted. A pre-scription-book is properly kept. Payments are obtained from all patients able to contribute: £1 a week is charged, and I am informed that last year all the patients paid for their maintenance in the hospital except six. The Wardsman takes charge of any money found on patients, and enters the same in a book. Pass-books are kept for all goods supplied by contract. Entries are afterwards made of them in the store-book, which is submitted to the Committee. An inventory of hospital property is said to be kept by the Secretary. The Matron "has a list of all linen and bedding. No diet-scale is in use. The Committee meet monthly; but some of them visit the hospital every week. The Medical Officer attends at least once daily. The water used for drinking is rain-water ; a supply for other purposes is obtained from a dam. All liquid sewage is run into a race, and finds its way to the river. Solid matters are either burned or buried. The detached closets are kept perfectly clean. An iron building, in the rear of the hospital, contains a lumber-room and a coalhouse. At some distance to the right is the fever-hospital, not in use. This is a concrete building, containing, in front, two rooms with a bed in each. Behind is a small kitchen; and attached to the back of this hospital is an iron building, used as the mortuary. The grounds are prettily planted with trees and flowers. A kitchen-garden furnishes all the vegetables used in the hospital. I found four male patients occupying beds, and satisfied myself that they were very properly inmates. All expressed themselves to me as very comfortable. The hospital is well planned, carefully superintended, and kept in admirable order by the Wardsman and the Matron. There can be no doubt of their industry, as they have no assistant whatever. My visit was paid at an early hour, but everything was very satisfactory. 9th February, 1883. '

NELSON. I hate this day visited the hospital at Nelson and seen all the patients. The estate is well situated on high ground, a short distance from the town, and embraces about six acres. There are some reserves of land elsewhere which are hospital property, as lam informed, but they are at present of little value. The grounds present some shady walks for the convalescent patients; but no part is utilized as a kitchengarden, there being no labour available for this purpose. The building has a good external appearance, and is in substantial repair, having recently been painted externally. It is constructed of wood, with a slated roof, and, with the exception of the central portion, has no second storey. The central groundfloor portion contains the waiting-room, consulting-room, dispensary, kitchen, stores, and bath-room, with a private room for the dispensary ; above are the quarters of the .Resident Medical Officer. Each wing of the building forms a large ward, for males and females respectively, in front of which is a verandah. There is also a large empty ward at the rear of the building on the male side, which is used for infectious diseases, and sometimes for such patients as are noisy and excited— e.g., cases of delirium tremens. There would be no difficulty in erecting a similar ward on the other side, so that both sexes might be separately treated. The wards are large and airy, the ventilation being effected by sashwindows and openings in the walls and ceilings. They present a cheerful appearance, and are substantially, though very plainly, furnished. There are deal tables ; deal seats, with backs ; bedside lockers, with backs to form a plain seat; bedside brackets; and a few American reclining-chairs. There are also some commodes of plain construction. A number of unframed prints hang on the walls; and I observed a number of cut flowers. The bedsteads are of iron, with hair mattresses upon straw paillasses. I'eather pillows are in general use. The blankets and linen were scrupulously clean, but much worn. A very small stock of bedding and linen is kept; but new things are always obtainable, at short notice, when required. Books, periodicals, and papers abound in the wards : these are gifts from townspeople. Open coal fires are used for warming. The lighting is effected by gas. The water