H.—7a.

6

but their presence deters many eligible patients from entering the hospital at all. The building is in good and substantial repair, but must be painted externally to preserve it, unless it be replaced by a smaller and more suitable hospital. 14th November, 1883.

CHAELESTON. Tijis hospital was inspected by me on November 4th, 1883, and was found to be untenanted, save by the Steward. There has been no in-patient under treatment for upwards of a fortnight, and the number at any one time since my last visit has not exceeded two. I have very little to add to what was stated in my last report. The buildings were found clean and in good order. One or two old and worthless pillows, which I saw stowed away, might with advantage be destroyed. The drain which was alluded to on the former occasion has not been enclosed or altered. The whole work of the establishment, with the exception of the washing, is performed by the Steward, who also cultivates the garden. There can be no doubt of his industry and efficiency, Payment is expected from patients at the rate of £1 per week, but is not often received.

CHEISTCHUECH. I visited this establishment on the 27th September with the Colonial Secretary, and completed my inspection on the 28th. Since my last visit the wards in the new building have been cleaned and distempered, with great advantage to their appearance and sanitary condition. They now look very cheerful and comfortable, the only drawback being the large fireplaces, which take up so much of the floor-space. The wards irrthe old building require renovating; and a better sort of distemper should be used, which would not crack and peel off in a few months. The whole of the office, closets, lavatories, and bath-rooms I found in good order. The earth-closets, however, are unsightly; and apt to become offensive if neglected by those who use them, as will often be the case. It is intended shortly to make a connection with the city sewers, and to discontinue the pollution of the neighbouring creek with the liquids from the laundry, baths, sinks, and urinals : when this has been accomplished there should be no difficulty in replacing the earth-closets by well-constructed water-closets, for flushing which an abundant supply of water exists. The defective kitchen-ranges have been repaired, and, though the consumption of fuel is still too large, I am informed that it has been very materially reduced. A new kitchen, with scullery, servants' room, &c, is much to be desired; but, failing this, the present one should be cleaned and distempered, the lime-wash formerly used having peeled off and left the boards bare. The laundry is in good condition, but requires painting. The mortuary, which will now also be used as a public one, should have some dwarf curtains on each side, over the shelves. The main corridor connecting the large new wards of the hospital has a concrete floor, much out of repair, and not altogether safe for cripples to walk upon with their crutches. No alterations have been made as regards the furniture and fittings of the wards. Everything, including the bedding, I found perfectly clean and in good order. The single woven-wire bedstead in use seems to be appreciated, and it might be well to provide a few more of the same kind for special cases. Those with an iron framework would be preferable. There is also here a want of two or three good basketwork perambulators or Bath-chairs, for use in the corridor and garden. At the time of my visit forty-eight male and nineteen female patients occupied beds in the hospital. I spoke to them individually and found that they were all contented; and that, with few exceptions, they were proper subjects for hospital treatment. Out-patients are seen twice a week, the number attending this morning being twenty-three. This is about the usual number. Since my last visit arrangements have been made for a church service every Sunday morning in the servants' hall. There is also a service conducted by ladies on Friday afternoons. I examined the books kept by the Steward and by the Dispenser, and requested the latter to obtain fuller particulars of the previous history and residence of patients when admitted; so that, in case of death, they might be more readily identified by distant relatives. It was satisfactory to find that a considerable decrease has taken place of late in the consumption of stimulants, the cost of which was becoming a serious item in the hospital expenditure. No inventory of hospital properties is yet kept. Patients, as a rule, retain their own valuables while in hospital: these are rarely handed to the Steward, as elsewhere, for safe custody. No increase appears in the amount of patients' payments which is worthy of notice. The charge has been raised from 3s. to 4s. a day. Private patients, occupying separate rooms, are rarely received. The hospital grounds are kept in excellent order, and the kitchen-garden is said to be very productive. Throughout the establishment there is evidence of careful and skilful management. 29th September, 1883.

I have again visited this hospital to-day, and have inspected every portion in company with Dr. Robinson, the Resident Medical Officer, and Mr. Bell, the Steward. There are to-day sixty-five inpatients : fifty-five of these are of the male sex, and fourteen females. In November last seventyJive beds were simultaneously occupied. The wards were in good order, but I noticed some untidiness, more particularly in the bath-rooms and lavatories. More chairs are needed in the wards, as the patients are in the habit of sitting on their beds, and thus soiling the counterpanes. Some very good invalid wheel-chairs have recently been purchased, and are found very useful. At some future time it would be very desirable to remove the present unsightly fireplaces, which form obstructions in the wards, and smoke very badly. Two fireplaces in the wall would answer every purpose, and the existing flues could be utilized. I noticed that a shower-bath has been added to the male surgical ward. The kitchen has been cleaned., and rearranged. An excellent new range with two boilers has been substituted for the old one, and I am informed that a great saving in fuel is the