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result. Some amount of renovation is needed in the old wards, which form very comfortable rooms. The operating-room adjoining these is not well placed, and is badly lighted. A room used for Divine service and other purposes is now a dining-room for the servants. It is small, and not very suitable, but the best that could be made available for this purpose. The concrete floor of the main corridor has been recently repaired. By means of a new gateway to the public road the mortuary is now available for the use of the city : no inconvenience is likely to result from this arrangement. There is no disiniecting-chamber at the hospital. The padded room is occasionally used for fumigating clothing. The daily maintenance-charge for patients has been increased from 3s. to 4s. per diem. lam glad to notice that the consumption of alcoholic stimulants, though still high, has been reduced considerably. 23rd April, 1884.

COEOMANDEL. The hospital situated near this town was inspected on the Bth December, 1883. I found two inpatients occupying beds. One of these was suffering from fracture of the leg ; the other was a little boy affected with disease of the hip-joint. The whole establishment I found in good order, and very clean. Since my last visit a notable improvement has taken place in this respect. New mattresses and bed-clothing have been provided for three beds. Bedside-lockers and a good commode have been purchased. . The walls have been papered and distempered, and the woodwork, both internal and external, painted. A table has also been procured for operations and examinations. In the Warder's room shelves have been provided for lineal, of which I saw a good stock. The kitchen-range is being fitted with a new boiler, and a filter has been procured. The garden is now well cultivated, and shows excellent crops of vegetables. The privies have been removed from an objectionable position near the stream, and placed behind the old cottage in the rear of the hospital. They are provided with pails, the contents of which are frequently buried. Since my last visit there have been as many as five in-patients on one occasion. The whole of the domestic work and nursing being performed by the Wardsman, Mr. Dunlop, the good condition in which I found everything is a certain proof of his industry and ability. The washing is taken away and done by an old woman in the neighbourhood ; but, beyond this, the Wardsman gets no assistance. Dr. McMullen having resigned his appointment, Dr. Langdon has succeeded him as Medical Officer. I had the pleasure of meeting him, and also a member of the Committee, at the hospital. .1 find that surgical instruments are provided by the Medical Officer. He appears to require a Mclntyre's splint for fractures, which should, I think, be procured by the Committee. My visit gave me much satisfaction. Bth December, 1883.

CEOMWELL. I have this day made my periodical inspection of the hospital, finding it occupied by three male patients only. One of these is convalescent from some trifling ailment, while another is simply feeble from old age, but endeavours to make himself useful about the place. The largest number of inmates at any time since my last visit has been eight. The hospital I found in good order throughout, and the patients made very comfortable. Some repairs are needed to the internal plastering of the wall; the woodwork also would be the better for painting. I noticed that two porches had been erected outside the outer doors at the back of the principal wards: these, when properly finished, will be improvements. A new stove also has been placed in one of the smaller wards, the fireplace ret giving sufficient warmth. Some good red rug-counterpanes have been procured, and the bedding may be stated to be very good. I saw some feather-pillows, two hairmattresses, an air-bed, and a water-pillow. The dinner to-day consisted of boiled mutton, carrots, potatoes, and sago pudding. Some of the more expensive vegetables are grown in a small kitchengarden, which is irrigated. The dryness of soil and want of water prevents more being done in this direction at present. A few trees have been planted. 13th October, 1883.

DUNEDIN. I have inspected every part of this large establishment, and conversed individually with all the patients. There are to-day 130 beds occupied: 82 by males and 48 by females. Twelve of the latter are inmates of the lying-in wards, where I also saw four infants. In addition to these numbers there are five chronic cases (male), who are boarded out by the hospital authorities at a cost of 10s. each per week. I regret to find that this class is (as might be expected) an increasing one, numbering, at present, twenty-five individuals. There would be no difficulty in inducing a much larger number to leave the hospital upon an allowance of 10s. weekly; but this system of outdoor relief is bad in principle, and should be kept within very narrow limits. It would be more judicious, and more economical in the long-run, to provide a, refuge where such cases could be maintained for about 6s. per head per week; and this establishment should not form part of the hospital, nor be situated in its immediate vicinity. The total number of hospital beds is nominally 168, but the practice is to keep one ward vacant, so as to enable a system of cleaning and disinfection to be constantly at work. At the present time painting and colouring is going on, two of the wards being nearly completed. The defective flooring is being thoroughly cleaned, the joints raked and filled with paraffine-wax. There can be no doubt that this is a wise precaution to take. I was pleased to notice a variety of improvements since my last visit. The large entrancehall has been rendered less draughty by the provision of folding-doors, and has been warmed by steam-coils of very good construction. The whole hospital benefits by this change. The basement of this hall has, moreover, been opened out, levelled, and rendered much drier by ventilation than