15

H.—- 7a

cerned in its working. It is, however, a very straggling and large building for the number of patients which it is calculated to hold, and the work of keeping it in order cannot be easy : with a larger number of patients under treatment some additional assistance will probably be needed for thia purpose. Eegarding the books and collection of maintenance-money I have nothing special to remark. Dr. Garland is at. present the Visiting Medical Officer. 22nd October, 1883.

The hospital is to-day tenanted by ten patients, of whom eight are males and two females. All are proper cases for hospital treatment, and appear to be well and kindly treated. No complaint of any kind was made to me. I noticed several small improvements which have been carried out since my last visit. The passage leading to the bath-room and closet, through the male ward, has been permanently screened off, and the slop-sink removed from the bath-room to the water-closet. Additional fittings have been provided in the dispensary, which is also used as an operating-room, and is well suited for this purpose, having an excellent top-light. Two mechanical beds have been purchased. The garden in front of the hospital, and at its side, is being remodelled, and cleared of the large shrubs which obstructed the windows to some extent. The fever-hospital is now empty. A lobby has been erected at the back, and fitted with an earth-closet. There is now a broad band of cement concrete laid round this building, which will doubtless remedy to a great extent the dampness of its walls. A small flower-garden is in course of formation in front, and the whole has been enclosed with a neat barbed-wire fence, to keep out the cows, of which two are now kept. At a distance of some 25ft. from the fever-hospital a deep well has been sunk in the clay, and fitted with a timber cover and trap-door. This is intended for the disposal of excreta, rubbish, and ashes. A thick layer of earth should frequently be thrown in upon these matters, which may otherwise prove offensive, if not dangerous. The working staff remains unaltered, with the exception of a gardener temporarily engaged. The hospital is doing good service, and is well looked after by the Committee and Medical Officer. There is, however, a want of smartness and order in the wards and in the store-room, which makes it compare unfavourably with some other establishments of the kind. This is a matter easily within remedy. 17th April, 1884.

PIGTON. This hospital was visited by me on the 15th November, 1883, in company with the Eev. W. A. Whyte, one of the members of the Committee, and Dr. Scott, the Medical Officer. The number of patients' beds occupied was found to be eight. All the occupants were males, three being simply old and infirm. The largest number of patients on any one day has been nine. One woman only has been admitted during the last twelve months. I found the whole establishment and its belongings in excellent order. Additions have been made to the ward furniture in the shape of twelve comfortable chairs. I also saw two excellent new hair-mattresses, twelve new rug-counterpanes, and also some new blankets, linen, and personal clothing. The garden has been much improved, and is abundantly stocked with vegetables, flowers, and fruit. One pig is kept in a distant part of the grounds. All the work is done by the Warder and Matron, Mr. and Mrs. Hall, who ara thoroughly efficient and very industrious. They get very little assistance frerm the patients, and it has been found necessary, on account of the severity of some of the cases under treatment, to engage the services of a washerwoman once or twice weekly. Dr. Scott continues to render valuable service; and I saw one patient who is convalescent after an important operation, and another recovering from very severe injury to the leg. The bridge which gives the only means of approach to the hospital is dangerously rotten ; but steps are being taken to rebuild it without delay. I have to report that the hospital itself is in a very unsafe condition. The floor of the two lower wards are worm-eaten and perfectly rotten. The Matron recently had a narrow escape from severe accident, while carrying a patient, from this cause. On inspecting the piles beneath the floor, I found that many had entirely gone. The building is, I believe, supported in position by the verandah-posta only. This matter urgently demands attention, and I have requested that the Committeo obtain and forward an estimate of the cost of necessary repairs. 15th November, 1883.

QUEENSTOWN (FEANKTON). Inspected on the 11th October, 1883. Dr. Douglas accompanied me on my visit. The number of in-patients was eight, all of whom were males and proper objects for hospital treatment. I found the whole establishment scrupulously clean, as also the linen and bedding. An appearance of smartness and good order existed, improvement in this respect having taken place since my last visit. The patients are well cared for, and the Medical Officer is highly spoken of by them. Eegarding the buildings I have little to add to my last report. An entirely new hospital is very desirable. This need not bo on a very large scale to begin with, but should be so constructed and arranged as to be capable of future enlargement. Wards containing sixteen or eighteen beds in all would suffice, with the other necessary rooms and offices. It might be found practicable to retain some portion of the existing building for a time, as the new hospital might be erected on a different spot. The roofing is almost new, and could doubtless be utilized. The institution is a very popular one in the district, and is very well supported.

KEEPTON. This hospital I inspected on the sth November, finding it occupied by five in-patients. These were all proper hospital cases. The largest number at any one time has been ten. There are fourteen