H.—■ 7a

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available beds. Out-patients can attend daily, but are few in number. There are at present four on the list. Payments are fairly collected, but many of those admitted are destitute at the time. The expenditure is met by subscriptions, entertainments, and the Government subsidy. No appeal for pecuniary assistance has been made to the County Council since January, 1882. The books are well kept, and were examined by me. The hospital in every part was found in excellent order. The wards looked particularly cheerful, having received a. number of new pictures, which the Steward , mounts on stretchers and varnishes. Every patient expressed his gratitude to me for kind attention received from the staff. Outside the building I noticed that the garden was beautifully kept, and that some improvement had been effected by.levelling a portion of it. Two large additional rainwater tanks have been fixed ; and I was pleased to find that the outdoor closets had been altered, in accordance with my suggestions. They were perfectly clean and inoffensive, the soil being now collected in pans and buried. The whole establishment shows signs of industry and good management, and supplies an undoubted want.

ETVEBTON. The hospital here situated I have this day visited, finding it occupied by seven males and three females, all proper subjects for hospital treatment. For some time past there have been as many as eleven patients ; and the hospital only contains nine beds : it has therefore been found necessary to place two men in the detached fever-ward, their only furniture (in addition to bedsteads) being a small form and a box. The Warder and his wife continue to earn the good-will of the patients by their kind attention and treatment, and it is very evident that the Medical Officer, Dr. Young, is thought highly of. One young man is convalescent from the severe operation of excision of the knee-joint. It is evident that additional accommodation is required here, if the hospital is to remain on its present footing, and not become merely a receiving-ward ; in which case the establishment at Invercargill must be very much enlarged. An additional ward for six beds, with a small single ward, a bath-room, nurse's room, and water-closet, should be erected on the ground adjoining the present ward for male patients. No funds arc available for this object. The whole establishment I found in good order. One or two beds had only a single sheet, as I pointed out to the Warder. He informed me that a sufficient stock of linen was provided. The water-supply is small, and consists of rainwater. It has been contemplated to clean out and use the well. Before this is done the neighbouring drain should be diverted from its present dangerous position. I took the opportunity of having an interview with the Secretary, Mr. Cassells, and with Dr. Young, from both of whom I derived useful information. 9th October, 1883.

BOSS. This evening I made a careful inspection of this hospital. There are now four male patienta occupying beds. All of them are proper hospital cases. The female ward is empty, but was recently tenanted by two patients. As many as eight beds have been simultaneously occupied since my former visit. I found everything in good order and scrupulously clean. A considerable change for the better was everywhere apparent. Various improvements have been effected; and the Committee are now engaged about others, which will be paid for out of the small Government grant of money recently made for that purpose. The kitchen has now been lined with matchboarding and made much more comfortable. Various small matters have improved the appearance of the wards; which, however, require some comfortable chairs and better furniture as soon as funds are available. A portion of the female ward still serves —very inconveniently —as a dispensary. I had the pleasure of an interview with the Committee, and took the opportunity of pointing out some improvements which might be effected at a trifling cost. The bath-room, being a detached building behind the hospital, is of very little service. It could readily be removed to the back of the female ward, and would make a good dispensary. A good bath-room can be made of the old dispensary, which has long been in disuse on account of its awkward situation. This room is readily accessible to the wards, and is only separated by a partition from a copper, which is used, for heating the bath. It is intended to paint, paper, and varnish the interior of the hospital, and to repair the verandah and the drain. These and other matters will absorb nearly the whole of the grant. The Medical Officer's house badly requires to be rebuilt (as regards the older portion). The expense will not be great, and it is to be hoped that means of carrying out this necessary work will be provided next year. Dr. Collins has held the office of Medical Attendant for the past nine months. It is very evident that he gives the hospital his best attention, and that the Committee take a good deal of interest in this institution, which serves not merely for the township, but for a large extent of country farther south. 3rd April, 1884.

BOTOEUA. I have been engaged for the past few days in an examination of the portion of the new township set apart as a sanatorium. Since my former visit in April, 1883, a great deal has been done in remodelling the bathing arrangements, and in planning and erecting buildings for the accommodation of patients and attendants. It is, however, a matter for regret that so much delay has taken place in these matters that the present season will be practically lost. ' The refectory now in course of erection will contain a dining-hall, with kitchen and offices, as well as a dispensary and consulting-room. It is proposed to provide lodging for twelve patients in two adjacent cottages. Plans for these have been prepared, but no commencement has yet been made with their building. An excellent four-roomed cottage has been provided for the bath-attendanta; and another, now occupied by workmen, can subsequently be adapted for patients' use. The bathing-pavilion has