H.—7a

18

whole room, with the adjoining lobby and passage, has been lined with match-boarding and varnished. The kitchen has been improved by throwing into it the store-room, and constructing a new one to replace it. The locally-made range continues to prove both satisfactory and economical in its working. A very good mortuary has recently been built, and fitted with suitable appliances. The old mortuary has been converted into a very good linen store, where I saw some good new blankets, and a small, but sufficient, stock of bed-linen. In process of construction are four well-arranged pail-closets, situated near the back of the hospital. The old linen-room forms a good and quiet bedroom for the Night Wardsman. The female wards were empty. Two of the small rooms here should be thrown into one. Some of the counterpanes here are much stained with lotions, and one was very greasy, but otherwise all was in good order. The kitchen-garden is well kept and well stocked. The surgery and dispensary are in very good order. About six patients attend here daily as out-patients. It would be well to keep their prescriptions in a book, and not on the loose papers now in use. _ A better form of register for in-patients is also very desirable. The supply of stores and rations is carefully checked, and a diet-scale has recently been adopted and posted up in each ward. The amount of alcoholic liquors consumed is not large, when the severity of the cases under treatment is taken into account. Throughout the establishment I found cleanliness, and evidences of good order and comfort. The patients themselves (without exception) spoke well of their surroundings. I would draw attention to the unsafe condition of a large portion of the verandahfloor, which is very rotten; and I would recommend that linoleum floor-cloth be laid over a portion of the floor of the surgical ward, where dressings of a greasy nature are constantly in use. Some effort should also be made to increase the small and old stock of books for reading. Of the painstaking services of Dr. Payne I had ocular demonstration during my visit. That the Steward is an able officer, and diligent in the performance of his duties, lam satisfied. The general condition of the hospital, and the improvements recently effected, reflect great credit upon the Committee of Management. 12th December, 1883.

TIM ABU. My inspection of this hospital was made this morning. At present only sixteen beds are occupied by patients, of whom thirteen are males and three females. Some of these are of the chronic or refuge class. Advantage has been taken of the emptiness of the wards to give them a thorough cleaning. The largo male ward is at present being painted throughout in a very tasteful manner, and the floor will be planed and re-varnished. The whole establishment is in excellent order and beautifully clean. The bedding is good and well attended to. None of the patients made any complaint to me, though I gave them all an opportunity of doing so. Dinner was served while I was present: it consisted of boiled mutton, beef tea, potatoes, carrots, and rice pudding. All were well cooked and sufficient in quantity. The vegetables are procured from the kitchen-garden which is well kept and cropped. The grounds generally show that much time and trouble are expended upon them. They have a very ornamental and pleasing appearance. I noticed that a thatched summerhouse had been added since my last visit. The buildings seem to be in good repair. No alteration has been made except the division of the old female ward into a bedroom and a workroom, as formerly recommended by me. The bedroom provided for the Medical Officer is very unsuitable : it might be materially improved by the insertion of some glass in the verandah roof outside the window, and by removing the partition which separates it from the Steward's office. This latter is a mere cupboard, in which gas has constantly to be used. A more suitable room should be built at the back of the corridor, adjoining the kitchen, for the Steward's use. The dispensary, which is used as an operating-room also, should be furnished with a glass lantern in the roof. The present lighting is very insufficient. Another want to which I will draw attention is a proper mortuary. The present wooden building is destitute of water-supply and any fittings whatever. _ It is moreover badly placed, and is too low down for drainage. A better site exists on the west side of the grounds, near the public road; and, if erected here, the new mortuary might without inconvenience serve also for the town. I examined the books and found them well kept. The consumption of stimulants has not been large of late, and colonial draught ale takes the place of bottled ale and stout. A great error has been in the magnitude of this hospital, which can make up in all seventy-three beds. For some time past the largest number of in-patients has not exceeded twenty-six; and the trouble and expense of keeping it throughout in its present very creditable state must be very great. Mr. and Mrs. Jowsey, the Steward and Matron, are indefatigable in the discharge of their duties, and quite capable of dealing with a much larger number of patients. Dr. Drew has held the appointment Medical Officer since May last. Hβ appears to be much interested in his work, which he regrets is at present so limited. I may state that the average number of out-patients is thirty per month. 23rd October, 1883.

I have inspected to-day every part of this hospital, which I find in most creditable order, and scrupulously clean throughout. The grounds have a very attractive appearance, being beautifully kept, and well stocked with flowers. The kitchen-garden also appears to be very productive, and to be made very valuable to the establishment. There are at present sixteen patients only under treatment; of whom eleven are males and five females. Three, at least, of this number belong to the chronic class. I satisfied myself, by observation and individual inquiry, that all are very kindly and carefully treated. There is a want of a dining-room for convalescent patients of the male sex : this might be furnished by throwing into one two small wards which could be spared for this use. The mortuary remains unaltered. A new one should be erected-on a convenient site, where it would also serve for the purpose of the town, having an approach from the neighbouring high road.