H,—7a

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comfortable than was formerly the case. The entrance-hall has been laid with cocoanut-fibre matting, and furnished with a filter and a clock. A number of surgical instruments have been ordered from England. I saw dinner served, and it appeared to be in all respects a satisfactory meal. The whole of the patients had an opportunity of conversing with me alone, and made no single complaint. I can report very favourably of the good order and perfect cleanliness which everywhere prevailed, and which reflect much credit upon the Steward and Matron. From inquiries made I find that the refuse is now collected in a large box, and frequently removed. The old well is still used for offensive matters, but these are well covered with earth, and the space is now almost entirely filled up. The Committee have evidently given the hospital much thought and attention of late. Some better bedsteads and mattresses should next engage their attention, and might be provided by degrees. 20th December, 1883.

WELLINGTON. I have been engaged during the 30th and 31st July in an inspection of this hospital, of which I have seen every portion. I have also examined the books and records, and conversed separately with all the patients. There are at present occupying beds 36 males and 12 females—total, 48; but several of these persons are not proper inmates of a hospital: in fact, the usefulness and the discipline of the establishment are seriously embarrassed by their presence. The fever-ward is tenanted by three women of this class, for whom it would be difficult to find accommodation elsewhere. Since my last report was written a complete and radical change has been made in the management. Dr. Hammond has been appointed Medical Officer, and Mrs. Moore Lady Superintendent. The nurses have been supplanted by probationers drawn from a higher order of society, a new steward and dispenser and a man cook having also taken office. No one who was conversant with the condition of the hospital six months ago can fail to be struck with the improvements which have resulted from the new regime. I ana glad, moreover, to be able to state that this good result goes beneath the mere surface, and extends to every little detail. Cleanliness and comfort prevail everywhere, and discipline is strictly adhered to. It would not have been difficult to foresee that such a system could not please every one. There will always be those who prefer to be slovenly ; and others, who have hitherto been permitted to do exactly as they pleased, naturally fret at any restraint, however wholesome. The patients, without exception, spoke well of their surroundings; the only complaint which I heard was from a man who said he was not permitted to go beyond the hospital grounds, though he admitted to me that he had never asked to be allowed to do so. Additions have been made to the furniture and fittings of the wards : presses for linen, cupboards for medicines and appliances; baskets containing instruments, &c, for emergencies ; workbaskets, ornaments with cut flowers, pictures, bedside lockers (which also form convenient tables for meals); and, in the ward-kitchens, dressers for crockery and other articles. Warm woollen rugs are provided for each patient; also flannel dressing-gowns and other wraps, neat in colour and design. All these additions have been planned, and many of them manufactured, at the hospital. Report-books lie upon the tables, in which entries of the condition of every patient, night and day, are made by the probationers, who also take their temperature daily with the thermometer. I.took the opportunity of visiting every room while dinner was served. Everything is now well cooked, and the mode of serving the meal leaves nothing to be desired. The kitchen and its offices are very clean and orderly, though somewhat bare of fittings at present: a great change for the better lias taken place in this department, as also in the store-rooms, which the Steward has succeeded in getting into good order. The large front corridor of the hospital has had the iloor stained and varnished at the sides. A number of growing plants have been introduced, and ornamental boards fixed showing the names of the visiting staff for the time being, and also the names of the various wards. In the back corridor presses of a simple kind are in course of construction by the carpenter for containing the clothing worn by patients when admitted. Opening into this corridor are the passages leading to the baths, lavatories, closets, and urinals. Although these are carefully attended to, they are by no means free from offensive odour, which the defective planning of this portion of the hospital permits to enter the wards at times. So-called earth-closets are in use, and are provided with a mixture of spent gas-lime and earth. Wator-closets would be far preferable here, and, in fact, everywhere else, if a good water-supply and system of drainage be available. The floors of the urinals are of an absorbent concrete, and contribute to the offensive smell. I have made some suggestions to Dr. Hammond with the view of modifying or removing this evil. The supply of hot water is as unsatisfactory as ever : a large quantity of fuel is used, and a prodigious quantity of water wasted, under the present plan. One of the two furnaces is falling to pieces, and it would be well to remove both and replace them by a single good boiler in a central position. The advantages which the hospital now offers' in the way of treatment during illness are so great that, when better known, a demand for more accommodation must arise on the part of those who are able to pay for the same. At present there is onlj one private room available, and this may at any moment be needed for the isolation of a troublesome or noisy patient. The other private rooms are occupied by the Lady Superintendent, and by the Steward and Dispenser. It would be found practicable to make the latter a non-resident officer; while the former should, have apartments in such a position that, while within call, she would at times be free from the noises, bad smells, and Other concomitants of a residence close to the door of a large ward. The very successful introduction of the probationer system will also necessitate some structural addition of inexpensive character. These nurses take the greatest possible interest in their calling, which they have chosen from other than pecuniary motives only ; and I have no hesitation in stating that a foundation is here being laid for a considerable permanent benefit to the colony. The system, however, caunot much longer be continued unless a few small bedrooms, a large sitting-room, and bath, lavatory,