21

H.—7a

and other accommodation be provided for their use. In connection with this subject it may be well to mention that the salary of a probationer is only £25 a year, whereas an ordinary nurse would cost twice that amount. Some provision should be made elsewhere for the refuge-patients ; and, if the fever-hospital is to be used for the two sexes simultaneously, common' decency demands the erection of another ward. My visit has given me much pleasure, and I have seen abundant evidence of the administrative ability of Dr. Hammond, and of the undoubted good qualifications of the Lady Superintendent for the responsible position she now occupies. Ist August, 1883.

WESTPOKT. Theeb are at present in this hospital six patients, all of whom are of the male sex. Three of these are of the chronic or refuge class. The total number of beds is twelve ; but fourteen patients have been treated simultaneously since my last visit. Altogether there have been sixty-six inpatients since the last inspection, three of whom have died. The register is properly kept, as also is a book containing sums due by patients for treatment and maintenance. These amounts are collected, whenever practicable, by the Secretary. An inventory of all hospital properties has now been taken. : The condition of the hospital, as regards order and cleanliness, is very creditable ; and I noticed many improvements which have been carried out. The piles supporting the building have been renewed, and the window-sashes repaired. Paths have been formed in the garden, grass-seed sown, and flowers planted ; the kitchen-garden is very well cultivated and cropped. A commodious shed has been erected behind the kitchen, serving for a coal and wood store, and for other uses. The kitchen has been cleaned, the doors painted, and a cupboard added. In the wards I noticed some additional unframed pictures, and a new commode (on wheels). There is much, however, still needed. The large ward is very draughty and cold at times, and has a bare and povertystricken look. Some of the bedsteads require replacing by new ones, or, failing this, new iron laths should be fitted where necessary. Several of the straw-mattresses are quite worn out, and, though very clean, are full of holes. Some additional counterpanes are also needed, and a few comfortable chairs. It would be well to replace the kitchen-range, which is small and much worn, by an American stove of good construction. The storage for rainwater is not larger than is absolutely necessary, and one of the iron tanks is completely worn out. Some commencement should be made in procuring a stock of surgical instruments and appliances. No proper accommodation exists for convalescent patients : a room in which they could sit, read, and take their meals, away from other offensive cases, would be a great boon. There can be no doubt whatever that this hospital supplies a want and does good work ; it is also evident that the imperfect appliances existing are made the best possible use of. The patients receive very careful medical attention, and are otherwise well cared for. The dinner to-day consisted of good broth, boiled beef, parsnips, and potatoes. I could hear no complaints whatever. 3rd November, 1883.

Table I.—Showing Receipts on account of Hospitals during the Year 1883.

Hospitals. Subscriptions and Donations. Received -p o ~- i * „_,„ Received Received From Rents from 7?,w™ ( n „? from Borough from County and other Patients. uovernment. Council. Council. Revenuo. Total. £ s. d. £ s. d. 54 19 0 70 19 6 158 4 3 323 7 9 107 11 8 19 10 0 357 15 6 £ s. d. 318 17 10 244 6 6 436 5 3 5,747 0 9 353 2 11 129 2 1 4,707 1 8 301 6 0 266 9 8 G,775 18 0 535 2 9 594 18 6 1,837 13 4 80 1 6 2,455 19 0 1,062 11 1 492 0 0 974 11 3 225 2 7 3,451 5 5 215 11 1 1,727 0 0 728 3 3 771 2 9 £ s. d. £, a. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 373 16. 10 896 14 9 1,264 9 6 6,276 2 8 460 14 7 259 12 8 5,064 17 2 503 1 4 754 14 2 7,210 0 9 1,187 12 10 1,454 5 1 3,320 13 10 247 7 6 3,093 19 2 2,087 19 3 837 5 6 1,628 0 8 ■448 17 2 5,082 4 6 701 17 7 1,915 5 6 927 12 2 1,615 16 6 Akaroa Arrowtown Ashburton Auckland Blenheim Charleston Chrisfcchureh Coromandel Cromwell Dunodin Dunstan Gisborne ' 381 ' 8 9 193 10 8 91 9 7 70 0 0 600"0 0 200 0 0 12*3 C 19 11 0 176 15 4 367 17 2 77 9 4 424 7 9 134 8 3 100 5 8 577 11 0 67 1 0 83 5 0 93 9 0 5 5 0 133 19 8 9 10 0 143 13 6 94 12 7 162 18 6 198 8 11 26 11 0 2o"o 0 25 0 0 1718 0 9 15 0 Groymouth Greytown Hokitika Invercargill Kumara Lawrence Masterton Napier .. Naseby Nelson New Plymouth .. Oa.mara Patea* .. Picton .. Queeiistown Eeefton Riverton !ftoss Thames Timaru .. Waimatie Waipawa Wangarrai Wellington Wosfcport 493 1 10 63d- 0 11 849 6 0 85 7 G 493 2 2 771 5 10 230 0 6 434 17 3 214 4 7 1,131 0 5 336 13 11 25 0 0 7 5 0 25 0 0 50 0 0 ioo"o o 6 3 6 7 12 6 61 13 0 60 13 4 50 0 0 10 10 0 40 0 0 .34"2 0 290 0 0 25 0 0 66 5 2 1 0 0 489 17 9 2d"7 0 328 5 0 0 8 0 288 10 11 562 3 6 213 16 6 123 7 0 132 4 G 42 9 9 l>5 2 1 193 1G 11 79 15 3 10 10 0 37 5 0 6 15 0 111 1 G 109 15 6 41 0 6 4 0 0 66 3 10 180 10 1 111 17 9 64 10 3 0 18 0 212 1 9 120 6 6 156 3 7 2 835 2 4 432 12 9 23:) 14 6 311 7 0 1,992 1 1 2,099 3 4 881 4 3 951 10 ' 4 863 10 10 5,916 16 11 1,092 8 6 10 10 0 15 0 449 19 1 370 9 I, 89 19 0 165 5 2 1,195 3 10 1,484 1 3 694 10 6 638 14 0 2,521 15 8 2,322 3 2 1,063 7 6 1,459 17 6 1,658 18 10 6,139 8 8 1,250 0 0 25 0 0 200 0 0 50 0 0 331 19 10 5"3 5 315 10- 3 250 0 0 397 14 0 1 10 6 Totals 9,209 9 7 4,454 4 G 49,833 2 2 703 5 3 1,888 4 0 2,058 15 10 68,206 7 9 * No return re* :eived.