H.—l3

2

At Napier the Committee is elected by subscribers, whose subscriptions, whilst entitling the donors or their nominees to gratuitous treatment in case of illness, are expended by the Committee, who render no accounts, and who throw the whole cost of management and maintenance on the Government. The Government are unrepresented on the Committee. The Nelson Hospital is managed by a Committee of the City Council. The Christchurch and Akaroa Hospitals by a Board of Management appointed by the Government. The Ashburton Hospital has hitherto been managed by the Borough Council on the pound-for-pound principle, but that body has recently thrown it on the hands of the Government. The Waimate Hospital is managed by the County Council. The Timaru and Dunedin Hospitals by Committees appointed by Government. The Hokitika and Westport Hospitals by Committees elected by subscribers. At Hokitika two members are appointed by the Government. All the other hospitals in the colony are conducted on the voluntary system, with Government subsidies. Charitable Aid. Charitable aid in Auckland is dispensed by a paid officer of the Government. At the Thames by a Committee of the Borough Council. At Napier by a private gentleman, who acts gratuitously at the request of the Government. At New Plymouth by a paid agent. At Wellington by the Benevolent Institution, who last year received £2,200 grants in aid from Government, besides £277 subscriptions from the public, with pound-for-pound subsidy from Government, making £2,754 in all. Hutt, Wairarapa, and West Coast charities make up the total expenditure of £3,328 15s. Bd. At Nelson the distribution is by a paid agent of the Government. In Canterbury by the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board appointed by the Government, and aided by a paid officer of the Government. In other parts of the colony charity is distributed by local associations, who collect subscriptions from the public and from local bodies, which amounts are subsidised pound for pound by the Government. Orphanages. Payments to orphanages form a very considerable item in the charitable expenditure. Those at the Thames and at Lyttelton are maintained solely at the cost of the vote, — £ s. d. £ s. d. The Thames cost ... ... ... ... 45110 8 Less recoveries from parents ... ... 44 19 5 Net ... 406 11 3 Lyttelton cost ... ... ... ... 2,450 6 2 Less recoveries from parents ... ... 171 2 8 Net ... ... ... 2,279 3 6 St. Mary's, Ponsonby ; St. Joseph's, Wellington; and St. Mary's, Nelson, are Catholic institutions, to which head-money is paid for children sent by Government. St. Stephen's, Parnell, is on the pound-for-pound principle, with head-money in addition ; and Motueka Orphanage receives Bs. per week for children sent by Government. The net payments last year were — £ s. d. Thames 406 11 3 Lyttelton .. ... ... ... 2,279 3 6 St. Mary's, Ponsonby ... ... ... 815 19 8 St. Joseph's. Wellington ... ... ....- ... ... 375 9 0 St. Mary's, Nelson ... ... ... ... ... 2,249 9 0 St. Stephen's, Parnell ... ... ... ... ... 172 1 8 Motueka Orphanage ... ... ... ... ... 571 14 7 £6,870 8 8 Building—Repairs and Additions. No new buildings have been undertaken during last financial year. Votes were taken for £2,000 on the consolidated revenue and £4,000 on loan, but the greater part of the latter sum was not spent, although engagements were made under it for repairs and additions. A fresh vote has been put on the Estimates this year of £6,000, the greater part of which will be required to meet last year's unfulfilled engagements. The Public Works Department have the control of the details. Wellington, October, 1884. G. S. Cooper.