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expected to attend the obstetric cases, when necessary. I learn that sixteen confinements took place here last year. An additional nurse has recently been appointed, which addition to the staff, I consider necessary, and recommend accordingly for approval. Ist March, 1885.

BLENHEIM. I have been occupied to-day in inspecting this hospital, which has now nine patients. Seven of these are of the male sex ; the other two are females, one of them being a young girl. No serious case is at present under treatment, all being able to get up during the day. One of the patients has lost an arm, near the shoulder-joint, from severe injury in a flax mill. I find that only one case of fever has been admitted during the present year, but there have been several instances of diphtheria. Everything was in good order and clean. Games, books, and papers are liberally supplied, and general contentment prevailed. Some small improvements have been carried out in the hospital ; but these are, very properly, of a temporary nature only, the building having been condemned as unfit for further use. The garden shows a good crop of vegetables ; the result of the Warder's labour. The Committee are fortunate in having the services of so good a man ; evidence of his efficiency and industry being everywhere noticeable. He is assisted by his wife and a young servant. The largest number of patients, simultaneously treated, has been fifteen. I visited the site, newly acquired by exchange, of the intended new hospital. The distance from town, (one-and-three-quarter miles) will, I fear, be found troublesome. The land appeared to be of poor quality, and its extent unnecessarily large. Apart from these circumstances I have no objection to raise as to its suitableness for its purpose. It is to be hoped that the new building will be commenced very shortly. An eligible tender for the whole work has been accepted, but a further subsidy from the Government appears to be a matter of necessity before the contract can be let. I made a number of enquiries as to the finances and general working of the hospital, and received much useful information from Mr Dodson, M.H.K., and from Dr. Cleghorn, the visiting Medical Officer. 31st December, 1884.

CHKISTCHUKCH. The hospital contains to-day, sixty-seven patients, viz:—fifty males and seventeen females. There is accommodation for a much greater number, and several of those who are now inmates would, more properly, be located in a Eefuge. All of these patients I saw and conversed with, finding general contentment to prevail. No cases of infectious disease are at present under treatment: syphilis excepted, of which there are several at this time. A great deal has lately been done in renovating the buildings, both externally and internally. The wards would present a handsome appearance were it not for the massive, sarcophagns-like, fire-places which take up so much room in their midst, and which are the cause of much trouble from smoke and dirt. Two open fire-places in the walls of each ward would be preferable ; and I recommend that the experiment be tried in one of the wards. The cost would be trifling only. I found everything very clean and orderly ; the bedding particularly so. New counterpanes, in colours, with very neat patterns, have been introduced with good effect. The other alterations calling for remark are the construction of a meat larder, beneath the water-tank staging, near the kitchen ; and the re-building of the three bridges across the creek. The former was a very desirable improvement, and the latter was rendered necessary by decay. The work was done by home labour, with the assistance of some of the " unemployed "of the district. As regards the hospital drainage :—The town sewer has been constructed, with Government aid, as far as the boundary gates ; but no connection has yet been made with any hospital drains. Liquid refuse is discharged into the creek as heretofore. The quantity is small, but the practice is very objectionable. The grounds and gardens are kept with the usual neatness, and present a very charming view. 20th April, 1885.

There are to-day fifty-eight patients under treatment, of which number forty-two are males and sixteen females. These numbers are unusually small, and a good many are either incurable or chronic cases. Since my last inspection the three large wards, with the adjoining small rooms and offices, have been thoroughly cleaned and painted. In two of them the floor has also been stained and waxed. The work is well done ; but the appearance is " heavy," owing to an injudicious selection of colors, and the use of the same tint both for the dado and the wall above it. The large corridor, the older wards, and other portions of the buildings, have also been entirely renovated in paint or distemper. This work was done cheaply by " unemployed " workmen, who received from four shillings to four shilling and sixpence per day. The laundry is now undergoing a like process. No fever-cases have been admitted for some time past; but I inspected a plot of land, some four-and-a-half acres in extent, lately acquired from the Domain Board for the purposes of a detached hospital for infections diseases. The site is a very appropriate one, and the ground has been cleared (also by the " unemployed ") and is now chiefly planted with a crop of potatoes. I visited every part of the establishment, and found everything