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clean and in good order. An excellent pianoforte has lately been presented by subscriptions ; but, as regards articles of ornment, the wards will not bear comparison with those of many other hospitals in the Colony. It is a matter for surprise and regret that the drains are not yet connected with those of the city, although a very large sum was voted by the Government for this purpose. The delay appears to be unaccountable, all expenditure thus far having been beyond the boundaries of the hospital estate. The creek, therefore, continues to be polluted as heretofore. On examing the books I find the consumption of alcoholic stimulants to have been very large, although a very sudden diminution appears to have occured after attention had been drawn to the matter by the Government. It appears strange that the laundress should require four ounces of brandy daily. I had the opportunity of going through the wards with Dr. Bobinson, the Eesident Medical Officer ; and I afterwards spoke privately to each patient. No complaints whatever reached me. Mr. Bell, the Steward, is a very efficient officer, and studies very closely the econonical working of the establishment. The books are well kept. The gardens are well cropped with vegetables and fruit, and the ornamental grounds in excellent order. 13th December, 1884.

COKOMAISrDEL. Accompanied by Dr. Atterbury, the Visiting Medical Officer, I inspected this hospital on 18th February, 1885. There were four patients under treatment. Of these, one was suffering from a severe attack of typhoid fever, and the others from severe accidents sustained in mining and bush work. The register shows that six beds were occupied at one time in July last. The warder is at present assisted by a man who takes charge of the fever-patient. Everything I found in very fair order, and the patients seemed quite contented. . The rooms were all clean, and a few improvements had been made since my last visit, such as the fixing of a small range (with boiler) in the kitchen. A new warder has been appointed since I was last at Coromandel. If it were practicable to secure the services of a married couple, the result could not fail to be beneficial in many ways. At the same time I wish it to be understood that I have at present no particular fault to find. The kitchen-garden has fallen into neglect ; but, with a number of severe cases to attend to, the warder can have had very little time at his disposal for this occupation. 20th January, 1885.

CEOMWELL. There are this day four patients under treatment in the hospital; three males and one female. All may be fairly considered as suitable cases for admission. In July last, nine cases were under treatment at the same time. There have been no cases of fever admitted since my last visit; but I may, nevertheless, point out the advisability of erecting a detached building for this special use. The building is maintained in good repair. The kitchen requires painting, but I am informed that arrangements have already been made for this work. Everything is very clean and orderly throughout the establishment. No complaints were made to me upon any subject. Dr. Stacpoole appears to give much attention to the patients, but his work must be materially increased by the unnecessary distance of the hospital from the township. I examined the register and found it properly entered up. 7th December, 1884.

DUNEDIN. On a portion of 30th April, and Ist and sth May, I have been engaged in an inspection of the Dunedin hospital. I have also had the opportunity of conversing with the Chairman of the Committee upon various matters relating to its management. There are now on the register one hundred and eighteen patients; seventy-eight males, and thirty-five females. Five males of this number are boarded out as they belong to the Eefuge class, and no accommodation exists for them in the hospital, where a large ward is entirely occupied by similar cases. The average number of beds occupied of late has been one hundred and ten. A large number of out-patients come for advice daily. Under this category there were, one hundred and seventy-five new cases admitted last month. The receipts during that period, from the shilling fees charged for medicine, amounted to £13 18s. The waiting-room for out-patients is too small; and when filled, as it was on the occasion of my visit, becomes stuffy and oppressive. Some relief will be afforded by the erection of the pnyposed ophthalmic-room, which will also enable the operating-theatre to be materially improved. The out-patients department, as well as the large entrance-hall, has been painted since my last visit, also some portions of the exterior of the building. I found the whole establishment in its usual good order. The bedding is not what it ought to be; many hard pillows, filled with straw, being in use still. I learn, however, that these will shortly be replaced by others of more suitable material, and that eighty-five hair mattresses have been ordered. The whole of the patients were spoken to individually, and no complaints were forth-coming. At present there is no infectious disease under treatment in the wards. One patient, convalescent from a mild attack of typhoid fever, will shortly be discharged. The sanitary state of the building is good; but the drainage system is radically bad; the earthenware pipes running