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through the basement frequently becoming choked, and giving much trouble and offensive odour when being cleared. I have given this matter some attention; and, with some modifications, have approved of a plan prepared by the Public Works Department, for remedying the present defective arrangements. I find the books properly kept. The cash book shows that £44 was received last month, from maintenance-money and other sources. Some small additions are needed to the stock of surgical instruments.

I have this day inspected every portion of the Dunedin hospital, with its out-buildings and grounds ; and have also examined the register and other books, and conversed separately with every patient. Of these there are now one hundred and twenty-four under treatment; viz : —■ eighty-one males and forty-three females. Of these some twenty-five belong to the chronic or refuge class, and five of them are boarded out at a cost to the hospital of ten shillings each per week. Some diminution is apparent in the number of out-patients, which may be attributed to the restrictions now imposed upon this class ; a payment of Is. being demanded for each prescription dispensed. Failing this payment patients are required to make a declaration of their poverty before a magistrate. The shilling fees reach a total of between £9 and £10 monthly. Since my last visit I notice that many improvements have been carried out.—The basement has been much improved by better lighting and ventilation ; the central part has been cleared and levelled ; two new staircases from the central hall above are now available for the male and female servants, who take their meals below. A very suitable room has also been fitted up in the basement for the separate treatment of excited or violent patients. The Lying-in Ward has been improved by the addition of a bath-room, lavatory, and closet; but it is not, in my opinion, suitable for its present use. A separate building would be far prefer able. Nothing has yet been done in the erection of a ward for children. The proposed disinfecting chamber, in connection with the laundry, has not yet been commenced. The operating-room has been enlarged by throwing into it an adjoining Warder's room. Some additional furniture has been procured, such as rocking and other chairs ; new bedsteads, &c. I found the whole establishment in very good order and scrupulously clean in every part. No complaints were made to me by any of the patients ; but, on the other hand, I received assurances from them that they were well and kindly treated. The Medical Officer was absent at the time of my last visit, but I received all the information I desired from Mr. Burns, the Steward and Secretary, 29th November, 1884.

DUNSTAN. The Dunstan hospital contains this day four patients; viz : —two males and two females. In April last seven were under treatment simultaneously. This is the largest number since my last report. I find everything very clean and in excellent order. The patients are thoroughly satisfied with their treatment. Some small improvements have lately been effected—the kitchen has been painted, and the garden further improved by additional flower-beds. There is a very promising crop of vegetables to be seen. A new drain has been made to take away the liquids from the kitchen-sink, and which formerly were offensive in hot weather. A chronic patient, long on the hospital books, has been sent to his friends in England by public subscription. Bth December, 1884.

G-ISBOKNE. This hospital was inspected by me on August 15th, 1884. I found seven men and two women resident as patients. One of the men is very aged, and appears to be retained on condition that he makes himself useful in the garden. The others are all proper subject for hospital treatment. One of the males occupies the private ward, for which he pays at the rate of £2 2s. per week. All appeared to be satisfied with their treatment and surroundings. I found the whole establishment clean and in good order. The bedding is well attended to, but some additional mattresses of a better kind are wanted, as well as some feather or kapoc pillows. I was glad to learn that two woven wire mattresses had been ordered in Auckland. A few unfrained pictures and some texts have been placed upon the walls of the wards. There is scope here for many more ornamental and useful items, such as cut-flowers, books, and objects of interest. A few volumes of books are to be seen in the corridor, but no addition seems to have been made to them for some time past. The kitchen and offices are kept very neatly. A number of shelves have been put up by the Warder, who, with his wife as Matron, entered the hospital service about two months since. I was glad to notice that he has also devoted himself to the improvement of the grounds, having made a new road of approach, put up several gates, planted a number of trees, and commenced the formation of a vegetable and fruit garden. No fever patients have required treatment in the hospital of late, and the Committee have let the detached hospital to a weekly tenant, at a rental of 155., with the understanding that immediate possession is to be resumed if needed. I consider that this is a judicious step. The building will be kept warm, dry, and well ventilated without requiring any attention on the part of the Warder or Matron. Before leaving, I had an opportunity of meeting with the Medical Officer, Dr. Pollen, who appears to devote a good deal of time to the hospital patients, August 16th, 1884.