H.—9

14

TIMAEU HOSPITAL. The number of patients treated last year in this hospital was—males, 158; females, 68 : total, 225. The daily average was 26-63. The number of out-patients was—males, 267 ; females, 314 : total, 581. The number of deaths was fourteen. The total sum paid for patients' maintenance was £163 9d. 9d. The daily average cost of patients was, making allowance for repayments, 4s. Bd. The drug bill amounted to £240 Bs. 5d., which includes £54 12s. Bd. for ice: total for the year, £2,424. This does not include a sum of £458 ss. 4d. for building, &c. Having last year commented unfavourably on the cost of the staff required by the area over which the buildings are spread, I feel bound to call attention this year to the fact that the cost of the staff for salaries was £849, as against £868 in the much smaller hospital of the Thames. As regards the comfort of the patients and the care and attention with which they are treated, they are such as to make the institution only too attractive. 28th March, 1888.

WAIMATE HOSPITAL. This hospital is one of the best in the colony, and the administration is satisfactory in every respect. The in-patients for the year numbered 96, and the out-patients 100. The amount of maintenancemoney received for the year was £95, and the amount of money due by patients is £146. All out-patients are required to produce an order signed by two trustees. 17th March, 1888.

WAIPAWA HOSPITAL. A splendid new ward, containing fifteen beds and admirably furnished, has been added to this hospital since my last report. The ventilation of the old part of the building, which I reported to be so defective, has been so thoroughly attended to that now there is far too much of it. The beds are very clean and comfortable, and an air of cosiness and tidiness pervades the whole institution. On the day of my visit there were ten male patients and one female. The number admitted during the year was 154. The maintenance-money received was £70; the number of 10s. tickets sold was 240; voluntary subscriptions amounted to £40. The total expenditure for the year was £1,804, from which £235, spent in buildings, must be deducted. 6th April, 1888.

WAKATIPU HOSPITAL. Though the oldest of all the Southland hospitals, and, with the exception, of course, of Invercargill, the most important, this hospital has had less money spent on it in proportion to its usefulness than any other. Surely the Board having put up such hospitals at Eiverton and Arrowtown will not any longer delay doing justice to this one. With regard to the management of Dr. Douglass and his staff I have nothing but praises to offer.

WANGANUI HOSPITAL. I inspected this hospital twice during the year, and on each occasion I found everything going on most satisfactorily. The amount received from patients for the year was £114 ; the total expenditure for the year was £1,405. The number of patients on the day of my visit was twenty-one. Bth April, 1888.

WELLINGTON HOSPITAL. The management of the hospital continues to deserve the highest commendation. The new wing, which has been suitably furnished by the ladies of the city, contains a children's ward, and suitable accommodation for the nursing staff, as well as an office and a waiting-room for out-patients. The defective sanitary arrangements have been remedied, so that now there is almost nothing left to wish for, and, certainly, nothing to find fault with. The in-patients for the year were 614. The out-patients were 911, with 50 re-applications; total 961.

"WESTPOET HOSPITAL. This hospital contained twelve patients on the date of my inspection. The in-patients for the year numbered seventy, and the out-patients forty. I find considerable expense was incurred uselessly in sending three cancer cases to Nelson. The Borough and County Council are somewhat tardy in aying their contributions, and considerable inconvenience results. For instance, of the levy of £470 on the county and £321 on the borough made last April only £130 was paid till this month of January. The introduction of gas would be a great boon to the hospital. Dr. Thorpe is very attentive to his patients, and the warder and his wife are highly commended by all the inmates. 27th January, 1888.