H.—22.

I was much pleased with the admirable comfort, cleanliness, and order prevailing in this hospital. In addition to the laundry and drying-room provided last year, some small storerooms have been recently added, which are a great convenience. The garden and grounds have been carefully laid out and planted, and the summer outdoor aspect promises well. Miss Dougherty speaks highly of her nursing staff, and she is certainly very kind to them. There were twenty-nine patients on the date of inspection.

PATEA HOSPITAL. Number of patients on 31st March, 1896 ... ... Admitted during the year ... ... ... ... 21 Total under treatment ... ... ... 21 Discharged ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 Died ... ... ... ... ... ... Eemaining on 31st March, 1897 ... ... ... ... 1 Sea;. —15 males, 6 females. Locality from which Patients came. —Kakaramea to Waverley. Nationality. —English, 8 ; Irish, 2 ; New Zealand, 10 ; Swede, 1. Religion. —No record. Total collective days' stay in hospital, 448; individual average days' stay, 21-33. Daily average cost per head, 15s. 4d; less patients' payments, 14s. 7£d. Eevenue and Expenditube. Revenue. & s. d. I Expenditure. £ s. d. From Government ... ... 156 5 11 Eations ... ... ... 78 10 8 Local bodies ... ... 150 0 0 Wines, spirits, &c. ... ... 316 0 Subscriptions and donations ... 770 Surgery and dispensary ... ... 13150 Eents ... ... ... ... 4 0 0 Fuel and light ... ... ... 19 7 0 Patients'payments ... ... 15 17 0 Bedding and clothing ... ... 10 0 0 Balance from last year ... ... 54 10 3 Furniture and earthenware ... 216 3 Washing and laundry ... ... 050 Salaries and wages ... ■ ... 191 13 4 Eepairs ... ... ... 13 14 2 Printing, advertising, postage, and stationery ... .. ... 6 5 1 Insurance ... ... ... 1 14 6 Other expenses ... ... ... 1 17 4 Total ... ... £388 0 2 Total ... ... £343 14 4 This hospital can accommodate nine patients, but on the 6th May it contained only two. It was clean, and, though very plainly furnished, was comfortable. It is looked after by Mr. and Mrs. King, the latter a very competent nurse, with a certificate from Guy's Hospital. Everything was going on smoothly. I was not able to meet Dr. Harvey, the new doctor, as he was absent in the country.

PICTON HOSPITAL. Number of patients on 31st March, 1896 ... ... ... 11 Admitted during the year ... ... ... ... 25 Total under treatment ... ... ... 36 Discharged ... ... ... ... ... ... 19 Died ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 Eemaining on 31st March, 1897 ... ... ... ... 12 Sex. —30 males, 6 females. Localities from which Patients came. —Picton Hospital District, Havelock, Wellington, Wakamarina, Deep Creek, Kaituna, Tuamarina, Mahakipawa, Sounds, Masterton, Westport. Country. —England, 11 ; Scotland, 3 ; Ireland, 5 ; New Zealand, 12 ; aboriginal native, 1; Denmark, 1; Portugal, 1; Wallace Island, 1; Hamburg, 1. Religion. —Church of England, 22; Soman Catholic, 7; Presbyterian, 3; unknown, 4. Total collective days' stay in hospital, 3,970 ; individual average days' stay, 110-28. Daily average cost per head, 2s. lOfd.; less patients' payments, 2s. 9d. Outdoor Patients. —lndividual cases, 8.

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