13

A.—3

Bemarks. I believe it to be inconsistent to think of adding to the present capacity of the hospital until we become able to employ a larger working force. Situated as we are near the sea, I do not think it wise for us to ask patients to occupy our native house in its present condition during winter weather. Doubtless the return of summer will render it more popular than it is now. I have experimented and searched thus far in vain for a Maori whom I could interest sufficiently in the humane work of caring for the sick to train him to become a helper. At present the physician is compelled to add to the responsible work of prescribing for the sick—the legitimate work of a doctor—the trying labour of a male nurse. This ought to be remedied at an early day, though at present neither the man nor the means is in sight. I think the present remuneration of our nurse for her faithful services is neither adequate nor just. Government should provide a small fund with which to feed sick paupers. Two such have been with us already, one a Cook Islands Native, the other a stranger from abroad. I should like Government to inform me how long a man must have lived under the Cook Islands flag to entitle him to gratuitous medical care and the benefit of Cook Islands citizenship in obtaining board for 7s. and 3s. 6d. per week. A pressing and urgent need at this moment is a larger water-supply for the treatment-house. If it does not rain within a week I fear we shall be out of water for both treatments and drinking— a real calamity to this useful institution just started with such encouraging prospects. With the methods of treatment here inaugurated water is a necessity. I suggest the sinking of a well near the corner of the treatment-house. I ask the immediate attention of Government to this important matter. Even if an early rain should relieve us from present embarrassment the prospect is that at no remote period the cistern will have to be emptied to repair some " season cracks " that have formed in the plastering. Hence the greater need for a well. Of course, well-water will be greatly inferior to rain-water, but a good well will be a reserve which any dry season will render useful. J. E. Caldwell, M.D.

Gentlemen, — Rarotonga, 13th July, 1896. Upon reading the synopsis of the work done by your honourable body the past week in Te Torea, issued Saturday, the 11th July, I notice that one of your body asked that hereafter you be furnished a report of the diseases treated at your hospital. Please allow me to express my pleasure at reading the request, particularly since I am told that it originated in the mind of a Maori. It is a reasonable request, and when furnished with a suitable book for the purpose I shall take great pleasure in preserving a record of all our important cases for reference. From the brief record I have kept of cases on loose slips of paper I am able to furnish you with the following statistics :— Number of surgical cases (of which six were abscesses and extraction of teeth) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 21 Skin-diseases ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 Ulcers ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Gonorrhoea ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Inflammation of female pelvic organs (oophoritis with salpingitis) ... 20 Hypertrophy of liver ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 Dyspepsia ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 Syphilis ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 9 Phlegmonous inflammation ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Inflammation of ear ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 Bright's disease ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Sciatica ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Pneumonia ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Elephantiasis ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 Bronchitis ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Rheumatism ... ... ... ... ... . . ... 2 Heart-disease (hypertrophy with dilatation) ... ... ... ... 1 The above statistics relate to May and June alone. In a few instances the same individual suffered from more than one disease. Owing to the smallness of our working force in the hospital we are not able to give full treatment to all our patients. Under the circumstances, it could not be otherwise, and doubtless, if present conditions continue, this cause will operate to limit the number of patients who will seek our aid. Respectfully yours, To Cook Islands Parliament. J. E. Caldwell, M.D.

Enclosure No. 10. To the Chairman and Members of Parliament. The Catholic Mission calls upon the generosity of your Council in favour of the school. It asks that the parents who send their children to its school be exempted from paying the education rate, that thus they may be enabled to pay for the class-books and class requisites in the school of their choice.