11

H.—2

Hydro.

To take clause (b) first: There is a large and increasing class of visitors to Rotorua who are really ill, and for whom no one pretends at present to cater. For such a class the provision of a sanatorium, which should be a hydro, run on modern lines, would fill a long-felt want. A rheumatic patient requires not only baths and ordinary" medical comforts, but proper diet, the wellregulated routine of a scientifically devised establishment, and sometimes a certain amount of nursing. However ready he may be to pay for these necessaries, he is absolutely unable to obtain them. Fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, fresh fish are luxuries in Eotorua, and although I give to every one of my patients a diet-list suitable for his complaint, I know full well in my heart that this is more or less a farce, as he will be able to carry out the instructions in scarcely any existing house in Eotorua. In this connection I would point out that the question of diet has hitherto been largely ignored in the Government Sanatorium, and that patients there were provided with food which was often quite unsuitable for their complaint. I cannot insist too strongly on the necessity of abundance of fresh green vegetables in the dietary of a rheumatic patient. Vegetable and Fbuit Garden. I would suggest that a large area of the best soil obtainable be laid down in cultivation of fruit and vegetables, with plenty of glass houses to insure a good winter supply. Such a garden would supply both the Sanatorium and the Hydro, all the year round. Since writing the above I have received the Agent-General's report of the meeting of the International Congress on Hydrology, Climatology, and Geology, held at Grenoble, which he attended. I would call special attention to the fact that the general consensus of expert opinion was in favour of "closed" sanatoria —that is, establishments where patients live by rule and under close medical supervision. This is in effect what I propose in the matter of a hydro. At the same time, attention is drawn to the part played by " cheerful society, beautiful scenery, and rational amusement " in aiding a cure. Site of the Hxdro. It is necessary that the Hydro, should be— (1.) Near the baths. (2.) On firm ground. Hospital. It is also advisable that the new Hospital should be— (1.) On a main road—that accident cases need never be carried through the Sanatorium grounds. (2.) Near the Sanatorium—to have the advantage of the same staff. Should the plan of grouping the three buildings together be adopted, the only suitable spot—and it is one eminently suitable—is the piece of ground behind the Sanatorium buildings, including the site of the present medical residence, and an isolated corner of the Sanatorium grounds facing Hinemoa Street. In this area the buildings could be grouped together without crowding, the site is central, near the baths, would cost nothing, and the ground is solid and good. The alternative plan would be to place the Hospital and Sanatorium on this site, and the Hydro, on the Pukeroa property. Medical Eesidence. The present medical residence is worm-eaten, and is no longer suited to its purpose, but a most excellent site is available close to the north wing of the new baths, though hidden from them by a belt of trees. As the duties of the Balneologist at the baths are already engrossing, and will become so more and more as the place becomes better known and more and more scientific apparatus is brought into play, it is necessary that he should reside as close as possible to the baths. Utilisation op Existing Baths. There remains the problem of the utilisation of the existing baths. The swimming-baths, including the Duchess, the Blue Bath, the Ladies' Swimming-bath, should be retained chiefly for pleasure purposes, and they would always be in great demand. The Pavilion Baths, with some modern improvements, the Mud Baths, and the new Douche Baths in the " Temporary Buildings " should be reserved for the use of the Sanatorium patients. It is very possible that the Eachel Spring may soon be taxed to its utmost to supply the new baths, in which case one of the swimming-baths might be converted into a cold fresh-water swimming-bath, for which there is a great want in summer, and -water from the Blue Bath source might supply the douches for the Sanatorium baths. For the present, at any rate, I would recommend leaving the Postmaster Baths untouched. Private Patients. On the 14th November, 1902, I took over from the Eesident Medical Officer the duty of attending to private patients. The receipts from this source, as will be seen from the figures for the last three years, have steadily increased. With the completion of the new baths, and the numerous and more complicated appliances at the disposal of modern physiological therapeutics, I confidently anticipate a very great increase under this heading. Out-patients fees for 1900-1, £412 3s. ; 1901-2, £456 14s. 6d.; 1902-3, £589 10s. In regard to matters concerning Eotorua more generally, I would point out the increase of population of the town during the year ; the great success, from a commercial point of view, of the carnival, the installation of a public telephone system, and of an infectious diseases hospital.