H.--22

32

Visited by Miss Maclean on 15th May last. —There were only nine patients in the Hospital — seven men and two women —the smallest number of patients for some time. The improvements in No. 3 ward are shortly to be put in hand. The whole Hospital was in excellent order, but the septic tank did not seem to be working satisfactorily. This is one of the very few institutions in the Dominion which is independent of the local rates. It is very well managed, and it is only fair that, if the proposed Hospitals Bill becomes law, it should for the above reasons continue as a separate institution.

20. HAWERA HOSPITAL. Governing body : Hawera Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Stipendiary medical staff: Dr. MacGibbon. Nursing staff : Matron, Miss Clapcott; 2 registered nurses and 4 probationers. Domestic staff: 1 cook, 1 housemaid, 2 laundresses, 1 porter, 1 gardener. Number of beds available for males, 21 ; for females, 15: total, 36. Number of patients under treatment during year: In-patients—male 145, female 90—total 235; out-patients, nil. In-patients: Average days' stay, 21; average daily cost per head, Bs. 3fcr. (cost after deducting patients' payments, ss. 9jd.). Percentage of cost of administration on maintenance expenditure, 43'5. Localities from which patients came: Hawera, Manaia, Opunake, Eltham, Kaponga. Nationality of patients: New-Zealanders, 149; English, 42; Scotch, 9; Irish, 23; Australian, 9; American, 1; Swiss, 1; Tasmanian, 1. Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1908. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance from last year ... 1 13 11 Rations ... ... ... 442 9 2 From Government ... ... 1,306 4 2 Wines, spirits, ale, and porter ... 10 6 6 Local bodies ... ... ... 1,101 16 6 Surgery and dispensary • ... 209 8 8 Subscriptions and donations ... 64 1 7 Fuel and light ... ... 208 16 1 Bequest ... ... ... 251 19 4 Bedding and clothing ... ... 70 4 11 Patients'.payments ... ... 616 13 11 Furniture and earthenware .. 98 4 4 Other sources .. ... 3 11 9 Washing and laundry ... ... 6 13 0 Salaries and wages ... ... 887 13 6 Water-supply ... ... 1 10 0 Repairs ... ... ... 65 8 9 Additions to buildings ... ... 292 1 6 Printing, advertising, postage, and stationery ... ... 7081 Interest ...' ... ... 0 12 0 Insurance ... ... ... 22 2 11 Other expenses (principal items — Travelling-expenses, £47 135.; law-costs, £11 7s. 7d.) ... 103 18 8 Total ... ... £3,346 1 2 Total ... ... £2,489 18 1 Visited Bth January, 1908.—There were ten patients in hospital, two being chronic cases. The wards were in excellent order ; the hangings round the beds to which I objected last year had been removed. Additional nurses' quarters "have been added. The laundry is excellent for a small hospital. This little Hospital, which had been so smoothly conducted by Dr. Westenra since its establishment, has had some troubles of a minor nature with its nursing staff. In December Miss Dunsford, who. had proved herself an excellent Matron, resigned, and she has been succeeded by Miss Clapcott, who, at the time of her appointment, was Matron of the Hokitika Hospital. It is early yet to speak of the working of this Hospital, but Dr. MacGibbon is well spoken of in the district, and there is little doubt that his work will give satisfaction to all concerned. As Chairman of the Board Mr. Sutton is most assiduous in his attendance at the Hospital, and, provided the Board backs up the Doctor and Matron in their efforts to maintain discipline, there is little fear but that the reputation of the institution will be maintained.

21. MASTERTON hospital. Governing body: Masterton Hospital Trustees. Honorary medical staff: Drs. Cook and Cowie. Stipendiary medical staff: Drs. Hosking and Ross. Nursing staff: Matron, Mrs. Morrison; 3 registered nurses and 7 probationers. Domestic staff: 1 cook, 1 assistant cook, 2 housemaids, 1 laundress, 1 porter. Number of beds available for males, 17 ; for females, 10 : total, 27 (and 10 beds in fever ward) Number of patients under treatment during year : In-patients—male 154, female 77—total 231 ; out-patients, 14 (number of attendances, 107).