23

H.—3a

THAMES REFUGE. As this establishment is worked as a portion of the hospital, in which its inmates, moreover, take all their meals, I have felt it my duty to inspect it. It is separated by a small piece of private property from the hospital garden. The building is of wood, well planned, and furnished with an excellent broad verandah in front, and an extensive garden behind. This is well cropped and cultivated by two of the inmates, and the produce utilized for the benefit of the hospital. In it is a good pigstye, with a sow and litter of young, kept very clean. The drainage from the stye, and that from a neighbouring privy, run into a manure-pit, the contents of which are used in the garden. There is also a capital store-house. _ The Eefuge affords accommodation for twelve men, who sleep in five comfortable rooms, suitably furnished, and provided with basins and water-taps. The bedsteads are of iron ; they have flax mattresses and good clean bed-clothing. There is also a bath-room and a store. To the left of the entrance is an excellent sitting-room, with a number of books, papers, and pictures. The dietary given is the same which the hospital patients are allowed, and is liberal. Every part of this small establishment is in the most creditable condition —bright, cheerful, and scrupulously "clean. I could not help wishing that some of the hospital patients could be exchanged for its inmates, as the contrast between their respective surroundings is very great. 3rd April, 1883.

THAMES EEVEE-HOSPITAL. A house has lately been acquired on lease for this purpose at Parawai, about two miles from the town, and an endeavour will be made to secure the freehold. The building is a good deal dilapidated, but repairs will be put in hand forthwith. It stands in about five acres of elevated land, commanding a good view, and of the healthfulness of the site there can be no doubt whatever. There are five rooms, besides a kitchen, scullery, store-room, and a small conservatory. A good verandah forms the frontage. I have no doubt that a very suitable hospital can be made of this house, and that it will supply a want much needed. 3rd April, 1883.

TIMAKF. This hospital is well situated about a mile from the railway-station, on elevated ground, with a good view of the sea. It stands in about 4J acres of land, which is said to belong to the Park ; about one acre is well cropped as a vegetable- and fruit-garden ; and the large portion in front of the hospital is tastefully laid out as a flower-garden, and kept in beautiful order. The building consists of a central and older portion, a largo wing on the right, and two wings on the left-hand side. The central block contains the administrative offices, viz., consulting room, dispensary, store-room, Steward's room, Steward's office, kitchen, and its offices; there are also two rooms for the [Resident Medical Officer. To the right is the old female ward, now used only as a sort of work-room for the Malron. Above the central portion are two bedrooms, occupied by four servants, and another by the Steward and Matron. The latter is badly situated, and the Medical Officer's room is small and close. The old female ward might with advantage be subdivided to remedy these defects. In the entrance-hall is a bookcase containing a small but good library of entertaining books for the patients' use. The kitchen is small and poor; there is a good range here, but trial is being made of cooking by gas, which, if not too costly, is sure to prove successful. Adjoining are a scullery, pantry, and larder; the scullery has a "geyser " for heating water by means of gas. The right-hand wing of the building is connected with the central block by a covered passage, and was erected as a fever-hospital. It contains a large ward in front, with ten beds, none of which are in use at present. The back part of the wing contains another ward with sixteen beds: this is occupied as a female medical and surgical ward. Adjoining it is a smaller room with two beds, and also a ward kitchen, nurses' room, and store. Bath-rooms, lavatories, and earth-closets are properly placed at the extremities of the large wards; and between these projections, in the front part of the wing, is a small portion curtained off as a reading-room. On the lefthand side of the building is the male medical ward, and behind it a smaller one with two beds, a storeroom, ward-kitchen, and nurses'room. The wing to the extreme left has a large ward with twenty-two beds, with similar arrangements in its rear. The bedsteads are of iron, with straw paillasses, hair mattresses, flock bolsters, and feather pillows. The whole of the bed-clothing is scrupulously clean, and, though some of it is much worn, in excellent repair. The floors are waxed, and very clean ; but that in the large male ward is rendered very unsightly from rough usage by nailed boots. The windows are large, and have top fan-lights, which are readily opened. Various appliances for introducing fresh air, and getting rid of that which is foul, are in use. There are in the larger wards central double fireplaces, with ascending chimney-shafts. Lighting is effected by gas-pendants. Plain and suitable furniture is provided, and also small ornaments and cut flowers, imparting to all the rooms a comfortable appearance. The windows are fitted with green Venetian blinds. Earth-closets are in use, and regularly emptied by the town contractor. One of the baths is heated (experimentally) by gas. The dispensary is a very commodious one; drugs supplied by a local chemist. There is a good cabinet of surgical instruments of considerable value. Here also is kept the register of out-patients, who are now permitted to attend upon any day. No prescription-book is kept, nor case-book. The Steward keeps the in-patients' register, and procures payment where possible from patients, at the rate of £1 Is. a week : some of these,bring a recommendation for admission, but the Medical Officer admits any patient whom he may consider to be suitable for treatment. The Steward also keeps a stores ledger, and a book showing what stimulants are issued ; he has also an inventory of hospital properties, which he corrects every half-year ; no ward inventories are in use. There is a fixed scale of dietary, but no printed rules for officers, servants, patients, or visitors. The Committee meet at the Council Chamber, when the Steward attends as Secretary ; members of the Committee visit frequently at the hospital. Other visitors than relatives of patients are few, and gifts of useful or ornamental things rare.