11

H.—lBa.

NEW PLYMOUTH. Considerable improvements have been effected at this hospital since my last visit of inspection. The detached cottage, formerly used as a ward for females, has been enlarged by the addition of two rooms, and now forms an excellent residence for the Steward and Matron. The old rooms (formerly occupied by these officers) have been thrown together; and, with an adjoining passage and storeroom, now form a capital ward for patients of the female sex, and also a surgery and dispensary. The old surgery is now occupied by a hospital-orderly. A quantity of new furniture has been purchased, viz : —Four iron bedsteads, four Eowcliffe's wire-mattresses, six palliasses, six hair-mattresses, blankets, two-rocking chairs, twelve Douglas chairs, and sixteen bedside cupboard-lockers ; all these articles were badly needed. A new wash-house has been erected, and also a bathroom and lavatory, as well as a detached closet for the use of female patients. Water is laid on from the town mains, and is available for fire-extinction now that 120 ft. of small rubber hose have been provided for that purpose. The total accommodation is now twenty beds, sixteen of which are for males and four for females ; the cubic space allowed being ample. At present seven males are the only occupants of the hospital—the lowest number for some time past. On examining the books, lam glad to find that maintenance-money is carefully collected here, the receipts last month amounting to £39 Is. Out-patients attend the hospital daily, except on Sundays. The hospital staff is unaltered since my last visit. I noticed great improvements in tha surroundings of the buildings. Much ground has been cleared, planted, and cultivated. All this work is performed by Mr. Drew, the Steward. The whole establishment I found in excellent order and scrupulously clean. A new range is required in the kitchen, and there should be a high-pressure boiler in connection with it. The colonial oven now in use is practically worn out. I had an interview with Dr. O'Carroll, who continues to give his best attention to the hospital patients. July 12th, 1884.

OAMAEU. Hospital inspected December 11th, 1884. Eight patients occupy beds to-day, three males and five females. One female died this morning. She had not been long in the colony, and was an invalid when she left England. The hospital is very clean and orderly, though somewhat bare of ornamental items. Some improvements have recently been carried out, one of which is the establishment of telephonic connection with the Exchange during the day, and with the Medical Officer's residence at night. Some additional furniture has been procured, and also a so-called portable bath, on wheels. This is both too cumbrous for the doorways, and too capacious for the present very limited supply of hot water. Money would have been better expended on a good kitchen range, with high-pressure circulating boiler. This is badly wanted. The feverhospital is empty, and I learn that very few cases of infectious disease have been under treatment this year. The books are properly kept. Very little maintenance-money appears to be forthcoming, the patients, as a rule, being too poor to pay. The grounds furnish excellent pasturage for three cows, which yield at present an abundant supply of milk and butter. December 11th, 1884.

PATEA. There are to-day two patients in the hospital, one of either sex. The man suffers from paralysis, of long standing; while the woman has angular curvature of the spine, for which she is under surgical treatment. Since my former visit the wards have been neatly papered, and the chimney in No. 1 has been boarded round and provided with a mantelpiece. The top of the staircase has been partitioned off from the top floor, and provided with a door. The result of these improvements is a great diminution of draughts in the wards, which have, moreover, an appearance of greater comfort than formerly. I noticed a number of illustrated papers here (a recent gift), and learned that two daily newspapers are also presented. The exterior of the building requires to be painted, and an inexpensive drain would prevent the flooding of its foundation by the overflow from the rain-water tanks. Although the establishment is kept clean and in good order, it has a poverty-stricken appearance. Some better bedsteads, bedding, and furniture should be procured by instalments, I had the opportunity of a conversation with Dr. Keating, the visiting medical officer, who evidently gives his best attention to the patients. The nursing and domestic work are performed by the Warder and his daughter. July 11th, 1884.

PICTON. This hospital has been put into good and substantial repair since my last visit. The bridge over the creek, which forms the only road of approach, has been entirely rebuilt. New piles have been placed under the building, and the whole of the flooring of the lower storey has been removed. This work appears to me to be well done. Upstairs, the Warder's room has been enlarged, and a new door inserted, as suggested by myself in a former report. A new boiler has been fitted to the kitchen range. There are to-day five patients resident, all of the male sex. Only one of these is a proper hospital case, the others being suited for a "refuge." Nine