2

H.—9

where ; and the wards and corridors, as well as the warders' and matron's rooms, have never yet been painted or distempered since their erection. The Committee have lacked funds for this purpose, and hope to receive a Government subsidy from last year's vote, when they will at once take the matter in hand. lam glad to note that the marked improvement reported in the condition of this hospital on my last visit of inspection continues, and the whole establishment' is maintained in a state of order and cleanliness which it would be difficult to surpass, and which reflects great credit upon the resident officers, Mr. and Mrs. Mackay. There is a profusion of growing flowers in pots and beds, and also of cut blossoms, to be seen about the hospital. In spite of a very dry season the supply of vegetables from the kitchen-garden has been abundant. Dr. Trevor continues his medical services. He is very regular in his attendance, and is very highly spoken of. Arrangements are being made for declaring this hospital a " separate institution " under the new Act. 6th January, 1886.

AUCKLAND. I have visited the hospital during a portion of each of the undermentioned days—namely, 13th, 19th, 21st, and 23rd October. There are to-day 77 male and 19 female in-patients : total, 96. On the 15th of the present month the total number was 103. The hospital is constructed to accommodate eighty-eight beds only; consequently there is overcrowding and discomfort. It is to be hoped that the newly-elected Committee will lose no time in providing additional wards. The nature of the diseases from which the patients are suffering calls for no special remark. Typhoid fever is not prevalent at present, or the demand for more space might become very serious. One case only, of mild type, is now under treatment. I have taken the opportunity of speaking to every patient; and I received no complaints. The principal wards are kept in excellent order, and afford every possible comfort. The same, however, cannot be said of the rooms in the basement allotted to the use of patients. These are sadly in want of paint and general cleansing. They present a cheerless and dirty appearance. The same remark will apply to the kitchen and its offices, which are not worthy of the hospital, and demand better fittings. The small pantry serves also as a store-room for groceries in bulk—a bad arrangement, which should be altered by putting up a partition. For want of proper accommodation a quantity of coals lay on the kitchen-floor. The mortuary, with its trapdoor and tramway, continues a source of offence and danger. I have no doubt all the defects mentioned would have been long since remedied if the Committee had possessed available funds. The other portion of the hospital I found in very good order. The bedding is good, and well attended to. A number of blankets of English manufacture are in store, as also some of colonial make. The latter would be exclusively used were it not that they become very thin when washed, through losing much of their nap. This is a matter of general complaint throughout the colony, and deserves the attention of the manufacturers. The dietary scale is carefully adhered to, and complete record kept of all stores issued and consumed. lam glad to report a considerable diminution in the amount of alcoholic liquors. To-day the following have been issued: Port, 20z.; sherry, 30z.; gin, 70z.; brandy, 2foz.; ale and porter, two pints. There is no variation to report in the number of outpatients treated. About twenty fresh entries are made weekly under this category. The amount collected for maintenance during the last month was £73 18s. Some defects (structural) require still to be noticed. The disinfecting-chamber has been recently repaired, but will never remain in working condition until proper allowance is made for the expansion of the iron used in and about the furnace. The hot-water tanks lined with lead, which were put in by the Public Works Department, have given much trouble by their leakage, as might have been expected, and have required frequent repairs. One of them has recently been entirely relined with lead. This is not the only instance of the sort in a Government institution ; and the use of lead for such a purpose can only be due to ignorance of its properties. Certainly it cannot be from economical motives, as the subsequent damage and repairs cannot fail to be expensive. Noticing a mouldy smell in a lavatory separated by a single door from the women's ward, I was led to examine certain " shoots " down which all refuse from the wards is thrown. These "shoots" open into a small room in the basement adjoining the mortuary. In one was some soiled linen, which is received daily. -The other contained a quantity of rags, poultices, sweepings of the floors, and other refuse. A number of mice were running about the room, which is only cleared on alternate days. I very much question the propriety of using a " shoot " at all for such purposes, the sides of which cannot fail to become foul and offensive. If used, the contents should be removed night and morning. I may mention that the better-constructed shoots at the new St. Thomas's Hospital, London, were at once abandoned as dangerous to health.

BLENHEIM. I have this day paid a short visit to the hospital, which I found occupied by thirteen patients, all of the male sex. None of these were confined to bed, or appeared to^ae suffering from severe accident or illness; on the contrary, several appeared to me to be more fitting inmates of a refuge. It is unnecessary to say anything further in condemnation of the hospital buildings, which will probably be shortly disused; but 1 must express regret that so much unnecessary delay should have occurred in fixing upon a site for the new structure. I was accompanied to-day by Mr. Dodson, M.H.E., and Mr. Allen, Eesident Magistrate, and we were all satisfied with the general good order which prevailed. 15th September, 1885.

CHEISTCHUECH. On the 30th January, 1886,1 went to this hospital and made various inquiries of its resident officers. The Committee being present at the same time, I had the opportunity of conferring with them,"and