H.—l9.

23

concerned that a new hospital should be built as soon as possible. During the time of my visit the affairs of the institution were in confusion, owing to the dismissal of the former steward, and the fact that a successor had not yet been appointed. In these circumstances it would be unreasonable to be very critical of the management. I satisfied myself, however, that the patients were properly treated by Doctors Bell and Conolly, both of whom are assiduous in the discharge of their duties. The food is ample, of good quality, and well cooked; but I think there is too great sameness (monotony) in the dietary. I heard no complaints except from one rn.au, who was a victim to the opium habit, and who, like all his kind, blamed everybody but himself for his unfortunate condition. The number of patients was eighteen males and five females. Of these, three men and one woman are chronic cases, who have been more than a year in the hospital. All drugs are got from the local chemist. There is no proper supply of instruments or other surgical appliances. Stores for daily consumption are supplied on an order from the secretary, Mr. Bamber, on whom a great deal of the care and management devolves, and he devotes a great deal of time and trouble to his duties as secretary. All the books are properly kept. All the principal contracts are in the hands of one man, who tenders annually for the whole lot. Ido not think this method ought to be continued, as it practically excludes the advantages of competition. The present site is not suitable for the new hospital, for it is too small, is too much surrounded by trees, and lies too low. The best site in Wanganui is that of the old gaol, which is shortly to be abandoned, and it ought, if possible, to be secured for the hospital. Failing this, the site on St. John's Hill is perfectly suitable, except that it is a little too far away for the doctor's convenience. It stands high and airy, overlooking the valley and the town ; and it is sufficiently accessible for visitors, the suburban railway-station being close at hand. The only possible drawback would be the water-supply, and I find by reference to Mr. Gilmour, the Borough Engineer, that should the present fall be found inadequate, an expenditure of £60 will cover the cost of connecting the building with Westmere. 27th September, 1886.

WELLINGTON. I have examined this hospital several times during the year. The building stands in a reserve of twelve acres, of which the part in front of the hospital is well laid out with trees and suitably fenced. It is of brick, with a stuccoed front and an iron roof. The administrative offices, with the resident surgeon's rooms, occupy a handsome two-story block in the centre ; all the rest of the building has only one story. From a splendid corridor, at right angles to the entrance-hall, four large wards, separated by three neatly-kept but sunless courts, extend backwards, and open behind on a parallel corridor, which gives access to the kitchen, and the bath-rooms, lavatories, and other accessories lo the wards. The four wards are similar and similarly furnished, the only difference being that the two middle ones have no outlook except on the enclosed courts and that a free circulation of air around them is impossible. On either side of the entrance to each ward is a good-sized room. One of these is a ward kitchen and the other a nurses' room. A description of one of the wards will serve for all. The No. 1 ward is 88ft. by 24ft. by 20ft. It is well lighted by large windows, with a fanlight to each. Ventilation is provided by means of nine Tobin's tubes, with an opening near the ceiling corresponding to each, in addition to the two open fireplaces, and a circular opening, covered with wire-gauze, round each of the three gas-pendants. At a visit I made lately I found a great improvement in the ventilation had been effected by making the window fanlights movable and capable of regulation by a cord passing over a pulley and fixed to the end of an iron arm. The beds are twenty-four in number, all Kowcliff's patent iron-wire beds, with hair mattrasses, and a sufficiency of good clean bedding. Of these, fifteen are at present occupied. Beside each bed there is a suitable locker, and on the wall are fixed bed-head cards, giving personal particulars, and showing the diet, the treatment, and temperature in serious cases. A strip of linoleum, Bft. wide, runs along the centre of the, floor. A handsome ward-table, with drawers, shelves, and basin-stand, occupies the centre of the ward, in addition to two ordinary ward-tables, covered with flowers very neatly arranged. There are suitable easy-chairs and other seats, and a sufficient number of commodes. Pictures in neat wooden frames adorn the walls, and there is a clock over the end fireplace. To the left of the entrance there is a commodious press for bandages, &c, and at the opposite end of the ward a fine large linen-press, besides a convenient medicine-cupboard. The walls are nicely painted, and the ceiling is white. The whole looks exceedingly comfortable and cheery, and is kept very clean. The nursing-staff struck me as being particularly satisfactory. They are well trained, intelligent, and ladylike, being evidently drawn from a class very much superior to the old-fashioned hospital-nurse of former times. The head-nurses are on duty from 6.30 a.m. till 6.30 p.m. They get leave from 2.30 p.m. till 10 p.m. once a week, as well as Sunday afternoon. The assistants come on duty, one from 4 a.m. till noon, the other from noon till 8 p.m., while the night-nurse is on duty from 8 p.m. till 4 a.m. As I have said, all the four wards are similar in construction, furnishing, and management, except No. 4 Ward, which is in charge of a male warder, assisted by a night-watchman. I conversed with all the patients without any member of the staff being present, and found them unanimous in their appreciation of the care and kindness with which they are treated. Great economies and improvements have been effected since the hospital came into the hands of the Trustees. By inquiries which I made after the close of the year I found that under Mr. Eountree's careful management great savings had been made. By introducing a regular diet-scale notable reductions were effected in all the chief items. In the matter of tea alone, taking a period of three months, the consumption was reduced nearly a half. The wines and spirits bill was £127, as against £433 in the previous year. All this has been effected by the energy and vigilance educed by the change from Government control. Considerable improvements have also been made in other directions: the drains have been connected with the town system, the useless ranges in the ward-kitchens have been replaced by suitable grates, the