27

H.—7

Revenue and Expenditure. Bevenue. £ s. d. j Expenditure. £ s. d. From Government ... ... 514 10 3 Rations ... ... ... 279 15 1 Local bodies ... ... ... 497 6 3 Wines, spirits, ale, &c. ... ... 26 10 6 Subscriptions and donations ... 13 4 0 Surgery and dispensary... ... 108 12 8 Patients'payments ... ... 81 13 3 Fuel and light... ... ... 38 4 6 Other sources ... ... 10 0 0 Bedding and clothing ... ... 36 911 Wages (including washing) ... 227 2 7 Salaries ... ... ... 240 0 0 Funerals ... ... ... 35 18 6 Repairs ... ... ... 9650 Printing, advertising, postage, and stationery ... ... ... 9196 Building account ... ... 7 15 6 j Insurance ... ... ... 10 0 0 Total ... ...£1,116 13 9J Total ... ...£1,116 13 9 I inspected this Hospital on the 22nd December, 1890, and found, as before, a large proportion of chronic cases. Four out of a total of twelve were over two years in the hospital, and one was over one year. The ventilation of the intermediate rooms on the male side was very bad, and immediate steps ought to be taken to remedy this. In all other respects I found the Hospital satisfactory.

CHAEITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

COSTLEY HOME FOE THE AGED AND NEEDY, AUCKLAND. This institution is situated in a paddock of about 7 acres at Epsom, about three miles from Auckland. It is a handsome, well-designed brick building, giving accommodation for about 200 inmates. On the day of my visit, the 20th March last, it contained 113 men and 35 women, all of them suitable cases for such an institution. The management is intrusted to Mr. and Mrs. Moss, who, so far as I have been able to judge, are well fitted for their work, and perform their duties conscientiously. The rest of the staff consists of a male-ward assistant, a cook, laundress, and gardener. I found everything in good order. The beds were clean and comfortable, and the food sufficient both in quantity and quality. The whole of the ground, except what is required for the buildings and outhouses, is carefully cultivated, and gives abundant crops. There is no water-, supply available except the rainfall, which is stored in large concrete tanks, which, so far, have given an abundant supply. There is no provision for drainage except that everything is collected in a large tank, from which the sewage is pumped and distributed at irregular intervals over the garden. It is evident that in a very short time such a system as this must become unwholesome, but how to remedy it, except at a great expense, Ido not see. A great mistake was made in building in such a position, and on a piece of land only 7 acres in extent. The total cost per head per week is ss. sd. THAMES OLD MAN'S HOME. This consists of a fairly suitable wooden building close to the Hospital. On the date of my inspection —15th March, 1891 —it contained 19 inmates, who were all comfortably housed and well treated in other respects. The average cost per week was ss. 3d. HAMILTON OLD MAN'S HOME. This is a well-designed new wooden building situated in the Hospital grounds, about a mile from the township. The whole is suitably furnished, and has a good garden. It contained 11 old men, who did all their own work—cooking, cleaning, gardening, and so on. They were all very contented, and seemed to be exceptionally comfortable. THE NAPIEK REFUGE. This is a very old and comfortless building, entirely unsuited to modern requirements. It gives shelter, and that is all. The patients are well treated, however, in all other respects. The contrast between the Refuge and the splendidly-appointed Hospital over the way has always struck me as being a very glaring one in Such a rich country as Napier, and I have no doubt the Board is only waiting for the new Bill, which has now become inevitable, and which, I hope, will make provision for a comprehensive system of provincial homes with farms attached. The cost per head per week is 6s. 7f d.