H.—22

24

Visited 15th December, 1897, and 16th April, 1898. This hospital is large and spacious in its accommodation, and involves a good deal of unnecessary labour to keep it clean. Dr. O'Carroll and Dr. Leatham work harmoniously as colleagues in charge of the medical and surgical work. Miss Fernandez, the matron, is absent on leave for six months, owing to ill-health. Her place is very satisfactorily filled by Miss Brown, who had a good training at Gisborne under one of the best matrons in New Zealand. I felt it my duty to bring the case of a convict patient under the notice of the Minister of Justice, and I have communicated with the Board regarding the matter. A modification of the'eight-hour system has been introduced into this hospital, largely at the instance of the Chairman, who has very advanced views on this question. For my part, lam of opinion that, whatever may be necessary in the larger hospitals of the colony, it is a mistake in the small centres to limit the nurses' day to eight hours ; for it means that, though they are at times worked hard, yet for the larger part of the time they have little to do, and are simply in each others' way. .

OAMABU HOSPITAL. Number of patients on 31st March, 1897 ... ... ... 11 Admitted during the year ... ... ... ... 125 Total under treatment ... ... ... 136 Discharged ... ... ... ... ... ... 105 Died 12 Bemaining on 31st March, 1898 ... ~ ... ... 19 Sex. —96 males, 40 females. Localities from which Patients came. —Oamaru and Waitaki County. Country. —England, 33; Scotland, 19; Ireland, 25; New Zealand, 35; Australia, 9; Continent of Europe and America, 15. Beligion. —Church of England, 50 ; Boman Catholic, 36 ; Presbyterian, 38; Wesleyan and others, 12. Total collective days' stay in hospital, 3,617; individual average days' stay, 26-59. Daily average cost per head, 7s. 3d.; less patients' payments, 7s. Outdoor Patients. —lndividual cases, 148 ; attendances, 679. Bevenue and Expenditure. Bevenue. £ s. d. [ Expenditure. £ s. d. From Government ... .... 87 16 10 1 Bations ... ... ... 249 5 4 Subscriptions and donations ... 80 8 8 Wines, spirits, ale, &c. ... ... 35 8 0 Bents ... ... ... ... 915 14 6 Surgery and dispensary ... ... 92 1 8 Patients' payments ... ... 52 5 0 Fuel and light ... ... ... 68 7 7 Other sources ... ... ... 293 18 3 Bedding and clothing ... ... 51 19 3 Balance from last year ... ... 116 19 11 Furniture and earthenware .. 55 7 3 Salaries and wages ... ... 538 7 6 Funerals ... ... ... 26 11 0 Bepairs ... ... ... 149 18 4 Additions ... ... ... 276 12 11 Printing, advertising, postage, and stationery .. ... ... 859 Insurance ... ... ... 5 15 0 Other expenses ... ... ... 33 2 7 Total ... ... £1,547 3 2 Total ... ... £1,591 2 2 This is an admirably conducted hospital. The medical officer is capable and attentive. Mr. and Mrs. Desmond have everything in perfect order. I heard nothing but praise from the patients for the way they are treated.

PALMEBSTON NOBTH HOSPITAL. Number of patients on 31st March, 1897 ... ... ... 21 Admitted during year ... ... ... ... ... 191 Total under treatment ... ... ... 212 Discharged ... ... ... ... ... ... 166 Died ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 22 Bemaining on 31st March, 1898 ... ... ... ... 24 Sex. —147 males, 65 females. Localities from which Patients came. —Palmerston North, 177; Masterton, 6; Wanganui, 7 ; Wellington, 5; Waipawa, 8; Dunedin, 1; Napier, 4; New Plymouth, 2; Patea, 1; Christchurch, 1. ■ Nationality. —English, 57 ; Scotch, 16; Irish, 26; New Zealand, 80; Australian, 9 ; German, 7 ; Canadian,' 1; Danish, 4; Swedish, 2; Norwegian, 5; Tasmanian, 2; Finn, 1; West Indian, 1; Arab, 1.