H.—22

36

Visited 19th January, 1898. The governing body of this hospital have had cause to regret they did not accept and act on the advice I gave at my last visit about reorganizing their staff. They have at last made up their minds to make an end of the old system, and I think Miss McCarthy will make an excellent matron if properly supported. The male assistant ought to be got rid of, and the " chamber of horrors," a.s the small lean-to ward is called, ought either to be pulled down or properly cleaned and ventilated.

BOTOBUA SANATOEIUM. Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1898. £ s. d. Besident medical officer ... ... ... ... ... 400 0 0 Matron ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 105 0 0 Bath attendants and servants ... ... ... ... 418 17 0 Bations ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 249 11 3 Fuel and light ... ... ... ... ... ... 66 14 11 Bedding, &c. ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 4 6 Surgery and dispensary .. ... ... ... ... 2714 Wines, &c. ... " ... ... ... ... ... 0 19 0 Furniture and crockery ... ... ... ... ... 830 Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... ... 32 17 0 1,329 8 0 Beceived for maintenance ... ... ... ... 427 15 6 £901 12 6 Number of patients on 31st March, 1897 ... ... ... 13 Admitted during the year ... ... ... ... 79 Total under treatment ... ... ... 92 Discharged .. ... ... ... ... ... 80 Died... ... ... ... ... ... Bemaining on 31st March, 1898... ... ... ... 12 Localities from which Patients came. —New Zealand, 77 ; Victoria, 1; West Australia, 1. Country. —New Zealand, 23 ; England, 19 ; Scotland, 9; Ireland, 19 ; Australia, 2 : Germany, 2; Isle of Man, 1; India, 1; Holland, 1; Italy, 1; Denmark, 1. Total collective days'stay in sanatorium, 4,065; individual average days' stay, 44-18. Daily average cost per head, 6s. 6-|d.; less patients' payments, 4s. sd. The Government have determined to appoint an expert in hydrotherapeutics to take charge of the organization of our thermal springs district. Pending this appointment the Government have contented themselves with carrying out the drainage system so essential for the future development of Botorua. The other developments in contemplation it was felt ought to be carried out, under the guidance of an officer who had special knowledge of similar undertakings in other parts of the world. The hospital building at Botorua must necessarily form an integral part of any scheme that may be adopted for turning to account the marvellous resources of this district; so that before long we may expect to see the chaotic state of things which has hitherto prevailed, owing to divided responsibility, entirely superseded and replaced by an intelligible organization, for which one man shall be responsible. So far as the organization of the hospital itself is concerned, there is little to find fault with. The patients are comfortable and well attended to, and for the matron, Miss Thompson, I have nothing but the highest praise. The bath-keepers also have fulfilled their duties, often very onerous, very creditably.

D. MacGbeqob, M.A., M.8., M.C., Inspector of Asylums and Hospitals.