H.—22.

Nurses' Home, so that a building now used as a bedroom for four nurses could be used for infectious cases, until the Board was prepared to erect an up-to-date infectious-diseases hospital. For a hospital of this size the maintenance fees collected show the independence and thriftiness of the residents of the district, to say nothing of the energy and aptitude of the Secretary, Mr. Lepper

14. WAIPAWA HOSPITAL. Governing body: Waipawa District Hospital Board. Stipendiary medical staff : Dr. Godfray. Nursing staff: Matron, Miss Carston ; 4 registered nurses and 2 probationers. Domestic staff: 1 cook, 1 scullerymaid, 2 housemaids, 2 laundresses, 1 porter, 1 gardener. Number of beds available for males, 30; for females, 12: total, 42. Number of patients under treatment during year : In-patients—male 264, female 85—total 349; out-patients, nil. In-patients: Average days' stay, 25'9; average daily cost per head, ss. 9£d. (cost after deducting patients' payments, 4s. B|d.). Percentage of cost of administration on maintenance expenditure, 45'3. Localities from which patients came: Bush, 85; Dannevirke, 18; Waipukurau, 72; Waipawa, 35; Kaikora and coast, 13; Te Aute, 11; Onga Onga, 7; Tikokino, 17; Woodville, 10j Porangahau, 22; Hastings, 19; Napier, 8; various localities, 23. Nationality of patients: English, 74; New-Zealanders, 168; Scotch, 25; Irish, 28; Australian, 18; Scandinavian, 11; German, 4; Danish, 4; various (under 2 each), 17. Religion: Church of England, 189; Salvationist, 7; Presbyterian, 52; Roman Catholic, 63; VVesleyan, 12; Methodist, 4j Lutheran, 18; Brethren, 3; Baptist, 1; Adventist, 1. Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1908. Receipts. £ s. d. ] Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance from last year ... ... 174 5 4 ; Rations ... .. ... 700 4 2 From Government ... ... 3,000 9 0 I Wines, spirits, ale, and porter ... 611 6 Local bodies ... ... ... 1,456 1 3 Surgery and dispensary ... 178 4 6 Subscriptions and donations ... 131 17 1 Fuel and light ... ... 188 19 1 Patients'payments ... ... 473 7 1 Bedding and clothing ... ... 39 9 0 Other sources ... ... ... 11 10 11 Furniture and earthenware, includProceeds from bazaar ... ... 926 19 11 ing repairs ... ... ... 332 5 6 Washing and laundry ... ... 39 0 0 Salaries and wages ... ... 1,322 18 6 Funerals ... ... ... 17 3 0 Additions to buildings . ... 711 9 3 Printing, advertising, postage, and stationery ... ... ... 13 7 8 Insurance ... ... ... 24 6 1 Other expenses ... ... 33 3 0 Nightsoil contract ... ... 53 5 3 Total ... ...£6,174 10 6 Total ... ...£3,660 6 6 Visited 11th January, 1908.—As might be expected, the opening of a hospital at Dannevirke has somewhat lessened the demands on this Hospital, especially in regard to medical cases, though the surgery has in no way diminished, but the Hospital is nevertheless fulfilling a very useful purpose; in fact, so much so, that it was only to be expected that the Trustees are considering the erection of a new hospital in place of the present building. Since my last visit considerable improvements have been effected in the sanitary offices, and the plumbing and drainage arrangements, which had been a long-standing,reflection on the Hospital, have been materially improved, though even yet the sink-wastes in the operating-theatre are not trapped. The male-wards are quite good, but new women's wards are badly needed. A good many operations are done in this Hospital, and the results are good ; the number of eye-operations also is above the average. This institution is very well managed, and is deserving of a better building. Mr. Jull, the Chairman of the Board, takes a great interest in the institution, and his experience in hospital matters has been of great value to the district. Dr. Godfray has been granted nine months' leave of absence, during which his place will be taken by Drs. Reid and Wilson.

15. NELSON HOSPITAL. Governing body: Nelson Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Resident medical staff : Dr. Mackay. Nursing staff: Matron, Miss Field; 3 registered nurses and 11 probationers. Domestic staff : 1 cook, 1 wardsmaid, 1 housemaid, 2 laundresses, 1 general servant, 1 porter, 1 gardener.

27