H.—3l

92

The cost per occupied bed has been reduced by over £20, but is still very high. The principal reductions are : Provisions, £4 10s. per bed; surgery and dispensary, £4 ss. per bed; salaries and wages, £8 per bed. Though the cost per bed under " Domestic and establishment " is lower by £3, there was a greater expenditure in hardware and crockery, and in the money spent on the grounds. The increase of £350 in "Sundries" is very high, no less than £139 being charged to " Miscellaneous expenditure," of which no details w-ere shown in the report. The cost per bed in " Salaries " is still very high. On the whole, bow-ever, this has been a satisfactory year for the Hospital, as there is every evidence of an effort being made to prevent waste and exercise economy in the various institutions under the Board. Altaroa Hospital. Stipendiary medical staff: Percy Geo. Mcßcddie, M.8., CM. Matron : Elizabeth Ann Penrose. Localities, broadly, from which patients came : Akaroa County, 26; Akaroa Borough, 4; Christchurch, 1; Woolston, 1. This Hospital is still serving a useful purpose in the rather isolated Peninsula. Mrs. Penrose, Matron for many years, was on sick-leave for some months, and a staff nurse from the Christchurch Hospital was sent to take charge. Lyttelton Casualty Hospital. Stipendiary medical staff : John A. Newall. MB.. Ch.B.. N.Z. Matron: D. Johnston. Locality, broadly, from which patients came : Shipping. This ward has not been greatly used during the year, but, owing to being cut off during the night from the base hospital, may at any time be required for a serious accident. Bottle Lake Infectious Diseases Hospital. Matron : Mary A. Seymour. Localities, broadly, from which patients came: Christchurch, 52; New Brighton, 1; Sumner, 1; Woolston, 10; Eyreton, 1; Waimairi County, 16; Selwyn fold county), 20. This institution has been in very constant use during the year. The arrangements for the nursing of the fever patients must shortly be revised by the Board. It is not satisfactory that so many patients suffering from serious illness should be under the care of an unqualified person, and the sending of necessary assistance from the main Hospital is much hampered by the fact that there is not a qualified nurse in charge. North Canterbury Consumptive Sanatorium. Stipendiary medical staff: G. J. Blackmore, M.D., CM., D.P.H. Sister in charge : Kate Benjamin. Localities, broadly, from which patients came: Christchurch, 53; Lyttelton, 4; Kaiapoi, 5; Amuri, 1; Selwyn (old county), 1; Akaroa, 1; Cheviot, 1; other districts, 3. This sanatorium is now in full working-order. A Sister from the Christchurch Hospital is in charge as Matron, and the staff of nurses and probationers is renewed periodically from the Hospital. The place is rather difficult to work owing to the site being on so many different levels. Despite these drawbacks, Dr. Blackmore's results are excellent. Memorial Home, Woolston. Stipendiary medical staff: J. F. Duncan, M.8., Ch.B., F.R.C.S. Matron : Margaret Higgins. Localities, broadly, from which patients came: Christchurch, 74; Kaiapoi, 3; Rangiora, 2; New Brighton, 1; Ashton, 3; Woolston, 1; Lyttelton, 2; Amuri, 1; Kaikoura, 1; Akaroa, 1; Ashlev, 1; Selwyn, 2; Waipara, 1. Visited 28th October. There were 68 inmates. The whole institution and grounds were in excellent order, under the charge of Miss Higgins, and the inmates seemed to be conscious that they were well looked after. The chronic wards were also in excellent order, being in charge of Miss Mullett, lately a nurse at Guy's Hospital. There were seventeen vacant beds in the chronic ward. The cost of this institution is somewhat high, but it cannot fairly be compared to any other institution, as for the most part the women admitted are there through downright misfortune, and no one would grudge them the extra expense entailed by the many private rooms and fires. The few aged couples living at this Home were very happy in their retirement. The excellent state of the garden, with its numerous rows of fruit-trees and vegetables, was especiallv noticeable, and I hope that these grounds will be able to provide, as the Board desire, most of the vegetables for this and kindred institutions under the control of the latter. Samaritan Home, Christchurch. Stipendiary medical staff: J. F. Duncan, MB., Ch.B., F.R.C.S. Master : Maurice Roche. Matron : Minnie Roche.