H.—3l

102

Governing Body: Waihi Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Usual date of meeting : Last Friday in each month. Secretary : F. Bishop. Waihi Hospital. Stipendiary medical staff: Medical Superintendent •—C H. Robertson, F.R.C.S., M.8.; An-esthetist—G. Craig, M.8., M.S. Matron : Janet McGregor. Localities, broadly, from which patients came: Waihi. .565; Thames, 227; Bay of Plenty, 25; Waikato, 18; Auckland, 3; Hawera, 1. Visited Bth March. There were 4 patients in Hospital, of whom 22 were females. On the occasion of my last visit 1 found the male wards overcrowded, and advised the Board to make additional accommodation. It would appear that extra accommodation will soon be needed for females. The extension of the male ward had to all appearances been faithfully carried out, and, though not quite finished, is already occupied. The Matron states that the central lavatory was a great convenience. Owing to the overcrowded state of the female wards, they did not look so tidy as usual. They sadly need repainting and refurnishing. I have no doubt that the Board will put the matter in hand as soon as the stress is over. Dr. Robertson has received nine months' leave for a much-needed holiday. During the absence the work will be carried on by Dr. Fraser-Hurst. I was glad to find that an excellent understanding exists between the Board and the responsible officers of the institution. There is a decrease of £28 I."is. in the cost per bed. A great improvement is shown in the general management of this institution during the past three years. This Hospital furnishes a classical instance of what can be done by a Board recognizing that they have good officers and letting them alone. The credit, therefore, is as much due to the Board as to the officers. Governing Body : Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Usual date of meeting : Third Wednesday in month. Secretary : Charles Maxwell Lepper. New Plymouth Hospital. Stipendiary medical staff: E. A. Walker, M.8., Mast. Surg. ; D. S. Wvlie, F.R.C.S.; H. B. Leatham, M.R.C.S.; G. Home, M.8., M.D. Matron : Elizabeth Browne. Localities, broadly, from which patients came: Inglewood Borough, 17; Stratford, 7; Hawera, 5; Wellington, 1; Taranaki, 105; Clifton County, 48; Egmont County, 59; Fitzroy, Town Board, 12; Waitara Borough, 43; New Plymouth Borough, 126. Visited September and January. There were 43 patients, 3 being in the consumptive annexe. The place was, as usual, in good order. The Board has wisely decided to erect a new Hospital on the site where the Old People's Home used to stand, the latter institution having been removed to a very suitable site a mile further from the town. On the section it is hoped enough milk, vegetables. &c., may be grown to provide the two institutions. The Hawera and Stratford Boards have agreed to combine with the Taranaki Bqard to maintain part of the present Hospital building for the accommodation of chronic and incurable patients from the entire Taranaki District. Patients' fees amounted to* no less a sum than £2,665 —£76 per occupied bed. The cost per bed has been reduced by £4, though the cost of provisions is higher by £2 10s. per bed. The cost has been reduced in other items, including, I am glad to note, £3 in "Surgery and dispensary." New Plymouth Old People's Home. Stipendiary medical staff : G. Home, M.8.. M.D. Matron : A. Bayly. Localities, broadly, from which patients came : Hawera, Stratford, and New Plymouth. Visited on 17th September, 1910, and 20th February, 1911. Mrs. Bavly, a former Matron of the Hospital, is now in charge. There are one or two patients who are lit for a chronic ward, as they need attention at night. There were 35 men in and 5 women. One of the troublesome patients had died lately, considerably lightening the work. On the occasion of the second visit the work of removing the Home to the new site was in progress. Governing Body : Buller Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Usual date of meeting : Second Tuesday in month. Secretary: Robert F Mullan, Westport Hospital. Honorary medical staff: E. D. Dunn, L.R.C.P., L.F.P.S., L.S.A. Stipendiary medical staff: Guy Hallwright, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. Matron : E. Dunsford.