99

H.—3l

Visited on 26th June, 1913. There were only 10 patients in—7 men and 3 women. An isolation room and a morgue have been added since my last visit. The Hospital was in good order. Wakeitipu Hospital. Medical staff, stipendiary : Alec. Stewart, M.B, CM. Matron : A. C. McKerchar, R.N. Localities from whence patients came: Queenstown, 13; Lake County, 28; Southland, 2; Invercargill, 1 ; Waimate, 1 ; Winton, 1. Visited on 29th January, 1914. There were 3 inmates. I drew the attention of the Board to the unsatisfactory state of this Hospital, and the members signified their intention to act on the recommendation of the Department. Kew Infectious-diseases Hospital. Medical staff, stipendiary : William J. Barclay, M.D, F.R.C.S, D.P.H. Matron : Mrs. M. Cowan. Localities from whence patients came : Invercargill, 17 ; Southland, 14 ; Mataura, 5. Lome Farm. Medical staff, stipendiary : W. J. Barclay, M.D. Master : Charles H. Cole. Matron : Mrs. C. H. Cole. Localities from whence patients came : Invercargill, 74 ; Southland County, 72 ; Winton, 3 ; Arrow, 1 ; Wallace County, 1 ; Queenstown, 2 ; Otautau, 1. Visited on 31st March. There were 112 inmates —viz , 71 children, 30 men, and 11 women. In previous reports I have referred to the unsatisfactory system of housing the indigent aged with children of tender years. Nevertheless, lam satisfied that though in principle the present system is a wrong one, it works out well in practice owing to Mrs. Cole's care and devotion to the children. A casual visitor could not fail to be impressed with the happy appearance of the children. The whole institution was in excellent order. I understand that arrangements are being made so that the farm can supply the various institutions under the Board's control with farm produce, including eggs, vegetables, butter, and milk ; with the land available this certainly should be accomplished without any difficulty. W t allace and Fiord Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Usual date of meeting : Thursday preceding third Friday of each month. Chairman : Edward J. Stevens. Secretary : George Cassels. Public Health Inspector : R. Bleakley. Charitable Aid Inspector : George 0. Cassels. Institution under Board's control: Wallace and Fiord Hospital. Wallace ami Fiord Hospital. Medical staff, stipendiary : N. G. Trotter, M.D, CM. (Edin.). Matron : Janet McGregor, R.N. Localities from whence patients came : Wallace County, 208 ; Riverton Borough, 35; Southland County, 10. Visited on Ist April. There were 21 patients in the Hospital. Since I last visited this institution there have been considerable renovations, including the new ward and operating-theatre, which seem to have been well carried out. Despite my early visit I found the institution in excellent order; Miss McGregor, late Matron of the Waihi Hospital, being in charge. I was concerned to learn that the cottage recently used for the accommodation of infectious cases was being utilized for the accommodation of six old men. I trust this arragement is not regarded as a permanent one, and that the Board will continue to send their aged indigents to Lome Farm. SEPARATE INSTITUTIONS. Mercury Bay Hospital. Medical staff, stipendiary : James J. Eade, M.B, Ch.B. Matron : I. M. Hay, R.N. Localities from whence patients came: Mercury Bay, 67; Gumtown, 26 ; Tairua and Whenuakite, 24; Auckland, 1. Not visited during the year. There have been no changes in this Hospital, of which the ten beds have been occupied by a daily average number of 9 patients.