55

H.—31

" Grounds and Public Gardens.--The public grounds and hospital gardens continue to be well cared for and give considerable pleasure both to the hospital patients and to the travelling public, and, I consider, well justify their expense. " Buildings and General Maintenance.—The hospital buildings have been kept in repair and a considerable amount of painting has been done to the Nurses' Home and Women's hospital, and the buildings are in reasonable condition, excepting the male hospital, bathhouses, and pools. Certain of the departmental houses, occupied by the hospital staff, require some improvements and repainting, and this will be carried out during the coming winter. Considerable improvements are being made to the farm-manager's house. The head gardener's cottage is in poor condition, but this is under consideration and arrangements are being made for a new house. " General.— The type of patient seeking admission to hospital remains the same, principally neurosis, with a certain percentage of arthritic and rheumatic patients. " New Male Pavilion.- The new male pavilion is progressing very rapidly towards completion, and should be ready for occupation towards the end of this year." Fire-escapes. This important question is receiving the attention of both the Department and the Hospital Boards with a view to effecting a more efficient and standardized equipment and method of exit in the case of fire or other emergencies. Iron Lung. Following on advice received by the Government from the High Commissioner, applications were invited by the Department from Hospital Boards who desired these respirators which Lord Nuffield had generously offered to present to all hospitals in the British Empire. As a result applications were received for thirty-two iron lungs, and information to hand indicated that they will be shipped to New Zealand in July. R. A. Shore, Director, Division of Hospitals.