H.—3

16

Inspection. This hospital, like that at Greymouth, is rapidly being transformed into a refuge for brokendown improvident diggers, and, just as in Greymouth, the average daily cost is brought down by the fact that a large proportion of the inmates are there all the year round. Another unsatisfactory point about the hospital is the extent to which the ticket-system is carried, with the result that rateable property is heavily taxed, and the Government has to pay heavily. With these manifest drawbacks the hospital is well managed, and is in a satisfactory state.

INVEECAEGILL HOSPITAL. Number oi patients, 31st March, 1888 ... ... ... 17 Admitted during the year ... ... ... ... 147 Total under treatment ... ... ... 164 Discharged ... ...- ... ... ... ... 125 Died ... ." ... ... ... ... 18 Eemaiuing, 31st March, 1889 ... ... ... ... 21 Localities from which Patients came. —Invercargill, 32 ; Bluff, 13 ; Gore, 3; Win ton, 10; Southland County, 87; Wallace County, 7; Lake County, 3; Tuapeka County, 1; Clutha County, 1; Taieri, 1; Canterbury, 1; unknown, 5. Sex. —126 males, 38 females. Nationality. —> New Zealand, 33; England, 38; Scotland, 41; Ireland,-32; Colonies, 3; United States, 1; France, 1; Italy, 1; Germany, 2; Denmark, 1 ; Sweden and Norway, 2 ; Greece, 1; Finland, 1; China, 5. Beligion. —Eoman Catholic, 29; Church of England, 50; Presbyterian, 62; Greek Church, 1; Lutheran, 1; Protestant Dissenters, 5 ; Confucianism, 4 ; Buddhist, 1; Church of Christ, 9. Total collective hospital days, 10,641 ; individual average stay, 6688 days. Average daily cost per patient, 4s. 3f d.; less patients' repayments, 3s. 2d. Out-patients, 914 ; attendances, 1,769. Bevenue and Expenditure. Revenue. £ s. d. | Expenditure. £ s. d. From Government ... ... 912 9 8 j Eations ... ... ... 306 1 10 From local bodies ... ... 643 17 2 j Wines, spirits, &o. ... ... 21 7 6 Subscriptions and donations ... 156 17 2 i Surgery and dispensary ... ... 109 10 3 Patients'payments ... ... 82 12 0 j Fuel and light ... ... ... 142 15 8 Other sources ... ... ... 15 7 Bedding, clothing, and furniture ... 37 12 4 Medical services to gaol ... ... 50 0 0 Washing ... ... ... 52 0 0 Salaries and wages ... ... 795 17 11 Funerals ... ... ... 30 4 0 Repairs ... ... ... 66 210 j Printing, advertising, &c. ... 72 7 8 Interest ... ... ... 1 10 3 Insurance ... ... ... 946 Other expenses ... ... 123 12 11 Total ... £1,847 1 7 Total ... £1,768 7 8 Inspection. There is no change calling for remark in either the management or condition of this hospital since my last visit, except that the steward's health is now so uncertain that I am doubtful of his ability any longer to discharge his duties. The doctor's house is very comfortable. The dispensary and other accessories are splendid, not to say extravagant, while the patients are kept in the old wards which ought to have been gutted and rearranged. I believe, however, it is only want of funds that prevents this oldest part of the building from being put in a similar condition with the other parts. I found the ventilation of the wards still very defective, and I hope that something will be done to improve this before my next visit.

KUMAEA HOSPITAL. Number of patients remaining, 31st March, 1888 ... ... 6 Admitted during the year ... ... ... ... 39 Total under treatment ... ... ... 45 Discharged ... ... ... ... ... ... 33 Died 5 Number remaining, 31st March, 1889 ... ... ... 7 Localities from which Patients came. —Westland County and Charitable Aid District, 33; Christchurch Eoad, 4 ; Boss, 1; Stafford, 1; Grey County, 6. Sex. —35 males, 10 females. Nationality. —English, 11; Irish, 11; Scotch, 7 ; Germans,3 ; Chinese, 2 ; Swedes, 1; United States Americans, 1; Colonials, 8.