H.—l

262

6630. Mr. Chapman.} And the matter is now ripe for action as soon as any plan for building is agreed on ? —Yes. Mr. White : The money was distinctly tendered to the Trustees for a nurses' home and for no other purpose. Dr. Batchelor says that the consent of the subscribers can be obtained for using the money for general purposes. This fund was subscribed to by a very few people, Dr. Batchelor says. Mr. Chapman: Was the fund for a gynecological ward subscribed to by a much larger number of persons ? Dr. Batchelor: Oh, yes !by a very much larger rmmbor. 6631. Mr. Chapman : What is the position of the fund for a special gynecological ward ? 6632. The Chairman.] Just tell us how much the fund is, and where it is ?—I do not know. 6633. But there was a fund collected for a gynecological ward ?—I understand so. 6634. Mr. Chapman.'] Here is a letter which Dr. Batchelor wrote to the Trustees. [Letter handed to witness and read : Exhibit lxviii.] On receipt of that letter was this resolution [read] passed by the Trustees ? —Yes. [Copy of resolution handed in : Exhibit lxvii.] 6635. The Chairman.] *So far as you know, this sum is available for any arrangement for building a gynecological ward?— Yes. 6636. Mr. Chapman.] In May last the question of accepting this fund was postponed by the Trustees ? —Yes. 6637. Has any arrangement been made for getting a subsidy on this money ?—No. 6638. The Chairman.] Are these all the funds?— There is a bequest by the late Mrs. Campbell. [Correspondence between Mr. Chapman and Mr. B. C. Haggitt handed in : Exhibit lxix.] 6639. What does the ordinary working-staff of the Hospital number ?—I think that there are thirty-two. 6640. That is, male and female ? —Yes; but I am not sure whether the number is thirty-two or thirty-three at the present time. 6641. What amount of fuel do you use in the Hospital?— The fuel and lighting are mixed together in the returns, but I will supply you with the items separately. 6642. Is your water-supply well looked after ?—lt is the Corporation supply, for which they charge us £52 per annum, paid half-yearly. 6643. Have you found the water faulty at all ? Is it impure ?—Sometimes the water is very muddy. 6644. What arrangements are there at present existing for convalescent patients ?—ln what respect ? 6645. Is there anything in the nature of a convalescent ward ?—There is not. 6646. Is there any place where the convalescent patients can sit when the weather is bad ?— There is a reading-room at the back. 6647. How many will it accommodate ? —From eight to ten. It is also used as a chapel by Mr. Torrance. It is only for males. There is a small greenhouse into which the females usually go. 6648. You say it will only accommodate eight or ten ?—lt will accommodate more than that. 6649. How many patients are there generally lounging about the place—l mean patients in a convalescent condition?— The number varies. 6650. What is the usual number ?—Fifteen to twenty. 6651. That is, males and females?— You do not see many females walking about—possibly from six to eight. 6652. Then, there are about twenty males?— Yes, about that number. 6653. Are there any filters in the Hospital? —Yes, one in each ward. 6654. Are they carefully attended to, and cleaned out periodically? —Yes. 6655. Now, about the nurses: as to their duties, and what is the present state of the nursing in the Hospital ? —The new by-laws are very full in regard to the duties of the nurses. 6656. Are the nurses careful in carrying out the by-laws?—As a rule, they are careful and very attentive. The male warders are also careful men. 6657. Are any complaints made against the nursing by the patients?— Occasionally you get complaints. 6658. How are they dealt with ? —ln minor cases by the house surgeon. When it is a matter of importance it is brought before the House Committee through me. 6659. How many nurses are there on night-duty at the present time ?—Three female nurses and three male warders. There were two nurses up till twelve months ago. 6660. Where do they spend the night ? Are they in one ward constantly ?—There is a children's ward too. 6661. I mean, is there one female nurse to each, occupied ward?— There are more than that, because one of the nurses takes in the lower ward (No. 7). 6662. Do the nurses stay in the ward all the night through ?—I do not think that she does, because they have their meals in a little room off' the ward. But I do not think they would be absent for more than a few minutes, 6663. Has the nurse any other duty that would take her away from the ward ?—No. 6664. If a patient wanted assistance would she be available ? —Yes, always. 6665. Are there any means by which a patient can call a nurse ?—No. 6666. If the nurse should happen to be away, are there any means, as by a bell, by which a patient can call a nurse at night ?—There are no special means. 6667. How is food supplied .to the wards? How is it distributed? —It is put in trays in the kitchen in accordance with the dietary scale for the day. It having been served out in that way, it is then sent up the lift. 6668. How is the lift worked ?—lt is worked by a rope-pulley. 6669. Worked by a windlass ?—No.