H.—3.

This is one of the most satisfactory hospitals in the colony. My annual visit to it is a pleasure. The professional ability of the surgeon and his devotion to his work are in the highest degree satisfactory. The nursing staff are capable, and full of enthusiasm for their work. The vexed, question of how to deal with delirium tremens cases has been dealt with here by providing a suitable detached ward, where the troublesome and noisy patients can be treated without upsetting the other patients. The patients are contented and thoroughly well treated.

TIMAEU HOSPITAL. Number of patients on 31st March, 1891 ~. ... ... 26 Admitted during the year ... ... ... ... 219 Total under treatment ... ... ... 245 Discharged ... ... ... ... ... ~. 201 Died ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 Eemaining on 31st March, 1892... ... ... ... 28 Sex. —134 males, 111 females. Localities from which Patients came. —Hospital district, 230; outside hospital district, 15. Nationality.— English, 71 ; Scotch, 27 ; Irish, 51 ; Colonial, 90 ; German, 2 ; Chinese, 1; Finn, 1; Swedes, 2. Religion. —Church of England, 107 ; Eoman Catholic, 65 ; Bresbyterian, 42 ; Wesleyan, 10 Methodist, 6 ; Baptist, 7 ; Plymouth Brethren, 2 ; Salvation Army, 4 ; Jewish, 1 ; Pagan, 1. Total collective days' stay in hospital, 7 ,609; individual average days' stay, 316. Daily average cost per head, ss. 2|d. ; less patients' payments, 4s. 10Jd. Outdoor. Patients. —Individual cases, 211 ; attendances, 761. Bevenue and Expenditure. Revenue. £ s. d. j Expenditure. £ s. d. From Government ... ... 1,018 13 1 I Eations ... ... ... 429 8 7 Local bodies ... ... ... 1,018 13 0 Wines, spirits, ale, &c. ... ... 31 7 0 Bequests ... ... ... 35 0 0 Surgery and dispensary... ... 141 14 5 Eents ... ... ... 14 12 6 Fuel and light... ... ... 169 13 2 Patients'payments ... ... 134 4 5 Bedding and clothing ... ... 72 6 5 Other sources ... ... ... 150 Furniture and earthenware ... 7105 Washing and laundry ... ... 20 13 1 Salaries and wages ... ... 631 6 3 Water-supply ... ... ... 21 17 4 Funerals ... ... ... 7 14 0 Eepairs ... ... ... 312 4 3 Additions to buildings ... ... 52 19 5 Printing, advertising, postage, and stationery ... ... ... 35 10 8 Insurance ... ... ... 16 13 5 Law-costs ... ... ... 28 6 4 Other expenses ... ... 58 1 4 Total ... ...£2,222 8 0 Total ... ...£2,037 6 1 This is an exceedingly commodious building, affording sufficient means of treating all the hospital patients in South Canterbury; but the existence of similarly excellent hospitals at Waimate and Ashburton gives such a plethora of hospital accommodation to this district that the Timaru institution has to be equipped for a great deal more work than it gets to do. For many years there had been a Medical Superintendent who did all the work, but last year the Trustees and the resident medical men laid their heads together and introduced a new system of management, which is as yet on its trial. The medical work is taken in turns by three doctors who are established in the town, and the resident has been dispensed with. It probably was felt that there was not enough work to keep him fully employed. I shall be in a better position next year to estimate the advantage or otherwise of the new departure. Meanwhile lam able to say that the management is as careful and vigorous as ever.

WAIKATO HOSPITAL, Number of patients on 31st March, 1891 ... ... ~. 10 Admitted during the year ... ... ... ~, 169 Total under treatment ... ... ~, 179 Discharged ... ... ... ... ... ... 155 Died ... ... -!-,. ... ... ... 9 Eemaining on 31st March, 1892... ~. ~, .., 15

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