A.—4

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Enclosure No. 4. Message No. 2.—Cook Islands Paeliament. Dr. Caldwell, late Medical Superintendent of the Cook Islands Hospital, has sent to the Government the following report, which is now laid before Parliament for its information. The report is a continuation of that made by Dr. Caldwell to 30th June, 1896, and covers the following two months, after which the Hospital was handed over to the Board, to whom his subsequent reports have been made. Makea Takau, Ariki, Earotonga, 6th July, 1897. . Chief of the Government.

Statement of Work done in the Cook Islands Hospital in July and August, 1896.

J. E. Caldwell, M.D., Physician and Medical Superintendent of Hospital Earotonga, 26th June, 1897. during time indicated.

Enclosure No. 5. Message No. 4. The report of the Hospital Board for the quarter ending 30th June, 1897, has been received, and is transmitted herewith for the information of Parliament. No report for the months between August, 1896, and March, 1897, has been yet received. Makea Takau, Ariki, Chief of the Government.

Eepoet of the Hospital Boaed to the Chief of the Goveenment, in accordance with section 3 of the Hospital Board Act of 1895. It affords us very great pleasure in bringing before you this the first report of the work done by your Hospital Board. The Board was appointed and took office on the Ist September, 1896, consequently has only been ten months in office. They found the Hospital under the charge of Dr. J. E. Caldwell, with Miss Young as nurse. On the sth October the Board, in the meantime having carefully considered the financial position of the Hospital, resolved to give three months' notice to the doctor and the nurse that their agreement made with the Government would then cease. On the 13th of the same month a sub-committee of the Board waited upon Dr. McLennan to ascertain upon what terms he would take over the work of the Hospital, Dr. Caldwell having notified the Board that he did not intend to continue in the service of the Board after the end of January, 1897. Dr. McLennan signified his willingness to assist the Board as soon as Dr. Caldwell retired. Thus the matter remained, but prior to the end of the year Dr. McLennan left Earotonga. In December the Chairman was empowered to make inquiries in New Zealand as to the likelihood of being able to obtain a Medical Officer from there, but, owing to the very meagre salary at the disposal of the Board, he was unsuccessful. On the Ist February, 1897, it was resolved to write to Dr. Caldwell, asking him. upon what terms he would continue to act as visiting Medical Officer, but he replied that he could not accept the position. On the 29th March last a special meeting of the Board was held to meet Dr. G. Craig, who had a few days previously arrived from New Zealand, with a view of entering into an engagement with him. Dr. Craig laid before the Board a large number of testimonials and certificates of qualification. Among the former were recommendations from the New Zealand Government Inspector of Hospitals and Lunacy, which stated that Dr. Craig had been in the employ of the Government named, and had given the greatest satisfaction; from the Lecturer in Chemistry and Examiner in Chemistry at Edinburgh ; the Medical Officer of Health at the same place ; and others, all showing that Dr. Craig had held various offices as a medical man with satisfaction to all. He had held the position of Demonstrator of Anatomy in the town named, and was an eminent pathologist. The Board, in view of these most satisfactory recommendations, decided to engage Dr. Craig as Medical Superintendent to the Cook Islands Hospital for a term of twelve months from the Ist April, 1897, the remuneration being at the rate of £180 sterling per annum. For that amount Dr. Craig was to

1896. O aj M 2 "5 o m a §Wfg *W 03 o-g - j. PI CD III I* K P CD O 05 s s <D o 1-s'f o n <d g <" P. S a^ «> a © o Is- — w O -w a S|te 3 ffi »s July August 23 15 i 896 405 86 47 935 365 112 62 1,831 770 Totals 38 1,301 133 1,300 174 2,601