A.—4

23

provide a suitable nurse, medicines, food, and attendance to all patients at the Hospital, as required. Dr. Craig, in accepting the position, informed the Board that they would, in addition, have the benefit of the advice of his brother, who also was a member of the medical profession. The Board, in securing the services of Dr. Craig, congratulated themselves upon at last having obtained the services of a thoroughly qualified officer, and the Board trust their action will meet with your Government's approval. On the 7th April a new set of rules for the guidance of the Medical Officer, patients, and visitors were adopted, and herewith is attached a copy. The Board since taking office have had very hard uphill work in keeping the Hospital in anything like the condition it should be, but they are pleased to be able to inform you that they believe they have been successful. Dr. Craig in his position is giving the very greatest satisfaction —a fact that is very pleasing to your Board. During our term of office several necessary works have been carried out, but there are many other very pressing works to be done, but want of funds considerably cripples the Board ; and to remedy this your Board would ask that an appeal be made to Parliament to substantially increase the present hospital revenue. Herewith are attached report of the Medical Officer, also statement of receipts and disbursements and assets of the Board up to the end of June, 1897. The Board, in conclusion, wish to place on record the very valuable aid given to them by Messrs. Donald and Edenborough, the Union Steamship Company, the Eev. Mr. Hutchin, and the Eoman Catholic Mission, and others, C Kohn, Chairman, Cook Islands Hospital Board. Cook Islands Hospital, Earotonga, Ist July, 1897.

The following is an abstract of the accounts appended to the report:— Receipts. £ s. a. From the Government (eight months) ... ... ... ... 120 0 0 Donations from Eoman Catholic Mission ... ... ... 250 Donations from Messrs. Donald and Edenborough ... ... 5 6 8 Donations from Union Steamship Company (Limited) ... ... 2 0 0 £129 11 8 Payments. To Dr. Caldwell, salary, September, 1896, to February, 1897 ... 37 10 0 Miss Young, nurse ... ... ... ... ... 12 10 0 Incidental expenses, September, 1896, to February, 1897 ... 12 12 6 Labour, September, 1896, to February, 1897 ... ... ... 7 10 0 Firewood, &c. ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 12 0 Donald and Edenborough ... ... ... ... ... 100 Te Torea ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 8 0 V. Estall ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 16 0 Ah Sin .. ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 9 0 Cook Islands Trading Company ... .. ... ... 15 0 6 Earotonga Coach-factory ... ... ... ... ... 4 10 0 Dr. Craig ... ... ... ... ... ... 30 0 0 £123 18 0 Balance in hand ... ... ... ... £5 13 8

Medical Officee's Eepoet for Quarter ending 30th|June, 1897. Me. Chaibman and Gentlemen, — I have the honour to submit to you an official report of the progress of this institution,'and the work carried on during the past three months. On taking charge as Medical Superintendent I found that the equipment of the building was very deficient. Many of the deficiencies have been remedied. The present Board have supplied beds and bedding, kitchen utensils, and a few other arrangements for the ordinary comfort of patients. Purely medical and surgical appliances have been supplied by me. The building, though substantial, is in many respects unsuitable for hospital purposes. There is no drain. The two large rooms communicate directly with each other, and, as one has to be used as a female and the other as a male ward, much inconvenience has been caused by visitors passing through. The institution falls very far short of a modern hospital by failing to supply nursing. Skilled nursing is an essential part of any hospital, however limited the number of patients. I feel that the patients treated during the past three months would have been more comfortable had there been a trained nurse to attend to them, and cases might arise where the want of skilled nursing would make itself painfully felt. In giving the institution the name of " hospital " a wrong impression might be conveyed to the public here and elsewhere, as the funds at the command of the Board are barely sufficient to provide skilled nursing.