H,—22

19

A new sterilising-room is badly needed, and also a better out-patient department. The former is an immediate necessity. The Chairman has in hand the question of facilities for escape in case of fire. The Trustees have agreed to the erection of a ward for delirium tremens cases. Extensions to the Nurses' Home are very necessary. As a medical school, the importance to the Dominion of keeping this Hospital thoroughly up to date in every department cannot be too strongly urged. Some of the Trustees recognise this, and a thorough renovation of the whole block is being considered. By the time the report is issued the new wards should be opened, which will allow a better classification of cases than has hitherto been the case.

5. WANGANUI HOSPITAL. Governing body : Wanganui Hospital Board. Honorary medical staff: Drs. Anderson, Reid, Wall, and Wilson. Resident medical staff: Dr. Fergus. Nursing Staff: Matron, Miss McKenny; 5 registered nurses and 17 probationers. Domestic staff : 2 cooks, 1 wardsmaid, 2 housemaids, 2 laundresses, 1 kitchenmaid, 2 porters, 1 gardener, and 1 engineer. Number of beds available for males, 47; for females, 29 : total, 76. Number of patients under treatment during year: In-patients—male 464, female 241—total 705 ; out-patients, 91 (number of attendances, 726). In-patients: Average days' stay, 30'92; average daily cost per head, 4s. sfd. (cost after deducting patients' payments, 3s. 9d.). Percentage of cost of administration on maintenance expenditure, 35'01. Localities from which patients came: Palmerston North, 7; Taranaki, 1; Hawera, 1; Gonville, 8; Auckland, 1; Wellington, 3; Taihape, 28; Bull's, 7; Eastbrook, 17; Taupo, 2; Napier, 1; Patea, 8; Wanganui Borough, 311; Wanganui County, 73; Waitotara County, 68; Rangitikei County, 62; Waimarino County, 54; Hunterville, 16; Marton Borough, 37. Nationality of patients,: New Zealand, 388;, Australia, 40; Tasmania, 10; England, 118; Scotland, 49; Ireland, 64; various nationalities (under 5 in each), 36. Religion: Church of England, 308; Presbyterian, 148; unspecified Protestants, 13; Roman Catholic, 137; Wesleyan, 40; Baptist, 12; Methodist, 10; Plymouth Brethren, 7; Salvation Army, 5; Lutheran, 6; Church of Christ, 3; Theosophists, 2; no religion, 11; various, 3. Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1908. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance from last year ... 987 5 0 Rations ... ... ... 1,331 1 I From Government ... ... 2,561 1 4 Wines, spirits, ale, and porter ... 37 12 2 Local bodies ... ... . ... 1,711 4 9 Surgery and dispensary ... 553 15 6 Subscriptions and donations ... 29 8 0 Fuel and light ... ... 478 3 1 Bequest ... ... ... 3 8 10 Bedding and clothing ... ... 89 4 9 Rents ... ... ... 1,234 6 0 Furniture and earthenware ... 74 18 1 Patients'payments ... ... 754 4 7 Salaries and wages ... ... 1,664 2 0 Other sources (principal items — Water-supply ... ... 170 15 7 Charitable Aid Board — Half- Funerals ... ... ... 23 0 3 share office rent, £32 10s.; Repairs ... ... ... 192 6 0 medical attendance and medi- Additions to buildings ... ... 4 4 10 cine, £150) ... ... 185 1 3 Printing, advertising, postage, and stationery ... ... ... 42 14 2 Interest ... ... ... 75 0 0 Insurance ... ... ... 23 14 0 Other expenses (principal items— x-' Cab-hire and cartage, £26 18s. 3d.; installing gas for heaters, £14 17s. 2d.; road culverts, £12 75.; office-rent, £65) ... 144 11 11 Total ... £7,465 19 9 Total . . £4,905 3 5 Visited in October, 1907, and January, 1908. On the occasion of my second visit there were very few chronic cases. Some four consumptive patients were sleeping on the ward-verandahs. The wards are excellent in design and structure, this being quite one of the best-built hospitals in the Dominion. The women and children's ward is of more recent date; it contains twenty-two beds and some cots. A few alterations have been made in the theatre during the year. The fever wards were empty. The appointments of this Hospital throughout are excellent. The Hospital is very well managed. Dr. Fergus is extremely attentive and zealous in his duties, and as a Matron, Miss McKenny is all that can. be desired. There are twenty-one nurses, one of whom, Miss McMaster, passed first in the last State examination. Miss McKenny has not forgotten to instil into the nurses some of the first principles of hospital economics.