137

H.—3l

steampipes to the laundry drying-sheds and boils the water for the copper; gives the necessary hot water for cleaning the dairy utensils and for the scullery, and supplies ample steam for sterilising the sputum-mugs and for the Thresh Disinfector. During the drought the water was laid on to Mr. Magrath's house as a stand-by in case of a recurring drought, and also to the vegetablegarden and fowlhouses; the drainpipes from Mr. Magrath's house and the workmen's cottages were carried further down the gully. The paths at the Ward and Mason Colonies were tarred and sanded twice during the year, and the paths and yards at the nurses' cottage and at Mr. Magrath's house were tarred and sanded once. The tennis-court at the nurses' cottage was treated with breeze coke, rolled, and marked after the old surface had been removed. The path at the nurses' cottage was formed from the gate, and the clay bank was turfed. The road past the Plunket Colony was built up and repaired with heavy metal from the top of the hill; at Plunket Colony the rainwater-pipes were carried to the main drain and into the bush so that the paths are protected. Early in February fires started on adjoining properties and were for a time a menace to the Sanatorium bush and the institution. Our men did good work watching and keeping the fires in check night and day. On the most threatening night the Fire Brigade from Cambridge was brought up. The " Rex " extinguishers belonging to the Sanatorium were carried to the scene of the outbreak, and proved very effectual in preventing the spread. On the 13th February Captain Hennah visited the institution and made an inspection of all the fire appliances, alarms, and extinguishers; he recommends increasing the capacity of the reservoir, because at the end of each day there is insufficient water remaining in the reservoir to be of any service should a fire break out. It would also economize the engineer's time did he only need to pump two or three times a week instead of daily, as at present obtains. I desire to place on record the excellent way in which the work of the staff has been carried out. The Matron, Miss Rochfort, has performed her most arduous duties with the whole-hearted and unselfish devotion which is characteristic of her, and to her happy influence is due the evident contentment and lack of friction which obtains both amongst the patients and staff. The work of the sisters has been performed well, and the great tact shown by them has been greatly appreciated by those under their charge. Sister Urquhart is specially deserving of mention for her good work; she has been a considerable time connected with the Sanatorium, and has fully shown that she is eminently fitted for the special work of an institution of this kind. The Matron reports that the increase in the salaries of the nursing staff granted last year, together with the appointment of a home sister and an additional probationer, has resulted in a happier and more satisfactory condition of things than obtained during the previous year. The additions to the staff have made it possible to lessen the hours of duty for the sisters, thereby enabling them to obtain more rest and consequently to take a keener interest in the most important work of directing the exercises, work, and amusements of the patients. The increase in salaries has enabled us to procure permanent sisters, and has done away with the necessity of so frequently having to engage temporary emergency sisters, who, besides being more expensive to engage, are usually quite unacquainted with the special work of a sanatorium. The health of the nursing staff has on the whole been very good. The sisters and nurses are examined on joining the staff and at intervals subsequently; none, however, has shown any sign of tuberculous infection. There has been some difficulty in obtaining suitable probationers; those, however, at present on the staff give promise of turning out well and appear to be anxious to learn their work. I am under great obligation to Mr. Magrath for the very great assistance he has been to me in preparing slides for microscopical examination. I think it is highly desirable that a microscopical examination of the sputum of each patient should be made from time to time. During the year 528 such examinations have been made, giving in 364 instances a positive result and in 122 a negative, the remaining 42 being doubtful. The first slide is made soon after the admission of the patient, and is mounted and kept for comparison with subsequent ones. This necessarily entails a good deal of work, which has been undertaken and carried out by Mr. Magrath in addition to his ordinary clerical work. With reference to the farm foreman's report (attached), which dates from the resignation of Mr. West, who up till then occupied this position, certain economic changes were effected in the work of the farm. For some years had rented a portion of the hill at the back of the Plunket Colony for grazing the dairy herd; this consisted of 50 acres cleared land which had been down in grass for many years. Owing to the poor results obtained from the cows on account of insufficient pasture during the winter, I recommended that our dairy herd be dispensed with, and that tenders be called for the supply of milk for the institution, the feed which it was necessary to purchase rendering the cost of the milk too high as well as having to contend with a constant shortage during the winter months, which had to be made up by buying milk locally. Tenders were accordingly called for the supply of milk for one year, and the most desirable tender was then accepted. The dairy herd was subsequently offered for sale at public auction and a portion by private treaty, the amounts realised being £90 lis. 6d. and £58 17s. 6d. respectively. It is to be hoped, however, that in the future when sufficient land is ready for their reception we shall again be able to supply our own milk. On the 9th January the Hon. George Fowlds, Minister of Public Health, in company with several members of Parliament, members of Hospital Boards, the Chief Health Officer, and some other prominent people in the Auckland District, visited the Sanatorium. The party, under your guidance and that of the Matron and myself, made a tour of inspection of the institution. I am pleased to be able to say that the visitors expressed their gratification at the systematic manner in which the work of the Sanatorium is being carried out. Edward E. Roberts, Medical Superintendent.