H.—3l

138

Department of Public Health, Te Waikato Sanatorium, Cambridge. The Medical Superintendent, Te Waikato Sanatorium, Cambridge. I big to submit the following report for the year ended 31st March, 1908 :— The present battery was installed about four years ago, and had a storage-capacity of 100 amperes. This, however, has become very much reduced owing to deterioration, overwork, &c. The consumption of current has increased quite 100 per cent, since the installation. Owing to the decrease of storage-capacity and increased consumption of current, it has become extremely difficult to meet the present requirements. I therefore beg to suggest that the present battery be replaced with a 200-amperes-hour battery. The cost of this would be approximately £95. The old battery, if disposed of, would probably realise about £40. This would reduce the cost of the new battery to about £60 landed in Auckland. By this means a considerable saving would be effected in fuel and time. When Captain Hennah made his visit of inspection he complained strongly of the small quantity of water available in the event of fire arising, and recommended that the storage be increased to 20,000 gallons, the present capacity being 7,000 gallons. During the last twelve months a large amount of connections have been added to the waterservice, and the present storage is equal to only one and a half days' supply. Thus, in the event of the machinery becoming crippled at a critical moment a very serious accident might happen which a reserve of water would avert. Work done during the Year. Additions and improvements to water and heating apparatus for the past twelve months. One 11-horse-power multitubular steam-boiler, destructor, and steam-generator combined, complete with hydraulic and force feed. Drying-room fitted with 200 ft. 2 in. steampipes, supplied with steam from destructor-boiler. Laundry copper and sink fitted with steam-coils for boiling. Kitchen and scullery sinks fitted with steam-jets. Porters' room fitted with two jets for disinfecting and sterilising. High-pressure caliphont fitted in Ward Colony bathroom, also high-pressure caliphont fitted in Plunket Colony bathroom. Water laid to pigsties, 600 ft. Jin. piping; water to Ward Colony vegetable-garden, 350 ft. | in. piping; water to kitchen-garden, 250 ft. \ in, piping; water to cottages, 1,400 ft. Jin. piping. J. Fleming, Engineer. Department of Public Health, Te Waikato Sanatorium, Cambridge, 11th April, 1908. Memorandum for the Medical Superintendent, Te Waikato Sanatorium, Cambridge. I have the honour to submit the following report upon the farm and stock : — Since I took charge on the Ist October, 1907, the following is an outline of the work done: Three acres of potatoes, which up to Christmas promised well, have been planted, but owing to the exceptionally dry season and being planted upon a dry ridge, the result is a light crop. There should, however, be sufficient potatoes to meet the demands all winter. The 3 acres of swede turnips which were sown opposite the nurses' cottage turned out an excellent crop. It was also intended to sow some late turnips, but owing to the rain holding off so long it was considered simply waste of time to manure and sow them. An anxious time was spent during the dry spell and the consequent fire in the bush around, and a deal of labour was expended both in putting out incipient fires in our own bush and taking precautious against any possible risk of fires on the adjoining properties spreading to the Sanatorium. The 50 acres of bush which w r ere cleared last season gave a most satisfactory burn, and are now being sown in grass; I am confident it will carry a good deal of stock next summer. There is no sound reason why we cannot produce our own milk-supply at half the present cost, as we shall have about 60 acres of young grass, well sheltered and watered, and very convenient to the Sanatorium. We shall, I believe, be able to grow plenty of winter feed, which is the main necessity in connection with winter dairying. Tenders have been invited for the^fencing of the newly burned bush and the new pig-run; these will, it is hoped, be ready by the end of April. We have on hand forty-five pigs, some of which are now ready for slaughtering. I have no doubt that in the future we shall be able to supply our own bacon. The horses are looking well, with the exception of the black mare Betty, which the veterinary surgeon has advised being spelled for three months. There are on the farm two draught geldings, one draught mare, one buggy-mare, and two hacks. Of the geldings, one was recently purchased for the sum of £40, after having been passed as sound by the Government Veterinary Surgeon. This horse has given complete satisfaction in every class of work. The formation of the road from the Plunket Colony to the main building is about completed, but will require to be metalled before the winter to make it a really good job. One hundred and twenty-five sheep for killing purposes were bought, and of these and the lot on hand, 137 were killed including some fat barren ewes; there are now on the farm 25 ewes and 15 lambs. The new slaughterhouse is erected on a good site, with a fall to a gully for drainage purposes. A sheepdog was purchased for £5 for mustering, and is proving satisfactory. Sanction was obtained for a man for three months for cleaning out the drains on the flat and fencing-in the killing-paddock, but, owing to bush-fires breaking out in this district and taking precautions against any possible risk to the Sanatorium in the nature of clearing scrub, this labour has been largely diverted to other purposes. I would suggest that a grant of £50 be given