H.—22

50

kept; but here again I doubt the wisdom of accommodating the old and young, including infants, in one institution. Old People's Home, Hamilton. —Visited in January and August. —This place is in a tumbledown condition, and quite unfitted for the purpose. As the Board has been put to considerable expense in the erection of the new hospital, I am reluctant to suggest just at present the erection of a new Home. The best course is to see if arrangements can be come to with the Auckland Board to accommodate the 12 inmates at the Costley Home. Old People's Home, New Plymouth. —Visited in January and June. —There were 30 inmates, 25 men and 5 women. The institution was in excellent order. Mr. Farrar, who had done such good work at the Home, died in the early part of the year, and his wife, who had had asylum experience in nursing, was on my advice appointed Matron-Superintendent, and has given every satisfaction. Ohiro Home, Wellington. —On both visits the place was in excellent order, and the 124 inmates seemed well cared for. A casual ward has recently been added, quite distinct from the Home. It is intended for men only requiring a refuge for a night or two whilst seeking work. It is on a good plan, suggested by the Master, giving simple but sufficient accommodation for the temporary need. Caversham Benevolent Institution. —Visited 16th October, 1908.—There were 244 inmates, 169 men and 75 women. Owing to alterations, one of the wards in the hospital block was empty ; consequently the other wards were somewhat overcrowded as regards beds; nevertheless, eleven beds were unoccupied. The alterations in the above-mentioned wards have been admirably carried out, and there is now excellent accommodation for chronic and incurable cases, which should be sufficient for the requirements of the district for some time to come. If this block be solely reserved for such cases, it is possible that the accommodation for men will be somewhat taxed ; but this might be overcome by using the back ward now used for women for overflow accommodation for men. There is ample accommodation for women. The trustees have placed a registered nurse in charge of the hospital block, and it is proposed to obtain the services of another registered nurse and three probationers, an improvement which I cordially approve. There should be no'difficulty in obtaining these probationers from the hospital, as the nursing of the helpless and incurable is a most important part of a nurse's training. It is to be regretted that the trustees have not seen fit to adhere to their agreement to provide for incurable cases of consumption. The question as to what to do with this unfortunate class of patient has therefore been reopened. Old People's Home, Timaru. —Visited in June and August. —The Board quite realise that this is a most unsuitable place. It is hoped that arrangements can be made to send the inmates to the Ashburton Home. This is also used as a Maternity Home. Also visited during the year. — The Jubilee Home for the Blind, Auckland A well-ordered institution. The Whangarei Old People's Home : Better storage-room is needed. The Wellington Home for the Aged and Needy. The Old People's Home, Gisborne. The Old People's Home, Thames : New beds are badly needed here. The Old People's Home, Aramoho : The infirmary ward was somewhat overcrowded. The Wellington Convalescent Home fulfils an excellent purpose. The Solway Home. Masterton. The St. Mary's Home, Wellington. The Levin Memorial Home, Wellington. The Napier Home. The Pelane Home. The Blenheim Home : This has been since burnt. The Board would be well advised to make use of the Havelock Hospital for the aged, and not go to the expense of a new institution. The Picton Board would in all probability join the Blenheim Board in making th ; s a suitable home for the aged of both districts. St. Andrew's Orphanage, Nelson : An excellent institution, but one of the receiving homes was somewhat overcrowded. The Jubilee Memorial Home, Christchurch : The new chronic wards have recently been completed, but are not yet opened. The Old Men's Home, Ashburton : At this place also the chronic wards were completed, but not yet occupied. The above Homes were for the most part in good order, and were fulfilling a useful purpose.

TABLES. *

INDEX TO HOSPITALS. For purposes of comparison the hospitals in the following tables have been placed in order of average number of in-patients per diem instead of alphabetioally. The following is the order in whioh they are plaoed :— Akaroa .. .. .. 51 Lawrence (see Tuapeka). • South Wairarapa .. .. 37 Arrowtown .. .. 42 Masterton .. .. '20 Stratford .. .. 35 Ashburton .. .. 26 Mangonui .. .. 50 Taumarunui .. .. 55 Auckland .. .. .. 1 Mercury Bay .. .. 44 Te Puia (see Waiapu). Blenheim (see Wairau). Napier .. .. .. 10 Thames .. .. .. 12 Charleston .. .. 32 Naseby .. .. .. 39 Timaru .. .. .. 14 Christchuroh .. .. 4 Nelson .. .. .. 9 Tuapeka .. .. .. 36 Coromandel .. .. 45 New Plymouth .. .. 15 Waiapu .. .. .. 47 Cromwell .. .. .. 46 Northern Wairoa.. .. 40 Waihi .. .. .. 17 Dannevirke .. .. 29 Oamaru .. .. .. 27 Waikato .. .. .. 6 Dunedin .. .. .. 3 Otaki .. .. .. 30 Waimate .. .. 22 Dunstan .. .. 48 Pahiatua .. .. 38 Waipawa .. .. 19 Gisborne .. .. .. 16 Palmerston North .. 13 Wairau .. .. .. 23 Gore .. .. .. 54 Patea .. .. .. 41 Wairoa .. .. .. 49 Grey River .. .. 7 Picton .. .. .. 31 Wakatipu .. .. 43 Hamilton (see Waikato). Queenstown (see Wakatipu). Wallaoe and Fiord .. 24 Havelock .. .. .. 53 Rawene .. .. .. 52 Wanganui .. .. 5 Hawera .. .. .. 28 Reefton .. .. .. 21 Wellington .. .. 2 Hokitika (see Westland). Riverton (see Wallace and Fiord). Westland .. .. 11 Invercargill (see Southland). Ross .. .. 33 Westport .. .. 25 Kaitangata .. .. 50 Southland .. .. 8 Whangarei .. .. 34 Kumara ...... 18 '