A.—3a

journey which ordinarily occupies thirty-five minutes. Cases of emergency requiring his attendance at Dalice frequently arise after he lias returned to his quarters at Nasau. There are frequent instances in which, owing to the absence of any quick means of transport, he. is obliged to advise emergency measures over the telephone, whereas, if he were able to reach Dalice in a few minutes, it would be of much greater advantage if he could attend personally to the case. Launch transport is very unsatisfactory, owing mainly to the fact that if the weather is at all bad the rough seas make the journey a wet, slow, and most uncomfortable one. Upon arrival all supplies for the population of the clean area must be transported by launch from the anchorage at Dalice to Nasau. There is no landingstage close to Nasau, and it has happened that supplies of bread made, in the clean area for the patients at Dalice, which cannot be transported over the road, have been saturated with salt water while being carried to the launch and during the subsequent journey to Dalice. The provision of a good road would also greatly facilitate the periodical inspection of the various leper villages. These inspections are now made by the Medical Superintendent and the nursing staff either on foot or on horseback — a severe test of endurance during the summer weather. The Committee consider the construction of a good motor-road from Nasau to Dalice to be very desirable, and recommend that the Commissioner of Works should arrange for a proper survey and furnish an estimate of the cost at as early a date as possible. (2) The main advantage to be derived by the provision of a refrigerating plant is that a good and regular supply of fresh meat and vegetables will thus be made available to the staff and patients. The present method, whereby a beast is killed and the meat prepared immediately for consumption, is undesirable. The advantages to both the staff and the patients of an adequate and regular supply of ice need not be stressed. The Committee recommend that a refrigerating plant should be installed, especially as it will be possible to provide the necessary power by connecting it to the new engine which is to be installed for the oil-works. 16. During their visit to Makogai the Committee saw most, if not all, of the patients, including those in the villages and in the various hospital wards. Upon their arrival as .many of the patients as were able to attend were gathered at the assembly-ground and extended a welcome of which the heartiness was unmistakable. On the following morning several mekes, which the Committee learned had been long in preparation, were given by both the Fijian and Cook Islands patients. The spirit with which these ceremonies were performed was not their least impressive feature. 17. Of the general conditions obtaining at the Asylum —the cleanly appearance of the hospitals, the buildings, and grounds ; the obvious air of contentment surrounding the whole institution ; the manner in which these afflicted people can nevertheless enter with so lively a spirit into their many pastimes—the Committee cannot adequately speak. They are the fruits of the devoted labours of the medical and nursing staff. Of the regard in which the present Medical Superintendent, Dr. E. A. Neff, is held, alike, by the nursing staff and the patients, the Committee had ample proof. The selfsacrificing devotion to duty of the nursing sisters, the zeal and skill with which they care for their patients, are beyond all praise. Anything that can be done, either by the Governments concerned or by private individuals, to promote happiness and welfare of the patients is, the Committee know, as much a source of satisfaction to the staff as to those who are directly benefited. I. McOwan, Chairman. Maui Pomare, "] A. Montague, J. M. Hedstrom, of Committee. H. W. Harcourt, | W. Wise, J Summary op Recommendations. (1) That the Leper Asylum at Makogai, should in future, be regarded as an institution to the working-expenses of which each Administration participating in the benefits of the Asylum will contribute proportionately and on a basis of the number of its leper units. (2) That interest at the rate of 5 per cent, on the total capital expenditure of the institution be charged to working-expenses, each Administration receiving credit in its account for interest at the above rate on the amount of capital subscribed by it. (3) That the cost per unit shall be computed at the end of each year and shall be regarded as the rate to be charged to each Administration in respect of the succeeding year. For this purpose a native of the Pacific islands will be regarded as one unit, a Chinese as one and a half units, a European, Maori, or a half-caste of European standard as two units. (4) That the annual statement of account upon which the computation in (3) will be made will comprise— (a) The actual cost of maintenance of the institution, including salaries, provisions, stores, drugs, instruments, furniture, equipment, &c. (b) The actual cost of maintenance of plant, buildings, and other work. (c) A charge at the rate of £500 per annum for administration and supervision by the Medical and Public Works Departments, Fiji. This charge to be reviewed at the end of five years.

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