therefore, by well to make provision for eight on the staff. Of these, it is desirable that three at least should be of the grade of assistant surgeons.

There is at present no member of the staff on this senior grade, but there are several whose experience well fits them for it. By being able, from time to time, to promote those officers who show most capability; I hope to sustain, and increase that spirit of perseverance, of energy, and good feeling, which are essential to the well-being of such a Department, and which I am happy to think has hitherto characterised the staff.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,

THOMAS HALE,
Chief Surveyor.

PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL, INVERCARGILL.

SIR,—I have the honour to forward for your Honor’s information, the Second Annual Report of the Medical Department for the year ending 30th September, 1863, with the returns of the number of out-door cases, and the patients who received medical treatment in the Provincial Hospital and Invercargill Gaol during that period.

In making this report, I must, in justice to myself, call your Honor’s attention to the very limited accommodation that has been at my disposal for the in-door treatment of the sick during the past year. Some of the Immigration Barracks, with space for four beds, being my only permanent ward, in which I had to transact all the duties connected with an Infirmary. Occasionally I have had the use of the single men’s compartment, but it was, from its interior arrangements, of very little service for the majority of the cases seeking admittance, as I have appropriated the beds chiefly for surgical cases; it was also objectionable as, being part of the Barracks, the patients were subjected to numerous inconveniences when the main building was occupied by immigrants. A large number of whom have arrived in the Province within the last twelve months. The ground in the vicinity not having been properly drained until lately, the localities surrounding the building, emitting noxious effluvia, rendered the air most prejudicial to the sick under my care, so much so, that as fast erected during the fine weather for extra accommodation I was forced to remove, as my utmost efforts could not prevent an increase of mortality.

From many causes now ended, I have not been able until now to procure proper Hospital attendants, and have had to select them from the list of convalescent patients. The present cook was a patient, whom I teaspeeded for fracture of the stifle some eighteen months ago.

The number of patients, both in-door and out-door, who received medical treatment since September, 1862, greatly exceeds that of the preceding year, attributable to the large increase of the population, both settled and in transit to the goldfields. The impediments I have enumerated in connection with affording requisite Hospital aid, will shortly be at an end; the new Institution being nearly completed will contain all the requirements of a home Infirmary. It will give accommodation to forty patients in large well-ventilated wards; have a matron and dispenser’s rooms, dispensary, baths, operating theatre, and the necessary out-offices. Surgical instruments and medicines have been ordered from England, it being my intention to dispense in the Hospital; for this purpose I submitted to your Honor, and which received your approval. I have engaged a dispenser, who has had eleven years’ hospital experience, and is competent to perform all the minor operations should the occasion require it. Attention is engaged for the hire of two females.

I have much pleasure in stating that the year just ended has been very healthy, no epidemic having appeared in the town contrary to expectations, the two last immigrant vessels having arrived with typhoid fever and smallpox respectively on board. The precautions observed means used to stop the spread of these maladies I have already reported in my reports as Health Officer.

I have to acquaint your Honor that my duties are daily increasing, and the greatest part of my time is engrossed by them, to the injury of my private practice, and would respectfully request that a Resident Surgeon be appointed to relieve me of part of them; no other alternative is necessary at the present time. I would also propose that in case the question of a Benevolent Asylum should arise, it be a distinct and separate charity, as its amalgamation with the Hospital would materially interfere with its efficiency.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your Honor’s most obedient Servant,

WILLIAM GIBSON McGIBBON, M.D.,
Provincial Surgeon.