148

Calculations based on the cost and the number of patients during the year show the following results:

Lunatics—Average number of monthly patients, 10½; cost 4s. 0 5-16d. per day.

Females—Average number of monthly patients, 8½; cost 6s 8 9-16d. per day.

Males—Average number of monthly patients, 30 7-12; cost 6s. 5 5-8d. per day.

The Rules of the Institution have been revised by the Committee, and will be in the hands of the public in a few days. They desire to draw attention to Rule No. 14, relating to privileges afforded to mining and other companies, as well as to some slight alterations made in Rules No. 13 and 15, referring to out-door patients, and to which they request particularly to direct the attention of the subscribing public.

The Committee desire to state that although the subject of the Lunatics does not strictly come within their province, they deeply regret that since their last half-yearly report nothing whatever has been done by the Government towards providing increased accommodation for the Lunatics on the Hospital Reserve.

Referring to that portion of the Honorary Surgeons Report as to the present administration of relief to out-door patients, the Committee would only remark that the subject has had their careful consideration; that all the outlying districts have been written to on the matter; and that the best remedial measures have been adopted to endeavour to give gratuitous advice and assistance where only it is requisite, or to such persons as are unable to pay for the same elsewhere.

Subjoined is the Treasurer’s statement of accounts for the year, as well as the Reports of the Surgeon-Superintendent and Honorary Medical Officers, for the half-year.

In conclusion, the Committee recommend the claims of the Institution to the hearty support of one and all, and trust it will meet with the same share of liberality in future as in the past year.

JAMES A. BONAR,
President.

WILL. WILKINSON,
Secretary.

Hokitika, July 25th, 1870.

Report by the Surgeon-Superintendent for the half-year commencing 1st January, 1870, and ending 30th June, 1870.

Remaining in Hospital, 1st Jan., 1870... 35
Admitted since ...... 186
Total treated ...... 221
Discharged cured ...... 137
" relieved ...... 32
Died ........ 9
Remaining in Hospital, 30th June, 1870 43
Total ........ 221

The attendance of out-door patients during the months of May and June was 279 and 240 respectively. Previous to that date no record was kept of them in the monthly returns. The number who have applied daily for relief has varied little during the last six months.

The following list gives the number of patients from each district, male and female separately;—

Hokitika—Males, 36; females, 26. Arahura—Males, 49; females, 6. Kanieri—Males, 48; females, 4. Paroa—Males, 25; females, 3. Waimea—Males, 3; females, 3. Totara—Males, 4; females, 4. Taipo—Males, 2; females, 0. Okarito—Males, 8; females, 2.

The Hokitika district still continues to furnish more than half the entire number of female patients, and the largest number of males belong to the Arahura district.

Different occupations or trades of the patients:—

Miners, 138; shoemakers, 2; butchers, 3; draymen, 2; labourers, 3; carpenters, 8; hotelkeepers, 3; druggist, 1; seamen, 2; painters, 2; tailor, 1; groom, 2; jockey, 1; dealers, 2; storekeeper, 1; accountants, 2; constable, 1; laundress, 2; domestic servants, 2; married (occupied domestically), 34; under age (not ten years old), 6.

During the last six months 29 more miners were admitted into the Hospital than during the previous half-year.

The different countries to which the patients belong:—

England, 85; Ireland, 69; Scotland, 28; Germany, 11; North America, 8; Australia, 7; Switzerland, 5; Hokitika, 3; Italy, 2; Denmark, 2; West India, 1; Tasmania, 1; Spain, 1; Austria, 1.

DISEASES.

I.—Medical Cases.

Rheumatism, 15 (chronic 9, acute 4, syphilitic 3); rheumatic gout, 2; sciatica, 1; lumbago, 1; coxalgia, 1; neuralgia (facial), 1.