THE HOSPITAL PREMISES.
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Some further improvements have been made in the general condition of the Recreation Grounds, and, as far as the soil will admit, in the laying out of the Gardens.
I take this opportunity of thanking Mr. FORD for the kindly assistance he has given.
The following improvements would greatly tend to the cheerfulness and security of the premises:— 1st. The substitution of a low parapet wall surmounted by a substantial open iron railing in place of the present high wall along the Hospital Road frontage of the premises adjoining the main building.
2nd. The substitution of an iron railing instead of the present, temporary bamboo fence along the High Street frontage of the grounds adjoining the Superintendent's House and used as a Recreation Ground for the convalescent patients.
THE HOSPITAL STAFF.
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The Senior Apothecary Mr. CROW has been employed as Acting Sanitary Superintendent. Mr WATSON and the two Student Apoth caries, one of whom Mr. CHAU KAM TSÜN was ap- pointed after a competitive examination on the 15th October have worked well and given every satis- faction.
Mr. WATSON'S duties and responsibility have been somewhat increased during this last year owing to the Small-pox Epidemic, to the absence of Mr. CROW, and to the increased number of patients under treatment in the Government Civil Hospital.
I take this opportunity of thanking all the Officers for their ready assistance and attention during the past year which as will be seen from the returns has been one of increased pressure.
The increase in the clerical work of the Hospital rendered it necessary for me to recommend the appointment of an assistant clerk.
I am glad to see that provision has been made in the Estimates for this additional officer, as the importance of keeping the records of this Department to a high standard is of considerable practical utility.
NURSING STAFF.
We commenced this year with the services of ex-Policeman CUBIT and of H. CARNEIRO as European Wardmasters, both these officers had to be trained in their duties as they were entirely un- acquainted with nursing.
With reference to the former I cannot speak too highly of this Officer; owing to the expiration of his term of service in the Police he left the Colony on 6th November last.
I regret that Junior Wardmaster CARNEIRO proved unsuitable for his post, and on the 20th of July his services were dispensed with.
Finding it impossible to obtain a suitable trained man in the Colony I recommended on the 21st July that a Wardmaster be obtained from England such officer to have served in the Army Medical Staff Corps.
On the 1st August W. SPONG, Assistant Turnkey at the Gaol, was appointed temporarily as Junior Wardmaster.
CHINESE NURSING STAFF.
The new rules drawn up in conjunction with the Colonial Surgeon, shortly after my arrival have worked well so far.
With this class of servants constant watching and supervision are absolutely necessary.
To interest them the more in their work with the aid of Mr. Lo CHEUNG-IP as Interpreter I gave a short course of lectures on Nursing.
CHAN-A-LOK, Chinese Wardmaster, I have found very useful not only in the Nursing Depart- ment but also in Post Mortem examinations and as Interpreter to the Chinese patients; having been in the Hospital for over twenty-two years he is anxious to resign, not feeling strong enough to carry on his work. However at the urgent request of Dr. AYRES and myself he agreed to remain on until our Nursing Staff became more adequate.
I regret having to report that there has been considerable sickness amongst the members of the Nursing Staff.
The total number of Staff employed at the Hospital was 44, out of this number twenty-nine Officers were
'warded' during the year for illness, of these fifteen were laid up with Malarial Fever, the earth-cutting and filling-in of the space between the main building and the new wing being in my opinion an important factor in the causation of this-during one week the two Acting European Wardmasters, two Chinese cooks, and two Chinese nurses as well as myself were laid up with Inter- mittent Fever.