Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 656

34.

[viii]

15. To what extent the Hospital is carrying on its work of treating the indigent sick may be seen on reference to Appendix IX. which contains a statement showing the number of patients admitted into the Tung Wa Hospital from 1891 to 1895 inclusive. From this statement it will be seen that during 5 years there were 10,806 male in- patients or a yearly average of 2,161; 1,952 female in-patients or a yearly average of 390; 530,781 male out-patients or a yearly average of 106,156; 272,278 female out- patients or a yearly average of 54,455. All these patients were non-paying patients, the number of private paying patients from 1891 to 1895 amounting to 106 males and 47 females.

16. But in addition to treating the indigent sick the Hospital also performs other charitable functions. It provides free burial for the poor and maintains a cemetery in which the poor are buried. It vaccinates free of charge not only in the City of Victoria but also in the out-lying villages of the Colony, to which vaccinators are despatched at fixed periods. Until recently it afforded accommodation for women and girls rescued by the Pó Leung Kuk or Society for the Protection of Women and Girls, and it still continues to provide food for those women and girls. It houses and feeds male desti- tutes and defrays the cost of sending them to their native homes.

17. A reference to Appendix VII. will show the careful and precise manner in which the records of the Hospital are kept.

18. As to the finances of the Hospital, we consider that they have been well managed, and that the investments of certain funds of the Hospital in house property have been made with great judgment.

19. From the report of the Acting Colonial Treasurer (Mr. Tuoмsox) it appears rts that the Government grant to the Tung Wa Hospital amounted to $115,000. Out of that total amount a sum of $90,000 was placed in the Bank, the remainder having been expended on building. In 1875 a sum of $21,200 and subsequently other sums were withdrawn for investment in house property, leaving a balance on deposit of $34,000.

P. LXXXVI.

20. A valuation of the house properties purchased by the Hospital for a total of Appendix $86,000 has been kindly made for the Commission by Mr. SHELTON HOOPER, Secretary of the Land Investment Company. He values the properties now owned by the Tung Wa Hospital at $215,265.32 or nearly three times more than they originally cost the Hospital. We consider those responsible for these investments are to be congratulated on such a successful result. As regards the rents now obtained by the Hospital from their properties, we are of opinion that they are fair and reasonable. We think it would be an improvement if the accounts of the Hospital were kept in the currency of the Colony instead of as at present in taels, etc.

21. It is contended by Mr. CHATER and Mr. WHITEHEAD that the annual accounts of the Hospital should be audited by Government Officers in accordance with clause 15 of Ordinance 3 of 1870, and with the terms of Governor Sir RICHARD MACDONNELL'S despatch to Lord KIMBERLEY of the 19th February. 1872. in which he writes as follows:-

"I need only add that a vigilant supervision is intended to be maintained over the accounts and expenditure by Auditors appointed by Government. and who at present are the Registrar General for the time being and the Superintendent of the Central Schools,”

The other members of the Commission do not consider such an andit necessary for the following reasons.

Monthly accounts are circulated among members of the Corporation, are posted in conspicuous places, and are sent to the Registrar General. The annual accounts are audited by an auditor chosen by lot from members of the Corporation who have served on the Committee, are always carefully examined by the Committee elected each year, who