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contrasts very favourably with similar ones in this part of the world. The bulk of the population, more especially the European and Indian element, may well feel grateful to the governing authorities for establishing an institution where all and every one may be sure of skilled nursing if not treatment, and may end his days, if such be his fate, surrounded by the utmost care and comfort obtainable so far from home.

LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Tables VIII B and C show the admissions and deaths that have occurred during the year and the diseases for which the patients were admitted. 109 patients were admitted.

Europeans.-No females were admitted during the year. The American female admitted in April, 1895, and the German sailor admitted in April, 1898, are still in the asylum and both quite incurable mentally. No deaths occurred amongst the Europeans. An Austrian admitted with delusions has recovered and been sent home early this year.

Indians. A death occurred as the result of debility in a chronic imbecile.

Chinese. There was an increase in the admissions this year, 97 against 59 in 1899. There were 5 deaths. 53 patients were transferred to Canton and 29 handed over to the care of their friends.

I am glad to say no accidents occurred in the Asylum throughout the year.

Staff.-- Wardmaster ABBOTT was transferred to duty at Kennedy Town in October and his place taken by Wardmaster TONG Po.

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Buildings. These are in a good state of repair but require colour-washing and painting outside which has not been done for many years. I am in hopes that this will soon be done.

MATERNITY HOSPITAL.

This institution is in a very good state of repair and has been made more use of during the year. 54 cases were admitted as against 36 last year. Five cases were not in labour were sent out after a short stay. Of the children born 23 were males and 22 females and in 4 cases the sex was not stated. There were 10 cases of still birth and one child died in hospital. Six deaths occurred amongst the patients-5 Chinese and 1 Japanese. The poorer Chinese unfortunately come in after some considerable delay and are generally the subjects of septicemia before admittance. The better class Chinese are slowly showing a greater liking for the place though not nearly in such numbers as one would like to see as I have little doubt the childbed mortality, which is to a large extent prevent- ible, amongst the Chinese must be pretty considerable. One case of interest is reported in the Appendix. Thirteen cases were wives of Government servants, 29 private paying and 12 free.

Table VIII (d) shows the admissions and deaths in the hospital during each month of the year.

PRIVATE NURSING INSTITUTE.

In February of last year "Stowford" was leased for a year in order to house the two private nurses, two probationers and Sister KATHERINE of the Hospital Staff. As was predicted by the Prin- cipal Civil Medical Officer this house has turned out much healthier and more handy than "Westward Ho." The new nursing institute to be built on the site of the disinfector and to the west of the Sisters' quarters is still under consideration and I have already referred in detail to a better and cheaper scheme for providing more accommodation for the nursing staff.

The private nurses were engaged nursing for 422 days during the year. In addition, as a special favour, two of the hospital staff were 28 days out at private nursing.

The amount received in fees has been $1,886.23 against $1,465 earned in 1899. The fees charge- able, however, were raised in August nearly 20 per cent.

As I have already mentioned Sister ROBINS was unfortunately obliged to proceed to Japan on sick leave for 2 months.

GAOL,

I forward herewith the report of the Medical Officer of the Gaol. The quarters for the staff are rapidly approaching completion and when they are in their new residence a better hospital will be obtainable for the treatment of the sick though the present one is a great improvement on the old one.

TUNG WA.

The report of the Inspecting Medical Officer to this institution is attached. It shows an increase in the number of patients admitted as well as an increase in the number of those coming under proper treatment. The high rate of mortality is explained by the Medical Officer as a large bulk of the patients admitted are either in a dying condition or suffering from some incurable disease.