Medical Report

To the Committee of the Benevolent Institution.

Gentlemen,—During the past year there have been six deaths in the Institution—David Thomson, 67, of chronic lung affection; J. G. Hunter, 60, of general paralysis; J. Cunliffe, 74, cancer of the stomach; Charles Robb, 73, Apoplexy; Mary Jenkins, 71, and Selina Grenford, 66, both of general decay.

The general health of the inmates has been, on the whole, good; that of the children especially so.

The complaints from which the old people have suffered have been almost entirely those associated with advanced years and injured constitutions.

During a few months' absence in the Home Country, my duties were effectively discharged by Drs. Brown and Fergusson.

Seeing, as I did whilst in England, something of the squalor and wretchedness amongst the poor, the conclusion was often forcibly impressed on me with regard to the recipients of our own charity, that their lines have indeed, comparatively speaking, fallen into pleasant places—well housed, fed, and cared for.

Again I would favourably remark upon the attention paid by Mr and Mrs Quin to the thorough cleanliness and ventilation of the Institution, and to the comfort of the inmates.

I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,