TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1881. THE TREATMENT OF THE INSANE.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 139, 13 December 1881, Page 2

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1881. THE TREATMENT OF THE INSANE.

A series of very interesting and exhaustive articles describihg the inner life of the Mount View Lunatic Asylum, have recently appeared in these columns. Ever since tho startling disclosures made before the Royal Commission of mismanagement, irregularities, and brutal treatment, pursued towards some patients under the Whitelaw regime, people have had an uneasy feeling in their minds that some of the bad old Bystem might still find force in the institution. Tho articles of "An Ex-Patient" Bhould set all such doubts at rest. These letters show beyond doubt that the Mount View Asylum, under the regime of Dr. Nkil, has been thoroughly well-mauaged : that cleanliness, order, and kindly treatment of the unfortunate patients wero the univeral rule ; and that the inmates were well-fed, wellc othed, and— except in the " back " ward — comfortably lodged. Furthermore, the bodily health of the patie"ts was well cared for, and they had tho best possible medical attendance. All this is very satisfactory, and the public, and more especially those who have friends or relatives in the Asylnm, will be glad to learn that they are kindly treated. But at this point the praise and words of favonr accorded by "An Ex-Patient " stop. Speaking of the Asylum building and the site upon which it is built, he declares that the latter is about the most iil-choson place for such an institution that could well be conceived. He Bays that the site is essentially a bad one, the building being situated on a bleak hillside, the whole of the land belonging to it broken and hilly, and the only flat ground being that which, athuge cost, has been excavated. Those persons who have visited the Asylum will be prepared to vouch for the accuracy of those statements. Why the Provincial Government, some yeara ago, chose the site in question it is impossible to guess. Before the building could be ereuted at all a large sum had to be expended in excavating the site, and in making a road np the steep hill to it. Now, according to the best authorities, a site for a Lunatic? Asylum should consist of from 100 to 200 acres of flat or gently undulating laud, part of which could be formed into parks, airing grounds, and gardens ; while the rest was put under crop. Then the building itself should cover a large space, bo that there might be sufficiently roomy airing and exercise yards within its walls This is not the case in the Mount View Asylum. The two exercising yards are wretchedly small; in fact, they are little bigger than a fair-sized drawingroom. Thus it happens that those patients who are kept for the most part inside the building do not get anything like an adequate amount of exercise in the open air. An occasional walk or drive outside is not nearly sufficient. Tho patients who work outside in the grounds have by far the healthiest lives, and the best chance of cure for their mental ailments. For the others the Mount View Asylum is a placa of detention — a sort of prison. An asylum should not be regarded as a place for the detention of the insane, but on the contrary, as a hospital for the treatment of mental diseases. Then "An Ex-patient" has pointed out that in the building itself there are serious disadvantages. It seems that the authorities put up a wretchedly unsuitable building at first, and have ever since been making additions to ifc. The new wings are well constructed, and contain good accommoda*ion, but the "backward is snch a miserable and unsuitable plac9 that it ought to be pulled down forthwith. It seems that a sum of has been already expended in making additions to the original build.ng, and that a further sum of has still to be expended. Yet the late Dr. Skae emphatically declared that a new asylum, built on a \ roper site, of at least 10(J acres in extent, will be required in two or three years, by which time accommodation will have to be fonnd for some 3UO lunatics. From what has already been written, it is doubtful whether the best system of curative treatment for mental disease can be properly carried out in the Mount View Asylum. In the first place, curative treatment demands the carrying out of a thorough Bystem of classification. To secure thTs, there must be abundance of accommodation — far more, indeed, than the present Asylum possesses. Ihere are 150 patienta there already, and as the number increases the accommodation will be fonnd insufficient. Then a proper classification of the patients, and the adoption of the modern " nonrastraint" sj stein in their treatment, would necessitate a considerable increase in the number of the attendants. Where the staff of attendants in an asylum is small, mechanical restraint must sometimes be employed in the case of refractory or violent patients. With a numerous staff of attendants, refractory patients can be soothed and humoured into quietne3s. Then it is absolutely essential that the attendants should be men of good character and humane dispositions. On this point the celebrated Dr. Conolly has written :—: — ' The physician who properly understanda the non-restraint eysietn well knows that the attendants are the most essential instrument b j that all his plans, and all his care, and all his personal labour must be counteracted if he has not attendants who will observe his rules when he is not in the wards as conscientiously as when h8 is present." To obtain and retain tho services of good and skilled attendants in the Mount View Asylum, a reasonable amount of pay must be given to them. Yet in this matter the Government have acted with a degree of ill-con-sidered parsimony and niggardliness, which all thinking men mnst condemn. There are 13 male attendants in the Mount View Asylnm. Now, up to last year ten of these attendants were paid wages of jBSO a year, and three of them irom to JUOO. During last session these rates of pay were duly voted by Parliament, and passed in the Estimates. Ihe Government, however, reduced the pay by twenty-five per cent., thus giving the

attendants who had previously received £30 only .£6O. The higher rates or pay were al3O proportionately reduced. This was an entirely mistaken policy. A thoroughly competent Asylum attendant will not stay in his place for a paltry pittance of £60 a year. r ihe workis at times pre ty hard, including much washing and scrubbing, while many of tha duties are of a very repulsiv" na T ure. Then the hours are long, aud the Lfe is very monotonous. Besides, the attendants are obliged to dress well, and for a married man to do that and maintain his family on 25s a week is manifestly impossible. The late Dr. Smcae has strongly condemned this system of underpaying Asylnm attendants. In hiß last report he Bays, Epeaking of the reduc'ion to JJGO a year, "that though men may be engaged ai these wages during a t me of depression, yet he feels satisfied that the pay is not high enough to induce suitable persons to remain in the sjjrvioo, although they may enter it for a short time." Dr Skae's remarks also apply to the case of the female attendants whose pay has been cut down to £30 a year. With the under-pay tydtem no permanent staff of skilled asylum attendants can be obtained. There is still much to be done in improving the system of Apylum treatment in New Zealand. r Jhe judicious treatment of the insane is a progressive science, nobly developed by our fatners and contemporaries, but yet capable of a still wider extension by our sons, labouring in a season when the fair humanities give promise of sweeping away, like a flood, all the old ideas, some of which, in a modified form, still, iv a few instances, surround Asylum life. A meeting of tho Kxecutive Council was held at Government House this morning Present — His Excellency the Governor, the Premier (Hon. J. Hall), the Colonial Treasurer (Hon. Major Atkinson), the Minister of Lauds (Hon. W. Rolleston), and the Post-master-General (Hon. W. W. Johnston.) A quantity of routine and formal bu. o ines3 was transacted. The official declaration of the poll for Te Aro and South Wellington will take place at noon to-morrow. The final return of the polling in Wairarapa North gave Mr. Beetham a majority ot 319 over his opponent, Mr. Renall. There was a sittinc in bnnkruptcy this morning before the Register. Certificates of discharge wero granted to Jam^a (Jibson, represented by Messrs. Buller and Gully, and Fatnuel Young, for whom Mr. Bishop appeared. The Government propose to erect a clocktower on the new Post and Telegraph Offices, and the Public Works Committee of ihe City Council recommend that permission bo granted to construct it of wood, if covered with iron. A slight shock of earthquakke is reported to have occurred at Wanganui at 1 o'clock this morning. A similar shock was experienced here about the same time. The monthy meeting of the Hutt County Council was held to-day. Present — Messrs. Speedy (chairman), Chew, Taylor, Dick, Mason, Perkin3, Lancaster, and Monaghan. It was resolved — ' ' That Messrs. Chew and Mason be appointed to confer the Government relative to the deviations at sections 3 and 4 old Porirua-road, and the deviation on Mr. White's property, and that the engineer be requested to furnish plans." " That Mr. '1 homas Stonnel be allowed to fence in and use as a garden a small piece of land along ; the Npahauranga-road, between the two bridges at the top of the line, at a yeaily rental ot Is, the lessee to give up possession when required." The following committees wero appointed : — Finance Committee — Messrs. Smith, Chew, Taylor, and Dick. Public Works Committee — Messrs. Chew, Tayl >v, Monaghan, Mason, Lanoaster, and Smith. Mr. David Speedy was authorised to sign cheques. The stockyard of Mr. Earp, Tawa Flat, was appointed a public pound, and Mr. E. Earp the yioundkeeper. Accounts to tho amount of £531: were passed for payment. .An attempt will be made at the next meeting of the Hutt County Conncil to bring the Dctr Registration Act into force. The Council have hitherto ignored tho Act. The Public Works Committee recommend the City Council to make the dog tax for next year 7s 6d, instead of 103, as heretofore. The balance of the passengers ex s.s. Wakatipu confined on Somes Island were released from quarantine yesterday. In the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day another case of permitting a horse to 6tra'v on tho railway line was brought, and the offence was proved ; indeed, the defendant admitted it. but, in mitigation, said that the line was not fenced. Mr. Fitztterald, who appeared for the Eailway Department, said that the practice was a common one, and asked that the Bench should inflict an exemplary fine. Owners of cattle and horses would not take any warning, and he pointed out how public safety wa3 endangered by animals being thus allowed to stray. The Bench, as this was a first offence, took a merciful view, aud inflicted the lowest penalty of 10a. A meeting of the Committee of tho Wellington Industries Association was convened for last night, and all interested in Messrs. Joubert and Twopenny's Industrial Exhibition wero invited to attend. Only three nersons appeared to be at all interested in tho matter, and so the meeting lapsed. The first annual meeting of the Wellington Rifle Association was held last evening at the Volunteer Drill Shed, there being a very good muster present. After tho usual routine business had been disposed of, the annual report and balance-sheet was brought forward and gave general satisfaction, tho balance-sheet showing a small balance in hand. Tho president and office-bearers of the association were unanimously re-elected. Tho election of secretary and treasurer fell to Sergeant-Major Loveday and Lieutenant Gell respectively. The following were then elected a committee for tho ensuing year :—: — Captain Crowe, Lieutenant M'Credie, Lieutenant Hislop, Sergeant Tayton, Sergeant Burr, P. O. Franco, aud Corporal Kutchen. After a vote of thanks had been accorded to the retiring secretary and treasurer (SubLieutenant Ballinger and Lieutenant Gell) for the energetic way iv which they managed the affairs of the association, and the usual vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting closed. A correspondent, signing himself " Inquiry," writes to us as follows :—": — " Can you tell me if the Captain Northcroft mentioned a3 returning to Waikato is a Sub-Inspector in Ihe Constabulary as well as Resident Magistrate?" In reply, we may state we believe Captain Northcroft does hold both positions. It may bo remembered that he took a somewhat prominent parh in the recent operations at Parihaka. The Match Committee of Cricketers' Association was held last night, when tho following players were selected to visit Nelson at Christmas : — Messrs. Alpe, Armitage, Blacklock, Brown, Firth, Hickson. Kennedy, Kaapp, Luxt'ord, Lynch, M'Girr, Manseil, Marchant, and Salmon. The practice days are fixed for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday?, on the Newtown Reserve. A large and appreciative audience assembled at St. Mary's High School, Hillstreet, last evening, in re?ponse to the invitation of the Lady Superior, to witness an entertainment by tho pupils. This consisted mainly of two little plays — one in French, " Charles 11." — and the other in English, entitled " The Sleeping Beauty." In the former, parts were taken by Misses Redwood, Worthington, Beeves, Archibald, Tabor, Grace, M'Guire, Hamerton, M. Grace, A. Saunders, Scully, and May Redwood. The play 3 parsed off with great success. Not only was the pronunciation good, but the young ladie3 acted with an amount of intelligence that showed they thoroughly understood what they were abiut, and bore ample testimony to the excellence of the system of instruction pursued at the schools. The performance of "The Sleeping Beauty," in which the more juvenile pupils took part, was also worthy of great praise. Not only was the acting good, but the piece was "mounted" and "dre3sed," to use the pr Sessional expression, in a way that showed the highest taste and skill on the part of thoße under whose direction the plays were produced. The following young ladie3 took parts in this play: — Misse3 M'Guire, M'Namara, M. Chavannes, L. M'Guire, O. Redwood, M. Grace, N. Redwood. A. Grace, L. fccully, May Redwood, Bennett, M'Caffrey, J. Worthington, Rowe and Bradley. During the evening some well-selected pieces of vocal and instrumental music were contributed in admirable style by the Misses Hare, M'Donald, Reeves, Chavannes, Hamerton, S. Reeve 3, N. Redwood, May Redwood, E. M'Caffrey, and Hilda and Blanche Hamerton. A German recitation was given by Miss Redwood, and one in Italian by Mis 3 Scully. Altogether the evening's entertainment was of an exceedingly pleasant character, and the result 3 must have been gratifying alike to the scholars, their parents, and the authorities of the school. This evening another entertainment will be given, and on Wednesday the prizes will be distributed by his Lordship, Bishop Redwood. The sensational drama, " It's Never too Late to Mend," was repeated at the Theatre Royal last night, and will be played for the third time this evening. There was a very good attendance at the regular session of the Pioneer Lodge last evening at the Good Templar Hall. It being the sisters' night, the Lodge was officered by sisters, Sister H. Brown acting as Chief Templar. Five candidates were admitted to full membership. Notice wa9 received from the Olive Branch Lodge that they intended to pay the Pioneer a fraternal visit next Monday evecing. An amount of business having been got through, the Lodge was entertained with piano EOTO3, song«, and reoitatiom, given by memberi.

The tender of Mr. W. Evan3 for leasing the Town Belt Ke3erve, Grant-road, has been accepted, the tender being iJ2O. Mr. Curtis' tender for the lease of the Town Belt Reserve, near Stanley-street, ha 3 been declined, boi g too low. The City Council wi'l, among other things, on Thursday evening consider a { r 'posal to give Mr. M. Bohan, Manners-street, Js"2sO to r. move his present buiHinga to the new line of tootpath, and to abolish his balcony. Custom House Quay is to be flagged its entire width from the Queen's Wharf to th<3 premises of the Mercantile Loan and Agency Company. An advertisement announces that the Naval Brigade will mnster specially tomorrow evening at 7 o'clock, ia orde-* to make arrangements for organising a sham fight and night attack on Mount Victoria very Ehortly. It is intended to make tha display on a far larger ecale than on the.last occasion of the kind. A Tough-and-tumbla fight took place at the wharf on board the s.s, Jane Douglas last evening between two sailors named Hayman and Kelly. The latter was taken to the lock-up, but as the other man refused to prefer any charge against him. he was released. Mr. Cary's Juvenile Company open at the Prince&s lheatre on Monday next in " The Pirates of Penzance." The youngsters have been carefully drilled in the music by Mr Cimino, and are now being coached in their acting by Mr. Cary. New dresses and scenery wiU be nsed for the play, which will bo produced here on four evening 3 only Ihe nomination of officers for the Court Sir George Bowen, A.0.F.. took placa last evening. For the C.R., Bros. R. 11. Cate and Willow; for S.C.R., Bros. Bryant, Sexton, Beau nont, Stace, and Inkersoll ; for S.W., Bros. J trr, Danks, and Winter ; for 1.W., Bros. Winton, Haynes, and Overend ; for 5.8., Bros. W. A. Smith, Barnes, Beaumont, and Hainea ; 1.8., W. Haines. The secretary, Mr. P. Fauvel, was re-elected without opposition. For the office of treasurer, Bro3. Birch, Cate, and Claridge were proposed. Bro. M'Vicar was elected assistant - secretary. The elections take place on the 2ind insfc , instead of the regular night, the 26th inst , as the latter is Boxiug night. Tho Rising Star Juvenile Temple held its weekly session last evening at the Athenoeum under the fcupermtendenco of Mr. W. Johnson. Uhe City Missionary, Mr. D. Hall, gave a suitable address, after which several of the members gave readings, and then tho Temple closed in the usual way. Yesterday's Lyttelton Times states t l at Mr. De Lins, the well-known theatrical manager, ia dangerously ill. The Dunedin firm recently mentioned in our telegrams as being transformed into a Joint Stock Company, is Messrs. Cargill, Gibbs and Co. Tho company ha 3 be?n formed in London, and the business will be transferred on Ist January. Wo (Manawatu Times) understand Mr. Thomas Manson has disp sed of his interest in his drapery establishment to Mr. J. B. Hamilton, Cuba-street, Wellington, and the latter will take possession in February. Mr. Edward Wakefield apparently does not take his defeat in good part. Addressing the electors of Geraldine at the formal doclaration of the poll, he thanked the electors who voted for him, and characterised Mr. Hayhurst's conduct as mean, in retiring in favour of Mr. Postlethwaite to keep him (Mr Wakefield) out. He added that if tho electors of Geraldine thought they wern going to stop hia political career by keeping him out, they made a great mistake. Two natives arrived in Cambridge recently, having driven in a one-horse buggy from Wellington, a distance of 400 mile 3. It is stated by the Waikato Mail that tins is the first time the journey overland has been performed. It was done in nine dtys, tho natives stating that had it not rained heavily part of the way they would have been iv Cambridge fully two days sooner. Ministers have no reason to be satisfied (the Lyttelton Times thinks) with the result of the elections. " The summary of opinions which we pubMsh in another column (says our contemporary) is an indication that in all probability the end of Mr. Hall's tenure of power is at hand Out of 91 membcr3 of the new House of Representatives, the Government cannot count on more than 35 declared supporters, (if the romainder, 38 have declared themselves as Oppositionists, while 18 are Independent. Of the latter, six may be described as Independent with Ministerial leaning- 1 , viz. : — Messrs. Peacock, Dargaville, E. G. Wright, A. P. O'Callaghan, 11. S. Fish, and Jowitt. It is therefore clear that if the Opposition plays its cards properly, it may count upon at least 49 votes, with the Speaker, probably, t-'ir G. M. O'Rorke, in the chair, against 41 given to the Ministry in a full houae. This ia on the assumption, a not too probable one, that all the Independents with Ministerial leanings declare for the Government. 'Ihe other Independents hold the balance of power." Tho Pr ss, on the other hand, thinks that the elections have not materinlly altered tho relation of parties, the Government, in its opinion, being left with about tho same majority as it had last session. Intending investors in the Wosport Coal Company are reminded that the share list closes to-morrow, and prompt application should be made to the brokers, Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald & Co., by all who are desirous of investing in a company whoso shares have been so largely applied for. Among other signs of returning prosperity, it is gratifying to notice that some of tho Wellington business men aro finding increased accommodation in their premises necessary. We notice that Mr. W. Clark, draper aud clothier of Lambton Quay, has just added to his place of business the adjoining Bhop lately vacated by Messrs. W hittaker Bros. It has beon tastefully fitted up, and will be devoted solely to men's and boys' clothing and mercery. The removal of this department to the new shop wi I add greatly to tho convenience of Mr. Clark's lady customers, and no doubt the result will be a still further increase of business. Messrs. Pa c coe and Co., in view of the " festive season." have made special arrangements for supplying the public with their exhibition ales. Particulars will be found in our advertising columns. A new millinery aud dressmaking estab- ¦ lishment haa been opened by Miss Radford, as per advertisement-. The lady in question has had largo experience in the first London establishments, and cannot fail to ensure the approbation of her patrons. The sale of the Levy estite is causing somi excitement among those who desire to buy for building or speculative purposes. It will be seen from a special announcement in our advertising columns, that the Wellington Trust, Loan, and Investment Company are willing to advance three-fourths ot the purchase money to any suitable purchaser, at the low rate of 7J- per cent, interest per annum. It will also De noted that the execute rs of the estate have paid into tb3 Corporation funds the whole cost of the formation of the two new streets — " Lipman street" and "Levy street," and that the Public Works Committee of the Council have given the necessary permission for their construction, which will be done forthwith. The advantages connected with such liberal and sensible action will no doubt be duly appreciated by those who desire to pnrchase. Messrs. Laery & Campbell will sell to* morrow, fruit, merchandise, &c. Messrs. Francis Sidey & Co. will sell tomorrow, furnitnre, &c. Messrs. Croskery, Hasell & Co. will sail to-morrow, produce, &c. George Thomaa will sell to-morrow, fruit, produce, &c.

Among the numerous novelties now on view at Te Aro House, nothing is more charming and effective than a selecb choice of Brocaded Satins, in all the most fashionable Bhades. These are well worthy of early inspection. The ladies of Wellington would do well also at the same time to look at the recent additions to the already choice Btock of Millinery Goods . The very latest fashion s in feather straw, satin 6traw, tascan, and crinoline hats and bonnets are marvels of beauty, are exceedingly becoming, elegant in shape, and being limited in quantity, will doubtless go off very rapidly. Beantifully shaded ostrich feathers, of a large size, and very moderate in price, should also command a fair share of attention, whilst the very large assortment of new goods in every department should evidently connsel an early vi-ifc to Jameß Smith's, Te Aro House.— [Advt.] "Handsome ia that handsome does." Since tho firm of Graves & Fleming started business in this city, their great aim has been to sell a superior quality of goods at the lowest possible price; this they have successfully succeeded in doing, and they now reap their reward by securing the entire confidence of the pnblic, and consequently a large increase in business . Their name has now become a household word, and their famou3 cheap prices are known and appreciated over the length and breadth 01 the ; province. Everyone ia cordially inviced to visit tiieir establishment (the corner house, Te Aro), when every civility <md attention will be paid to them. — [Al-vt.]

They'll carry yon to Chicago for 3d01., but it costs 21dol. to get back. But it is worth 3ev«n times as much to getaway from Chioago as it is to get there. — Bo»ton Post.