LUNATIC ASYLUM ENQUIRY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 59, 7 September 1909, Page 8

LUNATIC ASYLUM ENQUIRY.

A GO-AS-YOU-PLEASE SYSTEM. The Royal Commission appointed to enquire into the management of the Parkside Lunatic Asylum, particularly with regard to the treatment of criminal lunatics, presented its report to the' South Australian Parliament on the 26th ult. Tlie commission found that some criminal lunatics had been allowed extraordinary privileges, such as being whole days away from the asylum, and attendances at the theatre. 'Myles Flynn, who received 20 years* hard labour in connection with the Block 14 highway robbery, is proved to have had at least twenty intoxicating drinks on more than one occasion when away from" the asylum in company with, an attendant. Criminal lunatics had also been supplied with tram tickets and money, to be spent in recreation while on leave. The commission found that the niann.er in which criminal lunatics obtained liberty was of an irregular and slipshod character. It recommended the detention of that class in a separate prison ward or separate lunacy institution. The medical staff was undermanned, and the appointment of at least two additional medical experts was urgently recommended, with facilities for pathological work. The official honorary visitors to the asylum had in most cases performed their duties in an altogether perfunctory manner. The commission I'ccommen.ded the appointment of three paid male visitors, including a doctoi- ana solicitor, and one female visitor. It is suggested to deal with criminal malingerers by not deducting from their prison term time spent at an asylum. The evidence disclosed unsatisfactory and insanitary methods connected with stares, rcfts and mice having access to provisions. .The establishment of a bakery "on the premises is recommended. The classification of patients is found to be altogether inadequate. Private patients, paying largely above the actual cost of maintenance, were mixed with non-paying patients, murderers, and other criminals, both as regards dining and sleeping accommodation. Myles Flynn was admittedly sane for at least threQ. years before being returned to prison; but was detained at the asylum, owing to the belief of the resident medical officer that he was innocent of the crime for which he was convicted. The .commission says that the establishment of a reception-house, similar to those in existence in Victoria and New South Wales, amounts to a necessity. The licensing of private asylums is reaommended, and the commission suggests the removal of 'Parkside Asylum to a site a few miles from the city, where 800 acres of land are available, the present grounds being altogether too small, and the buildings of an antiquated t"oe. In view of the disabilities burrounding their work, the results obtained by Drs. Cleland and Downey were found to be very creditable.

The running of a tramcar on the Brooklyn section for about an hour before daylight this morning aroused the curiosity of many local residents. Enquiries made showed that the car was being used to haul up the hill a specially constructed wagon laden with poles required for the Brooklyn electric lighting scheme. The young man Clark, who fell off a timoer-laden waggon in the Upper Hutt district last Friday week, and was seriously injured through one of the wheels passing over his body, is reported by the hospital authorities to be making a good recovery. "Twenty-five pound in two months ! Why, that is not much," 6aid an applicant for admission to the Ohiro Home to-day. "Yes; I knocked down £25 in a couple of months. Why, I've spent £25 in a week before now," he added. However, as he had fallen on evil days, and had been ill, assistance was given. It was seasoned with a little sermon by the ucting. chairman on thrift, and I the evils of knocking down cheques. ,