NEW ZEALAND ASYLUMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume C, Issue 11750, 30 November 1898, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND ASYLUMS.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir, —Permit me to forward to you a copy of the Bill introduced ■by me in 1896 lo create Boards of Inquiry- In connection with the lunatic asylums. You will see it anticipates tho suggestions of Mrs Cunnington and your sub-leader in this day’s issue. It was introduced into the House in July, 1896, but was unfortunately slaughtered with the other innocents in September of the same. year. Being defeated at the general election of that'year, I had no further opportunity of advancing the measure. Although opposed by the heads of the Lunacy Department, its 'provisions are so in accordance with the spirit of justice and progress that I trust it may yet become law.— I am, etc.,

G. W. RUSSELL. Christchurch, Nov. 29, 1898. (The following are the important clauses of the Bill forwarded by our correspondent : —2. In connection with each public lunatic asylum there shall be a Board of Inquiry, consisting of three persons, as follow:—The senior Stipendiary Magistrate of the district in which the asylum is situated, who shall be chairman of the Board ; one of the visiting Justices, who shall be appointed by the Govemor-in-Council; and such other person (who may be, but shall not necessarily be. an crtiV ployee at the asylum) as may be elected by the employees at the asylum. The mode of election of the last-named member of the Board shall he prescribed by the Governor-in-Council by regulation made in that behalf. 3. Any person employed at an asylum who considers himself or herself aggrieved by dismissal, fine, reduction of status,| or by any other punishment shall be entitled to appeal by sending notice to the medical officer in charge, who shall, within twenty-four hours of the receipt of such appeal, transmit the same to the chairman. On receipt of the appeal, the chairman siball-notify the other members of the Board, the appellant, and the medical officer in charge, of the date and hour when the appeal will bo heard. The date of hearing the appeal shall be not longer than ten days from the date of the receipt of such appeal by the medical officer in change. At such hearing the Board shall hear the parties, and take such evidence as may bo* offered. Either party may appear by counsel, and the proceedings shall be open to the Press. The appeal shall bo heard in a suitable room at the asylum. 4. If at the hearing the Board finds that the punishment inflicted, was undeserved, or was excessive, the Board shall have power to order that the appellant, if dismissed, shall be reinstated, or to award such other judgment as the circumstances may in its opinion have demanded. If the Board finds that the punishment inflicted was justified, or that the appellant was neglectful or incomfietent, or that the appeal is frivolous, the appeal shall be dismissed.—Ed. L.T.) *£> THE EDITOR. Sir,—We arevgreatly indebted to Mrs Cunnington foy her honest, free, and outspoken words at this’ time,_ when' they are so much needed. “H.G.” is thoughfful and able, but too captious. What need has ho to “ jump down the throat” of “Una Sorella” because she happens to view the subject in another light? No one can doubt but that “ Una Sorella has the best interests of those who suffer in this peculiarly sad way,.at heart, or that her effort to call attention to needed reforms will result in anything but good. I feel sure that she did not quite state what she intended, when she faid that the cause for the increase of insanity lay in the lack of proper treatment. It seems to me that what she really meant was, that for lack of more efficient treatment, slight cases were rendered worse, or even incurable, and thus our asylums were congested. She will pardon me if I have misunderstood. Certain it is, that she has spoken from a heart that feels deeply on the subject. If “H.G.” will consent to be a little less severe, his “matter of fact” way of dealing with the subject will insure, an equilibrium, which will prove instructive and useful to your many appreciative readers.-—I am, etc., . ■ ANOTHER,- MOIgLEE,