ASHBURN HALL ASYLUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10130, 13 May 1896, Page 5

ASHBURN HALL ASYLUM.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION. [BY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION,) Welunutok, Tuesday. The roport of the Commission of Inquiry re the Ashburn Hall Asylum states tint Macalister was improperly locked up alone in a small bedroom where he had means of injuring himself, though his suicidal mania was known. After an experienced attendant left he was put in charge of a totally inexperienced man (Gillespie) who had a pocketknifo, and when Gillespie went into tin lavatory Macalister cut his throat with this knife. Gillospio, however, was very kind and attentive to tho patient. No charge of unskilful treatment was sustained against Drs. Brown and Macdonald. The case was hopeless from tho first. Strong evidence in favour of the asylum generally was given by a number of doctors, but the place, being over threo miles from town, ought to be connected by telephone, The asylum has relieved congestion in the Government asylums. Judge Ward points out that under the Act of 1882 the liconse was granted to tho resident medical practitioner, who is required to live on tho promises, but no such officer has ever resided there. He thinks if private asylums are retained tho provisions of tho law should be strictly enforced.