THE MENTAL HOSPITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15500, 6 January 1914, Page 4

THE MENTAL HOSPITAL.

A NEW YEAR VISIT, jft RELIEVING OVERCROWDING " < MSseS On Saturday Mr. J. W. Stewart and M . F. G. Ewington, official visitors to tbfc Mental Hospital, paid a visit to that,hi-? tflitution in which are now confined K7 patients, in the care of a staff number,' 83, making a total of 996 persons. Ik | inquired into many matters appertain, to the welfare of the patients, such f'/od, clothing, out-door games, and a:-.- 1 rise, religious services on Sundays, pat£*i ents in seclusion, the infirmary ward, an*, occupation and the general welfare ofpatients. The warm weather made infill of the patients restless, but their physics.' 1 health generally was good. No pat£.iti.were secluded for punishment and 111 were under any mechanical restraint. - I was-found that the food was good : < abundant, the staff adequate and gen . ally things were working smoothly uiis'f\ the direction of Dr. Grey, who vsa« k charge during Dr. Beaitie's tempo;: absence on. holiday. " :• The end of the old year completed fc Ewington'a twenty-seventh year of offi as an honorary official visitor to the insii ' tution. Mr. Ewington writes as folios:/ on the marvellous and gratifying chani;-:! "for the better that have been made duv.'; the last quarter of a century:—Sanital'> has been very greatly improved coiri-.-: ina the difficulties and the immense bumber of persons to provide for in so sir. | an area; a_ well equipped bakehouse :;. making their own bread has been ere< i > in the grounds, and at present, good progress is being made in the erection of *'' durable brick structure which will, it/i .] hoped, relieve the overcrowding for soils ,', time. But the authorities and the pui)& "have yet to make, up their minds to .■ great annual expenditure of money fe provide adequate accommodation fo? the i decided increase of insanity in this district. The accommodation for male"i|jfg tendantg is nothing like so good as ' M oujht to be and the discipline of the stiff" cannot be improved much until better i coinmodatdon is provided. /'v Tile very great majority of the iasana in our Mental Hospital are peaceably disposed, quiet in demeanour, harmless a-mi-kins! to each other, especially to littfa. children who unfortunately are sometime*'; 1 sent there through want or a better pi: - for children. A blind femals pattest w in tb« institution for about 25 years, aid daily experienced most faithful and kind attention from some patients. Some <-* I the patients retain, artistic tastes and j culture as is seen in their needle v-i----sketches, writings, music, coivsrsati* i, and their taste for good literature. Mi ■ .. of thtim appreciate said enjoy tho ooa«oJi;s,* influences of religion, friendship, &M the fact that they can still be of rem* useful service. Of course there are exceptions, just as there are in general society/'; persons who s.rs churlish, indolent |a«2j| unfriendly. Some of the poor souls in ties institution who frequently have long lnds{| intervals feel acutely their present position and are east down by the very h&jfe lessness of it. Of all members of '_>' great human family the insane are reto bo pitied, and as Society secludes i&esl| not only for their good but for its ows good also, it is in duty bound to sleep?, and protect them. The staff in its dlflTsg cult position does much and well lor thc»»>4 On Christmas Eve and New Year's Erf they gave thii patients concerts, whi<M Ihev apprecis.tod very much, and will|§j bowls, billiards, and other games m •"■;•■ patients' hearts are made glad, Praise is , due to those friends who go as a choir or. ; Sundays to help Mr. E. C. Budd, tie chaplain to the institution, to condws. divine service. Thanks are also das W|| those kind friends who send the pi' ; r-'" books and papers ; but all can help ihea»;| materiallv bv keeping in touch with the.-: Mental Hospital and malting it clear tbaa the public will resent neglect of those who. have an undying claim upon the just, cod-:.: siderate and continuous attention of t&fo State Department which is charged with;,' the proper care of so many heirless Mfl precious souls ranging from little child:: 1 *; to aeed p. 'grims of four score years. ;|f|