IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10966, 30 July 1921, Page 2

IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL

CONDITIONS AT HOKITIKA. "ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING,” SAYS BISHOP JULIUS. ran rasas Association. CHRISTCHURCH, July 29. "I am not exaggerating when I say that the mental hospital at Hokitika is a disgrace to a civilised community,” Bishop Julius said to-day. “The men are sheltered all night in an old gaol which is alongside the mental hospital, and which, on account of overcrowding in the mental hospital, was attached to it. The old gaol always was an abominable hole—cold, dirty, dark. In the daytime the men are crowded into a fairsized room, but there is no possible classification of them. The women are in still worse case. i Their sanitation, dwelling-rooms, and yards, apart from their cleanliness, which members of the staff try to maintain, are shocking, absolutely shocking. The site on the hill above the borough could not be surpassed. but the use made of that advantage is disgraceful. The institution is on the West Coast, and is out of sight and out of mind. Only those who are in it, those who are associated with its work, and a few others know of its con'dition. I visited it when I was on the West Coast this week. I wish that other visitors to the West Coast would see it also. If they did, they would support .the appeal I now make for improvement or for public demonstrance.” Bishop Julius spoke highly of the members of the staff, whom he said did their best under impossible conditions.