THE NEW LUNATIC AYSLUM AT SEACLIFF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5325, 14 March 1879, Page 2

THE NEW LUNATIC AYSLUM AT SEACLIFF.

It was a wise thing on the parb of the Government to determine upon removing the Lunatic Asylum to their reserve at Seacliff. That reserve consists of nearly 1000 acres of timbered land ; the soil is of the richest and most productive nature, being a deep vegetable loam upon a subsoil containing the debris of volcanic rock. It is undulating land, with several eminences commanding magnificent views. It is the intention, we believe, of Government ultimately to remove the Industrial School, and possibly, if the Committee consents, the Benevolent Asylum to this land, where many of the young inmate 3 may be profitably engaged in bringing this fine domain into cultivation, and learning the principles of agriculture. Operations were commenced by clearing about three acrea near the railway station and erecting a pioneer asylum, which accommodates 14 working patients and two attendants. Thsse patients, after clearing the ground, fenced it in, and. planted it with potatoes and other vegetables. And such crops ! Well, it is worth anyone's while just to visit the ground and witness the result of this little agricultural experiment. Some half-mile farther up, the contractor, MrWm. Mill, is erecting farm buildings, which will accommodate from 60 to 80 working patients, who will be employed in the vanou3 processes of bringing the land into cultivation, and adapting it to all kinds of crops. These buildings are now well advanced towards completion, and will probably be finished in the course of six or eight wteks. The main building and the two wings, which will enclose a court-yard with verandahs, are 132 x9O feet. The foundations are of concrete, and the superstructures of sawn timber, roofed with iron. Underneath each wing there is a fine concrete cellar, 42 x 22 feet. The central portion of the main building is two storeys in height. A quantity of brick has just been mads upon the ground, and is ready for the kiln. Patients are now engaged in cutting roads and clearing ground for the Asylum, bufc the preciss spot for the buildiDg has not yet been selected, nor has it been determined of what material it will be constructed There is, we believe, an abundance of bluestone upon the land, and there will ba the choice between it and brick and concrete. The entire arrangements connected with the patients, their supervision and workiDg, are under the control of Mr Hume, of T)unedia, and his staff. Mr Alexander Cairns has charge of the works, under Mr Ussher, district engineer.