REPORT BY DR BRABHAM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7093, 7 November 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

REPORT BY DR BRABHAM.

(ffBOM OUR OWN OOBBKSPOKDENT.) Wellington, October 27. An interesting return and memo, from Dr Grabham, inspector of Lunatio Asylums, has baen presented to Parliament. It shows that there are at present confined in the lunatic asylums of the Colony 144 male and 105 female patients who are considered harmless, and who might bo allowed out to tho care of their friends. There are also 14 male and two female patients who, from their finp-ncial position, should be inmatea of a private asylum. Dr Grnbham's memo, ia as follows : " The accompanying return shows the number of lunatioa who might be ea trusted* to the care of relatives; but it ia necessary to add that many of them are not known to have relatives at all, while others have relatives who are totally unfit or unable to take charge of a lunatic, however harmless. As to tho number of patients nho, from their financial position, should be inmatea of a private asylum, the return herewith ca.n only be regarded as a very doubtfnl and approximate one. It is with the greatest difficulty that the circumstances of lunatics aro ascertained by thiß Department—a work which might be materially facilitated (as I have previously urged) by the magistrates who commit the patient to tbe Asylum. Tha figures given in the return aro simply those of patients whp pay £1 per week or upwards, and it is obvious that no private asylum would take them at the price now paid. Whether they could in Borne instances pay a higher sum I have no means of ascertaining, but the Public Trustee, in answer to my inquiries, informs me that he holds only two estates for lunatica which could afford £100 a year to be spent upon the owners. It in very important to add that the only private asylum in this Oolony is not adapted for dangerous lunatics, nor is its proprietor willing to undertake the charge of them. A number of tha inmates of puplic asylums who pay the higher sum for maintenance belong moat de cidedly to this class, and therefore could not be sent to a private asylum ia the Colony."