LUNATIC ASYLUMS REPORT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2059, 10 August 1893, Page 35

LUNATIC ASYLUMS REPORT.

Wellington, August 1. The report of the Inspector of Asylums for the past year was tabled this evening. The number of registered insane persons in the colony on the 31st December 1892 was 1917— males 1154, females 763 ; showing an increase of 39 males and 29 females, or a total of 68. These are distributed as follows :— '

The proportion of the insane to the population in New Zealand (exclusive of Maoris) is 2*95 per 1000, or 1 to 339, and inclusive of Maoris, 2-77 per 1000, or 1 to 361. In New South Wales (L 891) it was 2*69 per 1000, or 1 to 371 ; in England (1890), 291 per 1000, or 1 to 343. Says Dr Macgregor :— " The percentage of deaths on the average number resident during the year was 5 87. In New South Wales in 1891 the proportion was 7*39. Considering the great overcrowding in our four large asylums, caused by the delay in opening the Porirua Asylum, this year has passed with & wonderful freedom from accidents. The total cost per head, including gas and'water, which formerly were paid out of the public works vote, is £21 163 B|d, as against £20 16s 2d for last year. Calculated on ttfb same basis as in former years, and making allowance for a diminution of 1\ per head in maintenance re« ceipts, the cost per head is 2£d less than last year." Of Seacliff Asylum, Dr Macgregor reporbs :— • "At Seaclifi I have succeeded in getting a separate doctor's residence, which will set free the whole front of the asylum for the use of patients, and give a certain amount of additional accommodation for the separation of separate cases. Strenuous efforts are being made to avoid the necessity for any further additions to this building by urging on the completion of the Porirua Asylum, and I earnestly hone that these will belsuccessful. Dr King and his staff are sorely put to it to carry on in the face of tho rapid influx that has recently taken place. We have at length succeeded in securing an abundant supply of water for this asylum, but progress in other directions has had to be sacrificed to the necessity of diverting a very large part of the working strength of the instiI tution to carrying out this indispensable .undertaking, which has been finished in a most satisfactory manner." ~ " Under date December 31, 1892, he writes :— " Have found all departments of this asylum in the usual good order. The total number of patients is 513— males 301, females 212, On the farm 114 men are engaged in regular work ; in the workshops, 37 ; in the wards, 73 mon and 64 women are usefully and beneficially accupied ; in the kitchen and sewing work 58 women are assisting in various ways. This is perhaps the most striking feature of the management, and I know of no more satisfactory test of the good and efficient workiDg of an asylum. It implies very great care and devotion to duty on the part of all the staff. I doubt whether anywhere better results can be shown, and the result is most) striking in the improved health and appearance of the patients. The farm grounds are steadily being improved. A very serious loss to the institution has been caused by an epidemic of a very severe form of what Dr King, by laborious pathological research, has determined to be tuberculosis among the swine. I hope the results of this investigation will ba made public, and that some benefit may result to those interested in such matters. All the pigs had to be killed. Great additional comfort have been provided in the day rooms, reading rooms, and billiard rooms by providing comfortable and durable sofas and padded seats. Great attention is given to the amusements both of patients and attendants. One of the charge attendants, whose stock I found badly managed at my last visit and whom I warned that any further laxity wouldbe severely dealt with, has been dismissed as being evidently unequal to the duties required of him. All the statutory books and documents are in good order. The case book is particularly well kept. "25th May 1893.— 1 visited the asylum to-. I day in company with the Hon. W.P. Reeves and found the asylum working satisfactorily."

Males. ! Luckland 267 ihristchurcb 231 )unedin (Seacliff) ... 312 Eokitika 65 felson G-{ VelliDgbon 197 LBhburn Hall (private asylum) 19 Females. 138 190 225 36 45 HI 18 Total. 405 421 537 101 108 308 37 Totals 1154 763 1917