LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2318, 4 August 1898, Page 38

LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

PROPOSALS BY TEE GOVERNMENT.

(From Our Own CcmnEsroNDEXT.) "Wki/lin'Gton, July 30

Mr Meredith asked the Premier in the House on Friday whether the attention of the Government had been directed to the report of "Dr Levinge, medical superintendent of the Chri^tchurch lunatic asylum, contained in the Annual Report, 1893, on the Lunatic Asylums of the Colony, and strongly supported by Dr MacGregor on the subject of lunatics, idiots*,* and imbeciles. The Premier said it appeared that this question was going to engage a great deal of the attention of Parliament. He absolutely denied that there was anything in the way of a scandal attaching to their asylums. Only that morning he had been discussing 1 the matter with one of the district visitors, who told him that there was no overcrowding in either the Wellington or the Porirua asylums. At one time he stated they had been compelled to provide some "shako downs," but that, a 9 the visitor put it. was only what people had to do occasionally in their owa houses. The Government,

i the Premier went on to say, were dealing [ with this matter in such a way as he felt sure I would be commended by the colony. There was a portion of Sunnyside Asylum user! now for \isitors that might be used in tho interests of patients. Later on, when the Statement came down, this matter would bo dea!B with, and tho Government would probably appoint ah assistant inspector and make other improvements. Tho inspection of the hospitals and asylums was no doubt too much for one man. Later on, Mr Rolleston asked a question about obtaining the services of a. trained female attendant from tho Horticultural Colicge at Swanlcy, Kent, so that female patients- might engage in light gardening operations. He also wished to know whether the Government would provide for the better classifies I lon of patients in the asylums, the establishment of intermediate- receiving houses, mental wards, or infirmaries, for the reception of patients who cannot_ properly bo classed as lunatics; tho prevenion of the present mode of committal through the medium of the police; and tho more frequent exchange ot patients between the asylums of the colony by way of change for curative purposes, "in referring (o the question, Mr Rolleston referred lo tho Importance of a system of classification which was impossible, with the present .v rtmimcdation. As to the committal ot supposed lunatics to gaols before they wore examined, he said it was a shameful thing. He also t-poko in favour of an improve! =yntom of dealing with patients on the collage plan. Ho hoped the Minister would give some satisfactory reply to the question, because tho llnuso ought not to lea\e it where it was. Mr Soddon was very verbose in his reply. He said it must now be evident to the most sceptical that the matter was going to engage -i great; deal of tl.e attention of tho Government. Whether they could deal in a satisfactory manner with all the idiols in the colony was another question. They had the leader of the Opposition one day asking questions, and his firft and second lieutenants another day* They seemed to take it in turns to bring this mailer before the Government, and make it, a "vehi'-le of an attack npnu them. The Inspector of Asylums was in such close connection with the Opposition as would loadhim ultimately to say, " Save mo from my friends." He complained about the requisition that came in for doctors' residences, social rooms, and billiard rooms. They had even hoard of the formation ol cycling tracks. This detracted _ from the v. eight that would oUienus-^ be given to the iccommendations of the inspector if all elforU v. ero concentrated upon providing moio accommodation for tho patients. The charges that were being made, however, bordered on insanity on the part of the Opposition. II they wero lo have the cottage system that would mean that an enormous sum of money would havo to be provided, tnid he did not think tdey fhould take that course. Their fli'-t comse of aclLn should be to take out of I ho asylums all tho people who should nol bo theie. Mr liolle- 1 ! ai : Whore are you going lo put them? The 15r.->.nior:I 5 r.->.nior: I simply say their friends fjiould foe to them. They should not bo shunted into an asylum. I was the first, to draw attention to this mailer. Continuing, the Pierr.ier said we ought lo havo someone lo direct, us in this matter of asj'liirn management — oomeono with an up-to-date knowledge of the \arious modern systems in operation in E'unpe. He belie, ed it would be money well f-iiont lo bring such an expert from Home. They weut Home for their experts in other deptmments, and he did not see why they should nol do it in this case. It was monttrous to r.ay that the Government should havo U'cso accusation? levelled at tham. As to sn aUeadavil to leach pwrdeiiing, it was, he thought, a reflection on tho women of New Zealand io say that, they should send Home lor on 3. It would be better to get some woman hoie who knew something of the ways of lunatics and teach her hoilicullure. She would ihen be able to /ili the position. Fie admitle 1 that the law in regard to committing patients to gaol before they were examined as to their sonity required amendment, and added that the Government would odopt the system of changing patients as coon as possible. Patients could be transferred from a crowded asylum in one part of tho colony lo one rot crowded in another part, and il could bo done at liUic expense through the medium of the Government steamers.