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South Canterbury Times, Issue 3352, 31 December 1883, Page 2

Dr Crowther, M.L.A., delivered a. lecture in Hobart on December 17,"bn the “ Past and Present Management of New Norfolk Lunatic Asylum." Over 1000 persons were present; the Mayor presided. Dr Crowther reviewed the evidence taken by the Select Committee of the LegislativeCouucil,and made soma astounding revelations of mismanage ment and revolting treatment of patients. Among instances of brutal treatment, ho mentioned it had been the custom to pour crude kerosene on the beads and bodies of patients to cure them of vermin. One patient had been kept three days in a cell because he tried to escape. Another patient had been kicked, cuffed, and had his thigh broken and then thrown into the cell. Dr Crowther adduced evidence in support of the charge that very many"' persons had been confined in asylums who were perfectly sane, and some who had never been insane. He showed that the commissioners had never performed their duties other than in a perfunctory manner, ani that no rules or regulations had been; observed. He announced his intention, of introducing a bill into the Council to» wipe out the Commissioners and to establish the institution on a different* basis. Dr Crowther was loudly cheeredi during and at the conclusion of the* lecture.