DISGRACEFUL STATE OF THE WELLINGTON LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1349, 16 January 1879, Page 2

DISGRACEFUL STATE OF THE WELLINGTON LUNATIC ASYLUM.

(By Telegraph.)

■Wellington, Jan. 15. The following is Dr. Skue's latest report on the Wellington Asylum. Dr. Skae risitod and inspected the Asylum from the 24th to tho 29th November, 1878, or about six woeka ago. This report has never before been published. It is as follows : — "The numbers now m the Asylum are moles 66, females 46, total 112, being 40 more than when I first drew ulteulion to its overcrowded condition. This is quite unendurable, and baffled all al tempts at good ventilation. Almost all the bedrooms iutfuded for tho uso of one patient only, uro occupied by two or three. There is consequently no possibility of disposing of excite.l and violent patients, and tho risk of serious accidents, even murders, are vory great indeod, not to speak of the abominable vices which are liable to be encouraged by such distribution of porsons of disordered passions and beroft of self control. The passages and lavatories are used a* sleeping pluce>. Most of tile associated dormitories nve crowded with beds, to which less thun Imlflho minimum cubit space thousht consistent with good health is allotted. Too solitary day room of the mules is even more crowded thnn the dormitories. Thi* room is 120. by 15ft., and when visited on the 29th, a rainy day, on which the pttients could not get out to the grounds, it contained 30 patients, packed so closely together on henches that they had not room to move their elbows. Although three windows and tho door were open, the atmosphere was close and offensive, but the Superintendent explained it wus nothing to what it usually was m *ot weather, when it is occupied by 35 patients and Iwj attendants, and the windows huvo to be kept shut on account of cold winds. It is übsurd to pretend that the placo m its ptpgeut condition has any clnim to be considered or called an Asylum ; it would bo an undeeerved compliment to cull it a prison. It is not morally justifiable to continuo wonk afier week, adiling to the number of inmates whatever difficulty there may be m oiherwiso disposing of the insane It appours to me necessary that a circular should be pent to all Resident Magistrate's and acting justices m the Provincial District, informing them th»t no more putients can be received into tho Asylum until the building h»s been enlarged, or a reduction hns by somo means been effected m the number now resident. Unless some such stop as this bo taken, it seems cerlain that some dreadlul catastrophe will happen. It cannot bo too distinctly stated that this Asylum U already m a danger us und unmanageable condition, even though patients are described at fluiet and orderly. An addition to the Asylum, capable of accommodating 300 patients it recommended."