REPORTS ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN THE COLONY.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1872 Session I, G-27

G.--No. 27

REPORTS ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN THE COLONY.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON 1872.

G.— No. 27.

REPORTS ON THB LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN THE COLONY.

PEOVINCE OF AUCKLAND. No. 1. His Honor T. B. Gillies to the Hon. W. G-isbohne. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, Ist July, 1872. Herewith I have the honor to forward copies, in duplicate, of the Half-Yearly Eeports by the Inspector of Asylums, under " The Lunatics Act, 1868," for the periods ending 31st January and 30th June ultimo; also, of a Eeport furnished by the same officer for the year 1871. I have, <fee, Thomas B. Gillies, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, "Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1. Hale-Yearly Statement under Section 60 of " The Lunatics Act, 1868," from Ist August, 1871, to 31st January, 1872. 1. Official visits made to the Asylum during twenty-seven days ... ... ... ... 23 Official visits made elsewhere in reference to patients ... ... ... 82 Official visits received in reference to patients ... ... ... 45 _ . 127 2. Patients seen at Asylum and elsewhere ... ... ... ... ... . 2 571 3. Miles travelled to and from the Asylum ... ... ... ... ... 253 Miles travelled elsewhere on Asylum affairs ... ... ... ... ... 109 362 4. Letters sent, 162; letters received, 47 ... ... ... ... ... 209 H. Hanson Turton, Inspector of Asylums, Parnell, 31st January, 1872. Province of Auckland.

Enclosure 2 in No. 1. Half-yearly Statement under Section 60 of " The Lunatics Act, 1868," ending on the 30th Jane, 1872. 1. Official visits made to the Asylum ... ... ... ... ... 20 Official visits elsewhere in reference to patients ... ... ... ... 51 Official visits received in reference to patients ... ... ... ... 41 _ . . 92 2. Patients seen in Asylum and elsewhere ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 284 3. Miles travelled to and from the Asylum ... ... ... ... ... 220 Miles travelled elsewhere on Asylum affairs ... ... ... ... ... 51 271 4. Letters sent, 102; letters received, 56 ... ... ... ... ... ]_5g H. Hanson- Turton, J.P., Inspector of Asylums.

Enclosure 3 in No. 1. Provincial Lunatic Asylum, Auckland.—lnspector's Annual Eeport. This paper may be so called, though there is indeed very little to say in addition to the lengthy Eeport of last year. The general arrangements and domestic economy of a Lunatic Asylum, like those of most other public establishments, under proper guidance, I find to be quite as well regulated in one year as in another. The rules and duties are the same throughout, and the chief difference observable is in the different spirit and zeal with which those duties are carried out by the attendants, and in this respect I cannot report so well as before. 2. When I hear of the Surgeon and Keeper being grossly insulted in the presence of the patients, and of an improper spirit being shown to each other by the attendants, both in the male and female wards, with no further penalty than the empty threat of being " reported to the Inspector," I cannot wonder at the impertinent effrontery and insubordination of the patients themselves. I call the threat an empty one, because, in fact, the Inspector has no more power than simply to hear and remonstrate and advise, as the case may be, whereas the real cure for an offence of this kind would be in the dismissal of one or two of the offenders at a month's notice. Of course, in some sense, these subordinate officers are of more value the longer they remain, owing to their better knowledge of the inmates and

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REPORTS ON THE

the peculiar nature of their treatment, according to their several forms of disease. But, in my opinion, as the result of our last year's experience, no extra knowledge or efficiency will compensate for the loss of discipline, or the injury inflicted by internal discord. And all this arises from the want of a proper understanding as to where the power of dismissal lies. I think, myself, it should rest (where it is assumed to rest) with the Medical Officer of the Asylum; or, if that be considered too invidious a position for him to occupy, then let it be in conjunction with the Keeper, with a final reference to the Inspector in cases of difference. This would soon put a stop to internal disorder and irregularity, and tend materially to promote the comfort and efficiency of all concerned. I refer to this subject so largely because of its extreme importance. When the power is clearly defined by His Honor the Superintendent, and officially published at the Asylum, in all probability it will not require to be exercised at all. The attendants are engaged from month to month, at a very decent salary, and I think they will value their situations more highly than the mere privilege of quarrelling amongst themselves, or neglecting the orders of their superior officers. 3. with this one exception, I have but little complaint to make, and indeed it is far from my desire to make any complaint at all, as it is much more pleasant to me, and encouraging to others, to be able to give commendation, when deserved, than to find fault with exceptional failures. Tho cares and duties of an asylum life are, without any intermission, of so anxious and harassing a nature, as to excite surprise that any person can be found willing to engage in them, and the friends and relatives of our patients ought to feel extremely obliged to our present staff of officers and attendants for the great attention and kindness which they show to the inmates. Out of the Asylum, and at their own homes, I am sure they would not meet with so much care and consideration; and insufficient as the building may now be in regard to space and convenience, it is a far better place for the management and cure, or care and comfort, of the insane, than the generality of outside residences would be for any of them. 4. Here they have good and nourishing food three times a day, well cooked, and served with regularity and cleanliness ; their dormitories are large and clean and airy, and their beds comfortable and soft. They have easy work to do, when they are willing, and they are not forced to do it when they are not; there is music and singing and dancing for those that like it, and free leave of absence for those that don't ; there are walks and pic-nics and salt-water baths for those who can be trusted, and as much out-door liberty as possible for those who can't; there are the services of religion, in their several Communions, for those who can profit by them, with the visits of friends and clergymen of all denominations. All these provisions are made for them in health; and in sickness and dying they have every medical comfort and care which the Eesident Burgeon and his dispensary and kitchen can afford them. This whilst they are alive; and after death, an inquest is held by the Coroner, for the satisfaction of their absent friends and relatives, who are at once advised of their decease. Surely there can be but little cause of complaint against an institution like this. 5. But in reference to the yard for the out-door exercise of such as cannot be trusted in the front grounds —I allude to the male department —there is sufficient ground of dissatisfaction. When the patients were fewer, this space was large enough; but with our present number it is unhealthily crowded. To enlarge it in length, with a longitudinal partition down the centre, thus separating the quiet and convalescent from the restless and more dangerous, would afford a considerable degree of relief, especially if furnished with suitable sheds or verandahs as a protection against sun and rain, as at all the chief asylums at home. At present it is quite distressing to see the miscellaneous way in which all these men, in their forms and degrees of insanity, are obliged to intermingle in their out-door exercises; and though the cost of an enlargement, with an alteration of the drainage, would be considerable, yot I believe the general public would be as well satisfied with this as with any other portion of provincial expenditure. As seen on all occasions, the desire of the people seems to be great and unanimous that these relatives of ours who cannot take care of themselves, shall be well and comfortably cared for at the public expense. The malady is one to which they all feel themselves to be exposed at any time, and so their interest in its proper and humane treatment becomes the greater, and the expense in this case would not be denied. 6. There are likewise the small rooms still required for the restless and noisy female patients, to which I had the honor to draw particular attention in my last Eeport; and now that their number is so much greater, the necessity is greater still. The proposed new building for which a grant was recontly made in Council, will afford some alleviation generally, but in this respect it will afford none. The turbulent and noisy women cannot be removed elsewhere, and so must be provided for in the present building. The complaints to me from the quiet and more orderly patients are incessant, and I feel it my duty to urge the matter again on the immediate attention of the Government. 7. The water supply for the general use of the building is another subject requiring the attention of the authorities. As the well is dug in proximity to one of the main drains, the water it contains is unfit for culinary purposes, for which, however, a daily supply is drawn, in the cart, from an adjoining stream. But in case of a fire breaking out in any part of this large building, there would bono means of quenching or subduing it, owing to the want of an engine, with suitable fire-buckets and ladders, which might be kept in reserve. 8. In the new dietary which has been drawn up, a great difference will be observed to that of former years, so as to form a variety in the several meals of the different days of the week, according to the resources of the new and larger kitchen range which has been supplied during the past year. Coffee has been substituted for tea at breakfast, baked meats and other preparations alternating with soup and boiled beef at dinner, and enough butter supplied to all, twice a day, to make the bread more palatable. I think these changes ought to satisfy the public mind, that the Government is willing to comply with all reasonable demands in providing for the comfort of the insane, many of whom, however, would not be satisfied or cease to murmur even at the most varied or extravagant dietary. It is well, therefore, that visitors and relatives should bo apprised of this fact, and not go and publish their crude and incorrect opinions abroad, which, after all, are but tho insignificant result of half an hour's experience. Any remarks which they desire to make can be entered in the " Visitor's Book," where there is a wide column left for the purpose, and all such observations will be duly considered.

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9. The statistics and all papers on medical and dietetic subjects will of course be supplied by Dr. Aickin, the Eesident Surgeon. H. Hanson Turton, Parnell, 31st January, 1872. Inspector of Asylums.

PEOVINCE OE TAEANAKI. No. 2. His Honor E. A. Carrington to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir — . Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, 28th June, 1872. In compliance with the request contained in your telegram of the 20th instant, I have the honor to enclose herewith (in duplicate) the Eeport required by the sixtieth clause of " The Lunatics Act, 1868." I have, &c, Ered. A. Carrington, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 2. Mr. T. E. Eawson to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir — New Plymouth, 27th June, 1872. I have the honor to state that a report, dated 18th September, 1871, was forwarded, of the only lunatic admitted into an apartment of the Gaol, 4th August, 1871, and certified as dangerous. An asylum connected with the Provincial Hospital here was licensed on the sth December, 1871, and George Alfred Gower was then removed from the Gaol to the Hospital. He has been visited about every other day, the distance from my residence being about half a mile. His mental condition is the same, and his general health very good. No other lunatic has since been admitted. The department of the Hospital in which the lunatic is confined is commodious, clean, and healthy. No accommodation is provided for female lunatics, though urgently required. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, T. E. Eawson, Wellington. Inspector of Lunatic Asylum, and Colonial Surgeon.

PEOVINCE OE HAWKE'S BAY. No. 3. Mr. H. B. Scaly to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sic — Napier, Ist July, 1872. In compliance with section 60 of " The Lunatics Act, 1868," I have the honor to report as follows, for the half-year ended 30th June :— 1. I was appointed Inspector on the 27th April, 1872, for the Province of Hawke's Bay. 2. There is but one asylum, hospital, or licensed house under the provisions of the Act within the said Province—namely, the Asylum situate in a wing of Napier Gaol, under charge of Gaoler. 3. I have visited the said Asylum twice since my appointment in April last. 4. The Asylum is about half a mile from my office, the number of miles travelled is therefore nominal. 5. At each of my visits there were five male patients and two female, but one of the latter has since been delivered to her relatives, under section 66. 6. As regards the management of the lunatics, the only objectionable feature in the arrangements that I observed was the association of the male lunatics with the prisoners in the yard of the gaol premises. This seems to be a necessity arising from the limited accommodation on the gaol premises. _ 7. The lunatics at present confined are usually quiet and orderly. One is allowed, by his own desire, to work with the hard-labour prisoners, it being found that when he was confined in idleness he became violent, but when kept at work he is quiet and well-behaved. The lunatics, when within the gaol, are separated from the prisoners, and the females are always kept apart from the male patients. 8. The Keeper of the Asylum, who is, as I have said, also Gaoler, seems to take an intelligent interest in both branches of his duties, and to perform them as efficiently as the resources at his command will admit of. I have, &c. H. b! Scaly, Inspector of Asylums, &c, for Province The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. of Hawke's Bay.

PEOVINCE OE WELLINGTON. No. 4. His Honor W. Eitzherbert to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir,— Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 30th July, 1872. In compliance with your request of the 13th inst., I have now the honor to enclose two copies of the Eeport furnished to me by the Inspector of the Lunatic Asylum at Karori, required to be laid before the General Assembly. I have, &c., William Eitzherbert, The Hon. W. Gisborne, Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

G.—No. 27

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REPORTS ON THE

Enclosure in No. 4. Mr. J. E. Eitz Gerald to His Honor W. Eitzherbert. SlB '~" t r -xi T , Wellington, 27th July, 1872. In compliance with your request, I have the honor to state that I have been only recently T!Za t IS r P f6Ct thG aT* 10 AB£ lUm t* arori' That the Master and Matron >»« S recently changed, and that a new Asylum is being built. Many remarks, therefore, which it might have been my duty to make under other circumstances, would be out of place at present On the occasion of my visit I found the whole Asylum perfectly clean ; twenty-five patients in the various rooms and yards, none m confinement or under restraint. The proper autLritieffor retaLiS the patients in custody were shown to me except in one case, where the order, a warrant given man? years ago, is missing. The means for submitting a patient to restraint without unnecessary perS violence are very unsatisfactory. But I conclude that in the new Asylum proper room willbe°o_SwTS W? r6« er th, G T !° f dr6SSf ,a * Present emP loyed ™rd 7 ever necessary _ Notwithstanding the perfect cleanliness of the rooms, the atmosphere of some of the cells midit be improved by the use of disinfecting fluids, of which I was informed none had ever En supplied without this it is impossible to keep the cells of some patients properly clean and wholesome. PP ' I have, &c, tt. tt„ ~ a ~ ~ .__ ,„ James Edward EitzGerald, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. Inspector

PEOVINCE OE NELSON. No Eeport sent in.

PEOVINCE OE MAELBOEOTJGH. No Lunatic Asylum in Province of Marlborough.

PEOVINCE OE CANTEEBTJEY. No. 5. His Honor W. Eolleston to the Hon. W. Gisborne. a Superintendent's Office, T , ~ , A . Christchurch, Canterbury, 18th January, 1872 «... a r% ,-° n? r \° tTanam^ to y°u the enclosed Eeport, by Mr. Hamilton, of an inspection of the Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum, made by him on 27th October last. inspection ot I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. W"

Enclosure in No. 5. Mr. J. W. Hamilton to the Hon. W. Gisborne Sir. tl„„.i r . iJ( ,_, Christchurch, 9th January, 1872. U»t TW 1 \ T°l *? A ™P ° v that. * msPected the Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum on 27th October tLiF? t^S^t that time been intrusted with the duty of examining into the valu of lands h6l"ortheTn EaiW,lhave been too much engaged? until ZScl&^Z t ra vpnnjt erenCe to. clause, 6o of " The Lunatic* Act, 1868," I should state that the number of miles travelled by me on inspection is but nominal, the Asylum being only two miles out of ChrTstchurch I did not see every individual patient on this occasion, several of them being engaged on tho grounds SriArfe A r°m b^Ml^ gS ' aDd ml a^ ention bein 8 directed mai% t0 **• Ukb and document" SmgTgtnSr 68 a *t0 UP' aDd t0 thC C°nditlon °f the knds and m. aSZ? 24'^ W^ Al t; "^"-I fonnd that the « Eegister of Patients " had not been written s___W____f_£S H Cle; kas, theActrequi,res J ThoMedicalofficerhadMt >ina"SoSSJ within the month after a patient's admission suppbed the required entry, " Porni of Disorder " study of the Act, which contains no less than 193 clauses to be mastered and noted. It appears that OfflJ° * U0M OTr reqUU'eS' at timeS ' »ore__nam<mth to develop itself, so that the Medical Officer may be able to pronounce upon it confidently, and supply the entry. I do not think SnC 9- th%n?n on3 t l t T, more than mJ Pasßi"S »°t:- of them in reporting to you ' b*-ST ;7. * Case T Book 1S not Yet keP* b 7 Medical Officer, the form for it not having been yet directed (so far as I can ascertain) by the Governor in Council. I beg to recommend that some simple form bo ordered at an early date. g recommend tnat

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lam glad to report that the " curative treatment" of the patient mentioned in my report of 23rd September, 1871, has, up to date, proved thoroughly successful. The patient, who was released afterwards by Judge's order, has expressed himself as satisfied that he has received real benefit from the application his friends made to have the clause put into operation on his behalf. He has also manifested great interest in the Asylum since he left it. In October (date of the inspection now under report), another patient was undergoing similar curative treatment. When the Asylums throughout the Colony shall be provided with separate accommodation for this class of patient, it may be confidently expected the benefits derivable under clause 21 of the Act will be eagerly sought after by many whose friends pr relatives are ruining their families and wasting all their means of support by giving way to the habitual and excessive use of intoxicating drinks. The wards, yards, lavatories, bath-rooms, and other places in and about the Asylum, I found in the same scrupulously neat and cleanly condition as on previous inspections ; the patients then indoors looking clean and healthy; the wards and passages fresh and sweet, and well ventilated. Every readiness was shown by the Keeper and Warders to aid my examination of the books and of tho premises. The lists of patients, orders, certificates, &c, were all duly laid before me, as also the Medical Officer's books. Several patients had Leen allowed leave of absence on trial (under clause 64), being placed under care of their friends. In some instances the cure had been perfected, but no patient had required to be sent back to the Asylum. In three instances the friends had neglected, at the end of the period of trial, to supply the Keeper with the formal medical certificate that the " patient's detention as a lunatic was no longer necessary." These certificates have since been called for. The patients would have been required to return, as the latter part of clause 64 provides, had there not been satisfactory information as to the patient's health being improved, and that the medical certificate would be produced. A plan of the building has still to be provided, and kept hung up in some conspicuous place in it. I have asked the Provincial Government to furnish such plan as soon as they conveniently can do so. The arrangements for commencing the first portion of the new Asylum were in a forward state. In regard to dietary : the food is abundant, and wholesome and palatable ; the cooking managed in an especially cleanly manner. I think it very desirable that the ration-bread supplied should be subjected to periodical analysis fey a competent person, because in bread supplied to my own household I have more than once found alum—not in powder simply, but in good-sized crystals. Although there would appear to be no great inducement to make the ration-bread supplied to a Lunatic Asylum look especially white and inviting, and although the bread I have examined always looks sound and tastes excellent,"still I think that the authorities ought to feel absolutely certain that it should be entirely free from so commonly used and so unwholesome an adulterating ingredient as alum is known to be. Having mentioned all matters of detail which seem to require special notice, it only remains for me to state—and I have great satisfaction in doing so—that in every respect the patients seem to be kindly and thoughtfully cared for by Mr. E. W. Seager, the Keeper. I have, &c, J. W. Hamilton, An Inspector under Lunatics Act, 1868, for The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Sunnyside Asylum.

No. 6. His Honor W. Eolleston to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Superintendent's Office, Sir, — Christchurch, Canterbury, 22nd January, 1872. I have the honor to forward herewith a Eeport by Mr. Hamilton of an inspection of the Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum, held by him on the 19th December last. I have, &c, The Hon. W. Gisborne. W. Eolleston, Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 6. Mr. J. W. Hamilton to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sib — Christchurch, 17th January, 1872. I have the honor to report that I inspected Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum on Tuesday, 19th December last. ' Having been constantly engaged since then in arranging for the closing up of the Paymaster's Office on 31st December, and in bringing up arrears, I have not been able to report the inspection as early as I should otherwise have done. No notice was given (Lunatics Act, 1868, clause 53) to the Keeper —nor have I given any on previous occasions—of an intention to visit the Asylum. In accordance with clause 53, every part of the "building, outhouses, ground and appurtenances " was inspected, and "every patient seen," and also the " orders and certificates for the reception of each patient " admitted since the last visit. The " Inspector's Book " was duly minuted. I found that my previous suggestions and observations had been attended to ; the entries in the Eegister of Patients (noticed to you as being deficient on the 27th October last) having been kept up. The Keeper complied fully with clause 54, in showing the buildings and the persons detained therein. The inquiries were made as provided by clause 55, and books and documents produced, examined and signed in accordance with clause 56. The " Case Book" and " Medical Case Book" referred to in clauses 25 and 44 of the Acts respectively were not produced; the form in which they are to be kept does not appear to have been ordered by the Governor in Council.

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The plan of the building (clause 57) is still required for hanging up in some conspicuous place. The " Patients' Book " (clause 58), which the Keeper was instructed to provide for future use, will be provided. On close examination of the printed form of Eegister (clause 24), four of the columns required by the 12th Schedule were found omitted, apparently by printer's oversight. The Keeper was instructed to have the missing columns ruled up by hand, and entries filled in as occasion might arise. Since the previous inspection on 27th October, one fresh patient had been admitted for curative treatment, under clause 21. The case promises to be successfully dealt with. But the Asylum is now so full that no more patients of this class can be received till the new building is completed. There is at present great want of space for the ordinary lunatic patients, especially in the sleeping wards. The first portion of the new Asylum is now about nine feet above the ground level, and is progressing rapidly. The plan of it is based as much as possible on the models most approved of in England. The walls and partitions are being constructed entirely of concrete. This material is used wherever it can be, conveniently, in the place of wood work, so as to reduce as low as possible the risk of fire. The present Asylum is built almost entirely of wood, and now contains on an average more than 200 patients, besides attendants and some of their families. I think it very important for the safety of the large number of inmates, in the event of so serious and alarming an accident occurring as that of the building catching fire, that a small fire-engine, or two or three ship's fire " annihilators," should be placed on the premises, and kept always ready for use. The Eiver Heathcote running close by, and affording an ample supply of water at all times, I would urgently recommend that a large pipe be laid down at once to the river, having communications with several portions of the building, so arranged that the water can instantly be got at in large quantities at the very first outbreak of a fire. There is ample fall for working a moderate-sized hydraulic ram, which would at all times keep full of water a set of tanks above the level of the upper floor, and ready for immediate use. A ram of the power requisite would not, I believe, cost more than £60 to £80; it would require little or no attention, and I would strongly urge the introduction of so very useful and labour-saving a contrivance. It should be borne in mind that some of the patients are bedridden, or utterly helpless; and no reasonable precaution ought to be neglected for the protection of their lives against the danger of a fire. The consequences of a conflagration in so exceptional an establishment as a Lunatic Asylum are, I think, more to be apprehended and guarded against than in any other place. It is the practice of the Keeper to take a photograph of every patient on his admission to the Asylum, even if he may have been already admitted and photographed more than once. In reference to clause 26 of " The Lunatics Act, 1868," I should state that these photographs have often been of the greatest value in enabling friends and relatives at a distance to identify the patient, when no written description would have been sufficient. I might venture to suggest that, in all the Asylums of the Colony, this practice of photographing patients might be most usefully introduced. The portraits would be of especial value to friends and relatives in other Colonies or at home, and would often help to relieve the public funds of the cost of maintaining a patient whose relatives possess property when he has none. Assistance would also be given in tracing out titles to large estates, a matter often of as much importance to the public interests as to the inheritors. Subject to the foregoing remarks, I beg to report that I found everything in and about the Asylum in a very satisfactory condition, the interior of the building thoroughly neat, clean, fresh, and wholesome, the patients looking healthy and well attended. I have, &c, J. W. Hamilton, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Inspector under Lunatics Act, 1868. Wellington.

No. 7. His Honor W. Eolleston to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir,— Superintendent's Office, Christchurch, Canterbury, 3rd July, 1872. I have the honor to forward herewith Eeports by the Inspector of the Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum, and the Venerable Archdeacon Wilson, the latter having reference to the confinement of drunkards in the Asylum, a subject which has been alluded to in previous reports, and to which I would draw your especial attention. I trust that the Government will see fit to introduce a Bill at the next Session of Parliament, altering the law in respect of this class of patients, and that these Eeports may be laid before the Assembly at its meeting. I have, &c, W. Eolleston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Superintendent.

Enclosure 1 in No. 7. Mr. J. W. Hamilton to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir,— Christchurch, 11th June, 1872. I have the honor to report that I inspected Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum on Wednesday, 29th May last. 1. As required by clause 53 of " The Lunatics Act, 1868," and without giving any previous notice to the Keeper, I inspected the wards, yards, cells, and every part of the Asylum, the grounds, and every out-house, place, and buildings belonging to it. I saw every patient excepting one, a female convalescent on leave for the day, visiting a relation resident about three miles from the Asylum. I found no patient under restraint. I inspected the orders and certificates of admission and discharge

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received by the Keeper since my last visit on the 9th February, comparing them with the entries in the " Eegister of Patients " (section 24), and " Eegister of Deaths, Discharges, and Eemoval " (section 27). The " Inspector's Book " was duly minuted, with the then condition of the Asylum and of the patients. 2. The inspection was made as complete and thorough as possible, occupying the greater part of the day, and till long after dark. The patients were seen during meal-time—at dinner, and at tea. All the books and documents were minutely examined, compared, and checked, the one against the other. 3. The Keeper duly showed the whole of the building, and all the patients (section 54). 4. I made the inquiries prescribed by clause 55 respecting the treatment, health, and comfort of the patients; their occupations and amusements; classification and dietary; and the performance of Divine Service. _ 5. The Keeper produced, as clause 56 requires, the list of patients and the several books which it is his and the Clerk's and Medical Officer's duty to keep ; also the orders and certificates relating to patients admitted since the 9th February. The "List of Patients" was closely compared with the " Eegister of Patients," from the first entry in it, and found to agree with the number appearing to be still undischarged—namely, males, 75; females, 34 ;in all 109. Each patient named on the list was pointed out separately. The whole number of persons seen by me on the premises and in the wards agreed with the total shown on the list. All the books were signed by me as having been produced. 6. The plan of the Asylum (section 57), the absence of which I have had to notice for a long time past, is now supplied, and kept hung up in a sufficiently conspicuous place. 7. The "Patients' Book" (section 58) has now, for the first time, been produced. It is combined, as suggested in my report of 9th Eebruary, with the " Case Book" required by clause 25. 8. Two habitual drunkards, one male and one female, under " curative treatment," were admitted respectively 6th January, 1872, and 23rd October, 1871. So long as there is not sufficient space for keeping this class of patients entirely separate, their presence at the Asylum is likely to, and, in fact, does produce mischievous effect on the ordinary lunatic patients. The Act does not appear, either directly or by inference, to give the Keeper any power to subject the " curative treatment" patients to the ordinary rules of the Asylum for the maintenance of proper discipline, and to enforce due subordination to his authority. I strongly recommend that no more such patients be admitted until they can have entirely separate accommodation, so that it may not be possible for them to have any communication whatever with the lunatics. The male patient referred to ought to be got rid of off the premises at once, if possible. 9. The " Eegister of Patients " (section 24), newly printed, contains now all the columns set out in the form in Schedule 12. It was properly kept up, except that the " bodily condition " of two patients (No. 364 and 365) had not been entered up immediately on their admission, and that the "form of disorder" of one patient (No. 360) had not been supplied aad signed by the Medical Officer within the month after admission. 10. The " Medical Journal" (section 25) was found duly written up ; one patient only was found to be in seclusion, as noted therein. The " Case Book" has now been opened, the entries in it beginning from Ist January, 1872. The " Patients' Book" (section 58) has also for the first time been opened, being the " Medical Journal" itself, with an additional column for entries by the Inspector and Official Visitors. The " exact account of the autopsy" of a patient (No. 363) recently deceased, had not yet been entered in the " Case Book," as prescribed by clause 25. 11. The notices (as required by clause 26) on the death of the above patient were entered by the Clerk as having been given, except the notices to the Eegistrar of Deaths and to the nearest Coroner. This latter omission may possibly be unimportant, as the Medical Officer of the Asylum is also Coroner for the District. I think, nevertheless, that the Coroner's records of inquests on deceased lunatics should be kept complete, as important questions of inheritance may depend on the Act being strictly complied with. An inquest was duly held on the body of the patient, by a Justice of the Peace, acting for the Coroner. 12. The Clerk of the Asylum had duly entered the death in the " Eegister of Patients," and in a separate register, kept according to clause 27. He had also noted having sent the proper notice to the Colonial Secretary. 13. The new building intended for refractory and epileptic female patients is now as high as four feet above the upper story flooring-joists, which are ready laid ; but I think it will not be finished for the reception of patients before four or five months. This building is entirely of concrete, and so constructed that it will be almost impossible for it to take fire. 14. A cottage has been built for patients who have means or friends to pay for the cost of a special keeper and separate treatment, where the case allows hope of an early recovery. 15. The four new cottages for the attendants and their families will shortly be erected, as recommended in my last report. The materials are now on the ground. 16. I found everything about the premises and patients in the same satisfactory condition as on former visits. Mr. Seager's care and attention, and his efforts to promote the comfort and amusement of the patients, are in no way relaxed. Eemarks of numerous visitors from other parts of New Zealand, and from the neighbouring Colonies, written in the " Visitors' Book," testify their satisfaction with the arrangements of the establishment in a manner which must be highly gratifying to the Keeper and the Provincial authorities, especially as several visitors mention the Asylum very favourably with reference to others they have gone over. 17. The foregoing comprises the usual routine account of an inspection. Three days later (Ist June), I had to make a special visit, in reference to the " Curative Treatment" cases. In the report I shall have to make to you, I propose to offer only general observations and suggestions, omitting routine details, which would only be a repetition of those given above. I have, &c, J. W. Hamilton, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Inspector, Sunnyside Asylum. 3

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Enclosure 2 in No. 7. Archdeacon Wilson to His Honor W. Eolleston. Sie >~~ Broomfield, June 24, 1872. I have the honor to address you with reference to the Act of General Assembly now in force under which habitual drunkards are committed to Lunatic Asylums. You are aware that for some years past I have served as Acting Chaplain to the Asylum at Sunnyside, in the neighbourhood of Christchurch. During that time it has been very satisfactory to mark the great improvement which has been effected in the treatment of lunatics 'under the skilful management of Mr. Seager. Latterly, however, I have noticed with great regret an element of serious disturbance introduced owing to the operation of the Act above mentioned. Until the law for the committal of habitual drunkards came into force, the cases of lunacy treated in the Asylum, were of the usual character, involving more or less actual aberration of mind during the greater part of the period of confinement.' Under such circumstances it has been seen in the case of Sunnyside, how great a measure of success can be attained in curative treatment, even where appliances and classification of patients have been much below what modern experience suggests. It is much to be feared, however, that the progress of improvement will be seriously retarded by the introduction of a class of persons whose symptoms are specifically different from those of the mass of patients among whom they are thrown. Generally a very short time is required to relieve an habitual drunkard from the effects of his vicious habit. The complete removal of the means of indulgence makes him, in a few days, a sober man. He is then, and so long as he can be kept from drink, perfectly sane. He is fully aware of the position in which his intemperance has placed him ; angry with the friends at whose instance his committal has been effected ; angry with the Manager of tho Asylum in which he is placed, and just in the frame of mind to make him a very objectionable associate for lunatics of the ordinary kind. It has been found at Sunnyside that drunkards in this state have fomented disorder in the house, causing common lunatics to rebel against necessary discipline, and depriving them of all benefit from the quiet good order which usually prevails. The evil is further aggravated when the habitual drunkard happens to be of better education and higher social position than other patients. In this case he not unfrequently takes advantage of his position to make some unfortunate, half-witted lunatic the butt of others, involving him in senseless scrapes, and taking caro to keep himself out of the'mischief he has caused.' This statement would not be complete were I to abstain from mentioning the fears which have been felt that graver moral delinquencies are likely to ensue from the presence in the Asylum of a class of persons who seldom derive much benefit from their confinement, while their influence and example are injurious to others. If the present provisions of the law are to be regarded as an experiment, pretty close observation of the result compels me to look on it as. a failure. No adequate good seems to be gained. The temper and discipline of the proper objects of the Asylum are impaired, and the Manager, and his staff of subordinates, are kept in a state of fretting anxiety incompatible with the proper fulfilment of their duty. In conclusion, may I be permitted to draw your attention to the enclosed extract from the Scotsman, an Edinburgh newspaper, of date 16th March, 1872. The extract contains evidence, taken before a Select Committee of the House of Commons—" The Habitual Drunkards Committee." The witness under examination is Dr. David Skae, Physician to the Eoyal Edinburgh Asylum, who said that he had held his position for twenty-five years, and had now 750 patients under him. In particular I would wish to point to the very emphatic reply of Dr. Skae to the question, " Whether ho did not think that habitual drunkards should have a separate Asylum, totally distinct from the general Lunatic Asylum ?" His answer is—" Most certainly." May I hope that the strong interest I have taken in Sunnyside Asylum will bo my excuse for troubling you with the foregoing statement. You are probably aware that the duty of Acting Chaplain was in a manner forced on me, there being no one else able to undertake the work when the Chaplaincy became vacant. May I further express my earnest hope tha>t the General Assembly will not allow a law to remain unaltered which has failed to accomplish the object it was intended to serve. I have, &c, James Wilson, W. Eolleston, Esq., Acting Chaplain to Sunnyside Asylum. Superintendent of Canterbury.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2 in No. 7. Extract from the Scotsman, Saturday, 16th March, 1872. House of Commons, Friday. 10-day the inquiry was resumed before a Select Committee of the House of Commons as to the best mode of treating habitual drunkards. Mr. Dalrymple presided. The first witness called was Dr. David Skae, Physician to the Eoyal Edinburgh Asylum, who said that he had held his position for twenty-five years, and he had now 750 patients under him. His attention had been very much called to the cause of disease of the brain, and he had had a large public and private practice in cases of insanity. There were different classes of drunkards, and some of these did not require any interference on the part'of the public. For instance, a man who took drink habitually, but who kept to his business, without injury to himself and others, did not require any interference; nor did he think that the man who took spirits freely and conducted himself well to his family ought to be put under restraint. Then there was a class of dipsomaniacs. These persons could drink to any extent possible, and they would drink anything they could get hold of—hair wash or anything. Some of these cases lasted for two or three years, and others a month, and then recovered. Then there were persons suffering from loss of blood and blood on the brain. Those were cases in which there was really disease,

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and not merely cases of drunkenness. They ought to be under restraint, in the hopes of curing them of the craving for drink. Then there was another form of disease brought on from drinking, namely, delirium tremens, which generally lasted from three to five days. Besides those, there were abundant forms of insanity characterized by delusions in seeing and hearing. Those persons should be put in an asylum who looked with suspicion upon their friends, for their being at large was a source of danger. Those were the classes into which he divided persons who were given to excessive drinking. The Chairman.] We are not dealing with the ordinary drunkard. Would you propose to interfere with the class of people you have named by legislating for them in any way ?—Witness : Providing they were injuring themselves and their family and property, they ought to be restrained. Many of those are lavish in their expenditure. How do you propose to deal with this class ?— Witness: There ought to be power placed in the hands of two medical men in the district, or a committee of two medical men, to confine such persons as had been described. But unless they carried their habits of drinking to the extent of being mischievous to their health and ruinous to their family, he would leave them to police regulations. Then there are persons who drink to excess on Saturday evenings, but who are, nevertheless, industrious during the intervals of sobriety—you would not recommend more than magisterial interference ? —Witness : Certainly not. How do you propose to deal with insane drunkards or dipsomaniacs? —Witness: They ought certainly to be confined, and for long periods of time. At present, cases of this kind could not be kept in an asylum except for a few months, because they were apt to be sent out by the Commissioners of Lunacy. And these dipsomaniacs have periodical fits of drinking f—■ Witness : Very often; and they will drink anything ; even shoe-blacking and turpentine. Would you think those persons true objects for reformatories or an asylum ? —Witness : I certainly think they ought to bo confined for long periods of time, so as to secure them. Do you think that the reformatory treatment, provided it involved abstinence from drink for a long period, would save many cases from going to insanity?— Witness: I think it would, and a great majority would return to their families. Would it save those cases which are dependent less upon cerebral disease existing than upon the habits of drinking ?—Witness : The habit would be cured, and the craving removed. I will read you some evidence given at the previous sitting by Dr. Browne, Physician to the Wakefield Asylum, and I shall ask you how far you agree with that evidence. He says : " The points of distinction between dipsomania and drunkenness are several. I find, as a rule, that dipsomaniacs urge the internal craving as an excuse, and they say they cannot resist; whereas the drunkard urges something external, such as meeting of friends, or its being his birthday."—Witness : I quite agree with that. In dealing with this class of cases, are you of opinion that if reformatories were established that they should be placed under legislative control ? —Witness : Certainly. I believe in Scotland there is a principle, derived from the old civil law, which appoints a tutor or curator over a person and his goods ?—Witness : He has no power over the person, but over the property, and the process is a very cheap and simple one. Would you give power to persons conducting these reformatories absolutely to retain the individual placed under their care ?—Witness : Certainly. Even supposing they had entered the place voluntarily ? —Witness : I think it still ought to be made compulsory. There are persons who went into asylums voluntarily, but after being there a short time, wanted to be away before being cured. I never take such voluntary patients, because I have no control over them. I met an American who kept an asylum, and who said that he cured persons with an average duration of confinement of seven days, but I did not believe him. The ultimate condition of those persons is, that they are affected with certain forms of cerebral disease, independent of delirium tremens, and would you consider them fit subjects for asylum treatment ? —Witness : I think so. Supposing they put on a particular symptom of cerebral disease ?—Witness : Then I think they ought to be put into an asylum. With the consent of their relatives ? —Witness : If they were dangerous, we ought to have the power of dealing with them as dangerous patients; but we have power in Scotland without the consent of relatives, when dangerous. Do you believe, if there were certain institutions established in Scotland for the upper and middle classes, that they would be self-supporting ? —Witness : I think they would. I send a great number of persons to boarding-houses for the purpose, and I believe those establishments pay very well. It has been given in evidence that those who could not pay to an establishment should be sent to a reformatory for a long period, with sufficient labour to pay his cost of detention. Would that, in your judgment, meet the case of those who could not pay ?—Witness : Scarcely. It would be better to place such persons in connection with workhouses. Have you any knowledge of tho percentage of cases ascribed to drinking ? —Witness ■ I have made out a table, and I find that, extending over a period of twenty years and upwards, there were 16 per cent, brought on by drinking among the males, and 7 per cent, among the females, making a general average of both sexes of 113. (Witness here handed in a tabular statement, which the Chairman said would be printed.) By Colonel Akroyd.] As to attaching patients to reformatories or prisons, have you any experience to give us ?—Witness : I know that patients have a dislike to prisons. Is it not desirable that these cases of habitual drunkards connected with disease should have a separate Asylum, totally distinct from the general Lunatic Asylum ?—Witness : Most certainly. You have criticised the different forms of disease, and you say that those who take their glass of an evening ought not to be under restraint ?—Certainly not; because they have not lost control of themselves. TJnless they are dangerous to themselves, their family, or wasteful of their property, I would not put them under restraint.

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Br. Blayfair (addressing witness).] You have a very large experience upon this point. Would you have any objections to write down anything in addition to your evidence, and forward it to the Committee r —Witness : I shall have much pleasure in doing so. The examination then terminated.

No. 8. His Honor W. Eolleston to the Hon. W. G-isboenk. Superintendent's Office, bIE '~ a . . . . Christchurch, Canterbury, 4th July, 1872. t x- a i Ce wrl tl, nS m-T letter yesterday, forwarding to you Eeports with reference to the Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum, I have received from the Inspector of the Asylum the Eeport which I enclose herewith, and which treats more fully of the subject of the curative treatment of habitual drunkards I have written to the Inspector thanking him for the care and trouble he has bestowed upon this and previous inspections. 1 I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 8. Mr. J. W. Hamilton to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sic, ~" T , ... Christchurch, 26th June, 1872. 1 have the honor to report that I inspected Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum on the Ist June instant My report respecting the details of the establishment and the ordinary routine work performed by me, would be exactly the same as given to you of the inspection made only three days previously (viz on the 29th May), and reported to you on the 11th instant (No. 12). I need not therefore repeat those details, although clause 53 of " The Lunatics Act, 1888," makes it imperative on the Inspector at each visit to see every part of the Asylum and every patient, to examine all the books, and to perform several other duties which are all specifically enumerated. All these I duly attended to on the Ist June, as well as on the 29th May. Although a second inspection, within three days of the first, could scarcely by any possibility have been expected by the Keeper, I am gratified to be able to state that I found everything going on with the same good order and regularity as usual: that I discovered nothing to find fault with and no vioient measures resorted to in the treatment of the patients. Discharges of Patients have been much more numerous since the Ist January than durino- any other period of five months, dating back from the foundation of the Asylum. The Keeper attributes this, in no inconsiderable measure to the beneficial effects of the last summer's sea-bathing at Sumner to which place the convalescents and docile patients were taken to spend the day as often as possible' Ihere seems to be little room for doubting that numerous expeditions to a distance from the Asylum have^ donemnch to improve the mental condition of those who were on their way towards recovery Ihe inquiries 1 have made tend to satisfy me that the unremitting attention paid by Mr. Seager to keep up as constant a round of amusements and light occupation as the establishment will afford lies at the bottom of the success which has attended the treatment of so many of his patients. It should be remarked that of the unusual number of discharges of the past five months, about one-half were of patients who had been a long time in the Asylum. As this frequency of sea-bathing has been a comparativefy new feature in the treatment, the Keeper may not unreasonably have formed his conclusion that it has contributed largely to the restoration of these discharged patients. I venture therefore to suggest to the Government, whether it may not be worth while to recommend to the Managers of other Asylums m the Colony a trial of frequent sea-bathing and out-door expeditions for the inmates during the fme-weather months. _ Amusements and Recreation.—On 24th May, the Queen's Birthday, the annual patients' ball was given. It went off quietly and successfully; there were not so many visitors joining in it as usual lhe annua,! attendants' ball was held on the day preceding; some of the old discharged patients joined in it on the invitation of the attendants. This fact testifies strongly and reliably to the appreciation which former inmates have of the kindness with which they were treated. Band.—A. band of instrumentalists are now practising with fair success, the performers being taken from among the convalescent patients and some of the attendants. The musical abilities of the Keeper Mr Edward Wm. Seager, and of his brother Mr. S. H. Seager (recently a member of Mr Bamby's well-known choir in London), are of great value to the Asylum. A party of Christy's Minstrels lias been got together from among the patients. Choir.—Mr. S. H. Seager has been teaching choral singing and music once a week to those patients who are capable of instruction. Full choral services are held now once a month. Organ.— The organ in the large recreation hall has been considerably enlarged by the addition of four new stops besides some 16-feet pedal pipes, the timber for which (of Oregon pine) was presented by the United States firm of Taylor 'and Co. Mr. 8. H. Seager, who superintended the DuUaing ot the new portions of the organ, has also contributed a new stop. This organ is now the largest to bo found in Canterbury, and is worth, roundly, some £800. The Government owe the possession of this valuable property almost entirely to the exertions of Mr. Edward Wm. Seager the Keeper, it ought to bo kept insured against fire. In the female recreation ward a piano is placed. There are frequently patients able to perform on it tairiy, so as to contribute to the amusement of the .others. General musical entertainments are frequently held in the large recreation hall in the evenings Crardemna.— Some few of the patients are able to help in the kitchen garden, where they make

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themselves very useful, and perform work which, if paid for at current wages rates, would amount to a considerable sum annually ; a very large supply of vegetables is thus raised for daily use at the Asylum. I think that flower-gardening might be promoted largely among the convalescents, and would probably serve as an amusement and occupation, tending to hasten their restoration to complete health. I suggest the laying out of a plot of ground for subdivision among those who can be induced to take up the cultivation of flowers. Probably the holding of a small flower show among the patients might stimulate them to take up this class of gardening. The planting of a " fernery " would, I think, be an occupation worth trying to interest the patients in, as it would give them an object in view during excursions to the bush on the Port Hills, where they would have to find their plants. Theatre.- —A stage, with scenery and fittings, in the recreation hall, is in frequent use for the performance of small plays and farces, which are got up among the convalescents, aided by Mr. Seager and by visitors, whom he is often able to enlist in helping to amuse the patients. Mr. Seager is very successful in engaging the interest of various public performers who may visit Christchurch from time to time, and in persuading them to give performances at the Asylum for the amusement of the patients. A clever artist, Mr. Massey, has recently painted, in very effective stylo, a new drop-scene and some side scenes. A Billiard Table, in the men's convalescent ward, affords another means of recreation indoors. A Printing Office also contributes to find occupation for some patients. Programmes of any large entertainments are issued from this office, and some of the cost of printed forms required for ordinary routine use is saved by setting them up there instead of in the job offices in Christchurch. I have ventured to trouble you at some length with details of the various modes of occupation and amusement devised for the benefit of the patients, because it seems to be so very largely owing to these means that cures are effected. It is also through the general recreations and amusements that patients inclined to bo refractory are coerced into good behaviour, instead of by strait-waistcoats and other violent measures. Most of those who are refractory soon learn to know that they will not be permitted to join in the general recreations, or be present at any special entertainment, unless they will behave themselves quietly, attend to the Keeper's orders, and keep their hands off their fellow-patients. Mre. —Forty-eight buckets filled with water are now kept standing in the upper story sleeping wards, as suggested by me on previous visits. I cannot, however, but entertain great anxiety until some complete provision is made for ample water-supply in case of fire. There is a fall of about eight feet from the surface of the ground at the Asylum to the level of the Heathcote Eiver, distant some fifty or eighty yards. Artesian water rises to within three feet of the surface. This would give a. fall of five feet clear to work a hydraulic ram capable of raising water to large fire tanks at a height of fifty or sixty feet. By iron pipes properly adjusted, and hose at hand, a large volume of water could at once be poured with beating power on to any part of the building immediately fire were discovered, and without having to wait for the city engines. A vote of £200 has been proposed to the Provincial Council for this purpose. I deem it my duty to ask that the Provincial Government may bo urged to erect the ram and tanks with every possible despatch. I also suggest that the General Government should allow the use of the telegraph poles on the Lincoln Eoad, and erect the six or seven more required, so that a wire may be carried from the Asylum to the Police Depot and to the City Fire Brigade Office in Christchurch. A small battery with alarm bells, and a few simple signals arranged beforehand, would bring up instant assistance from town in case of fire. I understand that the Province will pay for this work if the General Government will allow their telegraphists to execute it. It is of the utmost importance for the safety of the large amount of property and of inmates at the Asylum that this should be taken in hand at the earliest possible date. By the plans I propose, I believe it would be impossible for more than a very small part of the building to be burnt down. At present, if it were to be burnt, it may be roughly guessed that the cost to the public chest of providing immediate temporary accommodation, and all other wants of the lunatic patients, might run up to from £6,000 to £8,000. Openings are required at once for escape, in case of fire, of patients out of the convalescent sleeping wards up stairs into the leading corridors of the building. Accommodation. —In wards C and D (female) there is still great want of sleeping room. This is one of the principal wants now in the building generally. This will be met in four or five months by the completion of the new concrete building for female refractory and epileptic patients. Curative Treatment of Habitual Drunkards. —No more habitual drunkards ought to be admitted until the Asylum is sufficiently enlarged, so that these patients may be kept entirely separate from the ordinary lunatic patients. The treatment has been successful in some instances ; and only lately the Keeper met one patient in excellent health, who expressed himself satisfied that his cure was complete, and would be permanent. But it is impossible to keep under proper restraint one who is a downright scamp and blackguard, and prevent him from doing mischief among the lunatic patients, by stirring them up against the Keeper and the attendants, and in other ways. Male patients of this class may roam about freely over the grounds and in the corridors, and there is considerable risk of their behaving improperly towards female patients, and of serious scandal occurring some day to bring great discredit on the authorities in charge of the Asylum. The Act seems defective in not giving the Keeper full authority and power to enforce obedience to his orders and complance with the discipline of the Asylum in every respect, without his risking an action for assault or trespass. I think the Judge ought probably to be asked if he can avoid sending any more habitual drunkards for curative treatment till there is proper room for them entirely apart. I strongly recommend that a male patient now in the Asylum should be removed from it. Ido not think that his case can be treated with any prospect whatever of success under present circumstances. It is hardly fair to the institution to retain him there. 4

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_ General Condition of Patients.—The cleanly appearance of the patients both in person and dress their general healthful bodily condition, and the attention and care given to provide for their comfort' do great credit to the Keeper and the attendants under him. The food is wholesome and abundant' and well cooked. ' For scrupulous cleanliness and neatness and order, whether in the day or night wards about the kitchen and larder or in the yards and cells, the arrangement could scarcely fail to satisfy the most exacting visitors. J _ I cannot close my report without asking permission to express my gratification at the consideration with which the Provincial Government has received my suggestions and recommendations at all times since I have been Inspector at Sunnyside. The promptness with which they have carried out such suggestions as could be taken in hand at once, emboldens me to believe that my services have been of more use than I felt I could at all hope for when entering on my duties as Inspector. I have, &c, J. W. Hamilton. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Inspector, Sunnyside Asylum.

No. 9. His Honor W. Eolleston to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sib '~ _ Superintendent's Office, Christchurch, Canterbury, 9th July 1872 I have the honor to forward herewith a Eeport of the Inspector of the Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum of an inspection made by him on the 26th ultimo. I have, &c., The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. ' L 1 Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 9. Mr. J. W. Hamilton to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir,-- Christchurch, 6th July, 1872. 1 have the honor to report having inspected Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum on the 26th June As I found everything in nearly exactly the same state as at the two previous inspections of 29th May, and Ist June, it will be unnecessary to repeat the details of the routine carried out in accordance with " Tne Lunatics Act, 1868," and in the same manner, and with the same results nearly as reported to you 11th and 26th June (Nos. 12 and 14). I am gratified to be able at last to report that I found every book closely written up and strictly kept, for the first time, as the letter and the spirit of the Act prescribe. All omissions pointed out by me on the Ist June had been made good. I think I have now succeeded in making all the officers of the Asylum thoroughly conversant with every minute direction given by the Act for their °nidance respectively. ° _ The Keeper wished to go to Christchurch on business; I was glad to have the opportunity of going over the premises without him. Everything seems to be reduced to such good working order that 1 could observe no difference for want of the Keeper's attendance. Mr. Pain the Clerk' accompanied me, and appeared to be thoroughly conversant with everything. No patient was under restraint. Two males were secluded in their cells : one who was violent and destroying his clothing; the other, whose periodical fits of violence were coming on, and who wishes to be kept apart at such times. All the patients were present—males, 75; females, 36 •in all 111 The new building has progressed rapidly since Ist June, the walls being about 8 feet above the upper story floor joists. , .„. TT° n<7 c°ttages had been completed, and were occupied by two attendants and their families A little plot of garden and fence all round ought to be added to make the houses look neat. The photographic room requires immediate repair, some of the inner woodwork being green from continual leakage through the skylight. The padded room requires the waterproof covering to be renewed, parts of which are torn down The Provincial Council had voted £200 for fire tanks, and £80 for telegraph wire to the Police Depot and lire Brigade Station in Christchurch. May I urge on the General Government to allow their officers to fix the telegraph wire between the Asylum and Police and Fire Brigade Stations, and connect it with an alarm bell and battery at the earliest possible date as suggested in my last report (26th June). Assistance could be summoned almost instantly on the outbreak of a fire, a disaster against which too much precaution can scarcely be taken for a funatic asylum. When this wire is being fixed, I beg now to suggest that one be stretched also between the new building and tne_ Keeper s rooms in the old one, which is a long way off. If wanted suddenly with attendants, especially at night, he could be summoned promptly, and without loss of the services of an attendant, who could not perhaps be spared " without great risk " to go and call the Keeper A new stove had been fixed in the Keeper's office, and for the°first time I observed one in the cook s back room off the kitchen. As there was the certainty of the fire insurance policy being void if these stoves had not been erected with the insurers' consent, I at once wrote to the Provincial Secretary to urge the danger of using them till it was certain they were safely constructed, and with the approval of the insurers. _ Stoves being, if not fixed under professional superintendence, so notoriously the cause of buildings being burnt down, I requested the Clerk to ask the Keeper to allow no fire in them till the Insurance Offices were satisfied. The drive up from the Lincoln Eoad to the Asylum had been improved by digging over the shrubbery. But it requires fencing off from the rest of the paddock to keep the cattle and horses off,

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and to insure its always presenting that neatness of appearance without which the approaches to an institution such as the Asylum are likely to produce on visitors a first impression unfavourable to the persons in charge, and such as perhaps the good order of the house itself would hardly remove. I think that the whole of the grounds ought now to be laid out on some general plan to be gradually carried out, especially in regard to planting, so as to secure shelter by outer belts of evergreens against the cutting N.E. and S.W. gales so prevalent in Canterbury. A greatly improved local climate would thus be gained about the grounds for the benefit of the invalids and patients generally. I have, &c, J. W. Hamilton, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Inspector, Sunnyside Asylum.

PEOVINCE OF OTAGO. No. 10. His Honor J. Macandrew to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, 26th June, 1872. Enclosed I have the honor to transmit Inspector's Eeport and Supplementary Eeport on the Dunedin Lunatic Asylum for the year ending 31st March, 1872, together with copy of my reply acknowledging receipt of the same. I also forward copy of the Eeport of the Medical Officer for the same period. I may observe that the total expenditure by the Provincial Treasury on the establishment during the year amounted to £4,367, less £949 received for keep of patients. I may add that, with a view of rendering the Asylum as far as possible self-supporting, the Provincial Government has under its favourable consideration the suggestions embodied in the respective reports relative to the establishment of a farm. I have, &c, J. Macandrew, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure 1 in No. 10. Dr. Hulme to Mr. D. Eeid. Sir, — Dunedin Lunatic Asylum, 23rd May, 1872. I have the honor to submit to you the Annual Eeport of this Institution for the year ending 31st March, 1872. Also appended are statistical tables, (especially Table XL,) showing the yearly increase of tho insane in the Province of Otago. On the 31st March, 1871, there remained in the Asylum 127 patients, of whom 83 were males, and 44 females. During the year ending 31st March, 1872, 54 males and 17 females have been admitted; the total number under care and treatment for that period being 198, and the daily average 14:*. There have been discharged from the Asylum, within the twelve months, 35 recovered, 2 relieved, and 8 died; total, 45: leaving 104 males, and 49 females. Total, 153 patients under care and treatment, which shows an increase of 26 from the corresponding date of last year. It may be stated, that although Dunedin and suburbs supply to the Asylum the largest number of patients, yet tho Oamaru and Wakatipu districts have forwarded more patients this year than any previous year. The number of patients from the Invercargill district is also increasing: during the last twelve months 7 patients have been admitted from that district. As shown in Table 1., the number, 35, discharged recovered gives a percentage of 50 on the admissions, and 18 upon the total number under treatment; and referring to Table XL, of the 589 patients admitted since the opening of the Asylum, 369 were discharged recovered, giving a percentage of upwards of 626, which may be considered satisfactory. Table 11. represents the number (8) of deaths for the past year, length of residence in the Asylum, age, and cause of death. The main annual mortality is 4 per cent, upon tho total number treated. In accordance with the Lunatics Act, an inquest was held in each case. As provided in clause 64 of " The Lunatics Act, 1865," twelve patients wore allowed out on trial for certain periods, and at the expiration were discharged; and many of the inmates have been allowed from time to time to go home and visit their friends, with good results. Eeferring to Table V. (Social Condition), more than 50 per cent, of the admissions are single, many of whom, on being brought to the Asylum, were clothed in filthy rags, and without any means when recovered to go out into the world again. Such as recover are decently clothed and money given to them by the Government, to assist them to find employment. The A sylum authorities also endeavour to obtain situations for others, and without exception all have given satisfaction to their employers. At present there are three on the Asylum staff who were formerly patients in the institution : of whom it can be said that more painstaking servants in their duties cannot be found ; they take a great interest in the welfare of the establishment, and to me they appear to have a more than usual warmth to the helpless inmates they now serve. As provided by " The Lunatics Act, 1868," the Inspector visited the Asylum monthly during the year. He saw all the patients at each visit, and inspected every part of the Asylum ; also the food, bedding, and all other necessaries provided for their proper care and treatment. The books and documents required to be kept were examined and signed by him. The Inspector, at each visit, reported in his book favourably of the institution, but from time to time pointed out tho necessity of further accommodation being provided for the increasing number of male patients. A new ward will be commenced immediately after the Estimates have passed the Council. A distinct ward will also be required for Chinese lunatic patients, seven of that nation being at present in the Asylum. This ward is very much required, as the habits of the Chinese lunatics are very disagreeable to the Europeans. The miner especially very strongly shows his aversion to the Chinese.

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It is gratifying to report that a plentiful supply of water has been introduced for all purposes in the Asylum from the Water Company's works, and in case of fire we have now the control of that powerful element for its extinction. The work was entirely done by the staff of the institution. Fireplugs and hose are ready for instant use at different points outside the Asylum, while the inside is equally protected, by each ward having a press filled with hose, director, and the necessary water valve, which the attendant can turn on and use immediately. Care is taken that every attendant's key will open any of the presses, while the patients are prevented from tampering with the water valve. The sanitary state of the institution is still further improved by the drains being more frequently flushed with water. It may be added that the original water supply to the Asylum is entirely used in the laundry, and can give a certain quantity to the Asylum, in the event of any sudden stoppage occurring in the Company's supply. During the year, considerable and necessary improvements have been made in the Asylum grounds by the best working patients ; but there are many in the airing courts who could be usefully employed if there were sufficient scope for them to work ; and I may here point out that the limited extent of the grounds is becoming insufficient to give work for the increasing number of patients, and would suggest that a farm, say of 100 acres, within three miles of Dunedin, be provided in connection with the Asylum, which would give employment to the chronic or incurable male patients. Such an undertaking would assist to make the institution more self-supporting, and give a wider circle to its inmates ; even a holiday from time to time to the Asylum farm would have beneficial effects on the convalescent patients. At present there could be selected from the male division of the institution not less than thirty incurable patients, in good bodily health, and who from appearance may live for years. By drafting them to a farm, under the care of three experienced male attendants used to agriculture, their cost would be lessened, while at the same time the Asylum would be benefited from the farm produce it has now to purchase. The surplus produce (if any) could also be sold, or supplied to the other institutions depending on the Government. There would be an outlay at first, but not to a great extent, for the farm buildings, and a ward for the patients and attendants. The buildings could be erected by Asylum labour. Another reason for such a beneficial step being taken is, that incurable cases could be drafted to the farm, leaving room for the admission of acute cases ; the present building would not have to be enlarged every year, as the number of inmates would not materially increase in its limited grounds. The money laid out on enlargements to the present building could go to lay the foundations of a permanent Lunatic Asylum at the farm. . Table X. shows the economical results of tho year, the total expenditure being £3,953, and the repayments from private patients £949 ; the weekly cost per head over all being 10s. 7d., and, deducting repayments, net cost Bs. The garden has been very productive, and given a plentiful supply of vegetables, Ac, &c. Whilst the daily work in the Asylum and grounds is regularly performed, the amusements for the inmates are not forgotten. During the year weekly balls have taken place, interspersed with dramatic entertainments, Christy Minstrels, magic lantern, &c.; and patients, in charge of their attendants, have been allowed to concerts and other amusements in the city. At a recess, opportunity was taken to have the stage in the amusement hall remodelled. It is now fitted up with beautiful scenery, painted by Mr. J. S. Willis, of the Princess Theatre, and thanks are due to the artist for the handsome pictures produced to give pleasure to the patients. The "Luna Dramatic Club" has performed both in comedy and farce to upwards of 100 patients, from time to time. During the year religious instructions have been given to those patients fit to take part in them, and, from observation, have been attended with good results. Besides the service on Sabbath, the patients are visited during the week by the Chaplains. As heretofore, clergymen of any denomination, on coming to the Asylum, have free access to the members of their respective Churches. _ In closing this report I have to express my acknowledgments to the officers and attendants of the institution for its careful and satisfactory management; also, for the kindness and comfort bestowed by them on its inmates. I have, &c, Edward Hulme, M.D., F.E.C.S. Lond., The Provincial Treasurer. Provincial Surgeon.

Table I. Eeturn of Patients Admitted, Discharged, and Died, during the Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1872. Males. Females. Total. JNumber of Patients remaining in the Asylum, Ist April, 1871 ... 83 44 127 Admitted from Dunedin and Suburbs ... ... ... ... 19 5 24 ~ Dunedin Hospital ... ... ... ... 1 0 1 „ Dunedin Gaol ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 1 „ Tuapeka ... ... ... ... ... 4 0 4 „ Port Chalmers ... ... ... ... ... 1 1 2 „ Hawksbury ... ... ... ... ... 3 1 4 „ Dunstan ... ... ... ... ... 2 2 4 Blacks ... ... ... ... ... 3 0 3 „ Oamaru ... ... ... ... ... 3 4 7 „ Tokomairiro ... ... ... ... ... 3 0 3 „ Wakatipu ... ... ... ... ... 5 1 6 „ Invercargill ... ... ... ... ... 4 3 7 „ East, West, and North Taieri ... ... ... 4 0 4 „ Province of Nelson ... ... ... ... 1 0 1 Total under treatment ... ... ... ... 137 61 198

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Males. Females. Total Brought forward—Total under treatment ... ... 137 61 198 Dicsharged— m. p. total. Cured ... ... ... 26 9 35 Eelieved ... ... ... 0 2 2 Died ... ... ... 7 18 33 12 45 Eemaining in Asylum 31st March, 1872 ... ... ... ... 104 49 153 Percentage cured on the admissions ... ... 500 ~ „ total under treatment ... 18-0 „ of Deaths ... ... 4-0 Daily average number for the year ... ... 143

Table 11. Showing the Number of Deaths during the Year, and their Causes; also Age at time of Death. 1 male, aged 23 ; three weeks in Asylum ; cause of death, pneumonia. 1 male, aged 30 ; three months in Asylum; cause of death, exhaustion from acute mania. 1 male, aged 38 ; five months in Asylum ; cause of death, softening of the brain. 1 male, aged 36 ; seven months in Asylum ; cause of death, softening of the brain. 1 male, aged 62; eleven months in Asylum ; cause of death, paralysis. 1 male, aged 64; eleven months in Asylum ; cause of death, paralysis. 1 female, aged 34 ; two and a half years in Asylum ; cause of death, paralysis. 1 male, aged 39 ; six and a half years ; cause of death, consumption.

Table 111. . - Acjes of those on Admission during the Year. Males. Females. Total. From 5 to 10 years „ 10 to 15 „ „15to 20 „ ... ... ... ... ... ... \" "' '" „ 20 to 25 „ ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 "i "5 „ 25 to 30 „ ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 3 13 „ 30 to 35 „ ... ... ... ... ... ... 9 4 13 „ 35 to 40 „ ... ... ... ... ... ... 13 5 i 8 „ 40 to 45 „ ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 2 14 „ 45 to 50 „ ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 2 , 7 „ 50 to 55 „ ~ 55 to 60 „ ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 ... 1 Totals ... ... ... ... ... 54 17 71

Table IV. Occupation of those Admitted during the Year. Males. Females. Total. Bank Managers ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 0 2 Barbers ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 1 Bottle Gatherers ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 1 Carriers ... ... ... ... ... ... ... \ 0 1 Carpenters ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 0 2 Chemists ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 1 Clergymen ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 1 Domestic Servants ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 8 8 Drapers ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 1 Farmers ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 0 4 „ Wives ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 1 1 Gentlemen ... ... ... ... ... ... ... \ 0 1 Grocers ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 1 Housekeepers ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 6 6 Hotelkeepers ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 1 4 Labourers ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 0 12 „ Wives ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 1 1 Miners ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 14 0 14 Ploughmen ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 0 2 Sailors ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 0 2 Shepherds ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 0 3 Schoolmasters ... ... ... ... , ... ... ... 1 0 1 Storemen ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 1 Totals ... ... ... ... . 54 17 71 5

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Table V. Social Condition of those Admitted during the Year. 0 . , Males. Females. Total. nSle . 33 4 37 a7 ied J 12 10 22 Widowed ... ... ... ... . 5 go Unknown ... ... ... ... ... ._. 4 0 4 Totals , ••• ■•• :.. ... ... 54 17 71

Table VI. Education of those Admitted during the Year. _ _, n , , TT ~ Males. Females. Total. Can Eead and Write ... ... ... ... 35 7 43 Can Eead only ... ... ... ... 7 g -jg None ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 2 7 Chinese ... ... ... ... ... 2 0 2 Unknown ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 0 4 Totals •■• ... ... ... ... 54 17 71

Table VII. Nationality of those Admitted during the Year. .„ , - Males. Females. Total. England ... ... ... ... ... ... ... t2 6 18 Ireland 14 6 20 Scotland ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 5 25 Victoria ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 i United States ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 1 Denmark ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 q 1 Prussia ... ... ... ... ... 2 0 2 J*f?y ••• '•■• 1 0 1 Gn__... •■• ■•• -. ... ... ... ... 2 0 2 Totals... ... ... ... ... ... 54 17 71

Table VIII. Eeliqious Persuasion of those Admitted during the Year. „ . . . Males. Females. Total. Presbyterians ... ... ... ... ... ... 24 6 30 Episcopalians ... ... ... ... ... ... '[' 14 5 19 Eoman Catholics ... ... ... ... ... ■ 8 6 14 Lutherans ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 q q Chinese ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 0 2 Unknown ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 0 3 Totals... ... ... ... ... ... 54 17 71

Table IX. Length of Eesidence of Patients remaining in the Asylum at end of Year. Institution opened, August 1863. Males. Females. Total. Under 9 years ... ... ... ... 9 7 16 „ 8 „ ... ... ... ... 4 5 9 „ 7 „ ... ... ... ... 5 0 5 » 6 „ U i 12 >, 5 ~ 11 4 15 „ 4 „ ... ... ... ... 7 1 8 „ 3 „ ... ... ... ... 16 9 25 „ 2 „ ... ... ... ... 10 11 21 „ 1 „ ... ... ... ... 31 11 42 Totals ... 104 49 153

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Table X. Daily Average Cost of each Patient during the Year. s. d. Salaries ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 74 Eations ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 7 Stores and Furniture ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 Of Fuel and Light ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 Of Medical Comforts, &c. ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 Of Bedding and Clothing ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 1 Incidental Expenses, Stationery, &c. ... ... ... ... Q Of ■ Total ... ... ... ... 1 6f Less Eepa3?ments ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 4f Net daily average cost of each Patient ... ... ... ... 1 lf „ weekly „ „ „ „ ... ... ... ... g 0i Net for the year ... ... ... ... ... £20 19 4| Eepayments from Patients duriag the year ... ... £919 18 5 (Net number of days' residence of Patients in the Asylum for the year, 52,462.)

TABLE XI. GENERAL RESULTS of each Year since the Opening of the Asylum, 1863.

Summary of Total Admissions since 1863. Percentage of cases Eecovered ... ... ... ... ... 6264 „ „ Believed ... ... ... ... ... 305 Dead ... ... ... ... ... B'3l „ „ Eemaining ... ... ... ... ... 2600 10000 Enclosure 2 in No. 10. Captain Fraser to His Honor J. Macandrew. Sib,— Dunedin, 25th June, 1872. As provided by the 60th clause of " The Lunatics Act, 1868," I have the honor to submit to you a Eeport on the general condition and progress of the Dunedin Lunatic Asylum, for the year ending the 31st March, 1872. I have also appended the Medical Officer's Eeport, with statistical tables showing the general results of each year since the opening of the institution. During the year I have visited the Asylum monthly, and inspected every part of it. Saw all the patients at each visit, including those at Park House, the residence for private patients. The food, bedding, and other necessary comforts required were also examined and found satisfactory ; the bread excepted, which I found to be of indifferent quality, but it was afterwards improved by the contractor. The books required to be kept, as provided under the Act, were submitted to me at each visit, and found correct. The documentary form of admission was not complete as required by section 15, schedule 10. The " statement " having been left blank by those sending patients to the Asylum, the necessary information was enforced by me, and accompanies every patient admitted into the institution.

Peeiod. Admitted. Recovered. Disch. lIJGED. Believed. Died. Remaining at the end of each Year. U S a a* a a o . bo 13 « « AS "s| g 8 5 a CrV3 %s <D S3 o S ■§ fl a ° o g £-- 8»3 || S a Pi ° H. V. Total M. ¥. Total M. F. Total! "11. E. Total I M. rj Total I .1 : .1 Lug. 28 to Sept. 30,1863... lept. 1863 to Sept. 1864 ... „ 1864 „ 1865 ... „ 1865 „ 1866 ... „ 18G6 „ 1867 ... „ 1867 „ 1868 ... „ 1868 to Mar. 1869 ... lar. 1869 „ 1870 ... „ 1870 „ 1871 ... „ 1871 „ 1872 ... 13 45 36 35 61 37 60 63 34 54 8 23 13 11 11 7 16 18 27 17 21 68 49 46 72 44 76 81 61 71 25 20 22 35 26 53 51 21 26 1 12 11 6 8 4 13 10 16 9 1 37 31 28 43 30 66 61 37 35 2 1 2 "i "i 4 1 4 3 7 4 6 8 5 5 5 7 1 1 3 8 5 6 3 5 6 5 8 13 30 37 45 63 71 72 79 83 104 7 18 17 21 22 25 27 j 33 44 49 20 48 54 66 85 96 j 99 112 : 127 153 : 10 37 49 62 82 92 102 105 123 143 3'4 8-2 5-0 4-3 2-3 2-9 33 29 4-0 48 54-4 63-2 60-9 59'7 68-1 86-8 75-3 60-7 . 500 4-8 42-0 30-9 28-0 31-1 23 -2 38-4 339 21-4 180 i "4 i l 2 1 4 2 i' 2 i Totals 438 151 ! 1589 279 90 ; 369 10 8 18 45 4 49 3-6 58-4 : 27-2

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Tho following table shows the admissions and discharges for the year ending 31st March, 1872 .— In the Asylum, Ist April, 1871 *%? 8' *<$■ Admitted during the year ending 31st March, 1872 ..." .'.'.' 54 17 t\ Total under care during the year ... ... ... 137 61 198 _, , Males. Females. Total, itecovered... ... ... ... 26 9 35 Believed ... ... ... ... 0 2 2 Died ... '.'.' '.'.'. 7 18 — — — 33 12 45 Eemaining in the Asylum on the 31st March, i 872 ... ... 104 49 a . To^f ar' f? "1 f°r I mer °ne8 ' stiU sllows the satisfaefory results of the 64th section of " The Lunatics Act, 1868, as the twelve patients authorized by me to be let out on trial from the Asylum were discharged recovered at the end of their probation. J On my visits through the. male wards of the Asylum, it was satisfactory to observe that they were kept thoroughly clean and well ventilated, but at the same time there was a perceptible increase in the numbers This was pointed out; and now I may state that the wards in the male division are overcrowded, which requires an immediate enlargement; also additional airing courts for better classification. ° ra Many improvements have taken place during the year. The Asylum grounds have been extended and a large paddock is now being levelled to form a cricket-ground for the inmates of the institution' This healthy amusement will be highly beneficial to the male patients. The garden is also to be enlarged, to provide roots, vegetables, &c, for the increasing requirements of the Inmates It is satisfactory to report that a plentiful supply of water is now laid on from the Dunedin Waterworks ; all the wards are provided with hose and water valves,-in fact, every human precaution is taken to guard against fire. The large supply of water will further improve the drainage by increased flushing. L ' UJ As yet, the sanitary state of the institution has been satisfactory, and no epidemic has broken out The general appearance of the patients is clean, healthy, and in good bodily condition, and the sick rooms on either division had not more than one or two occupants on my visits. This may be easily accounted for: on reference to Table 3of the Medical Officer's Eeport, it is shown in this year (as in previous years) tno ages of those admitted are from 25 to 45 years,-just in the prime and vigour A certain ratio of the patients admitted yearly, remain chronic or incurable. In this Asylum and from reports m all other Asylums, each decade gives an increase. The first decade of the Dunedin Lunatic Asylum on reference to Table " General Eesults of each Year," shows on the first year a daily average of 10 patients and m the tenth year a daily average of 143, or 1 lunatic patient for every 500 of the population of this Province with Southland annexed; and with regret it may be stated that the great increase of insane patients in this Asylum is from the abuse of alcoholics, as shown from the forms of admission. Other causes of insanity T will state in a future report. The patients' amusements are studiously attended to:—concerts, dances, dramatic entertainments and indoor games ; in fine weather, there are out-door games and walking parties ' The Sabbath is duly observed, and divine service held by the Chaplains of the Asylum regularly There are seven Chinese lunatic patients in the Asylum ; and considering the racial antipathy of the European to the leprous Mongolian, I am of opinion that it is injurious to the European lunatic being brought into daily contact with the Chinese, and that an additional ward and airing court should be provided for the latter without delay. ° I now come to an important matter, which I desire to bring prominently forward, as it affects not only the welfare of this Province, but that of the Colony generally Soon after I became officially connected with the Otago Asylum, I could not but remark the large number (0) of Scandinavian lunatics, and on pointing this out to our intelligent Superintendent, Mr. Hume I was informed that the whole of these patients were incurables, and that no bcandmavian patient had ever been discharged from the Asylum as cured These patients, with one exception, are perfectly harmless ; neither harshness nor kindness makes the slightest impression upon them. The mind appears to be utterly gone—and for ever On prosecuting inquiries outside, I was informed by intelligent American gentlemen that attention had been drawn to the large average of Scandinavians in several of the lunatic asylums in tho States And a gentleman holding a high position in this Colony, and who was at one time connected with the tfortn-West Fur Company informed me that they annually lost some of their best Scandinavian hunters from insanity and that ultimately they were compelled, as a precautionary measure, to group them in numbers at the out-stations. " b l On consulting Statistical Eeports I find that there is a larger average of insane in Norway than m any other _ part of the world Now, as it appears that Scandinavian immigrants are about to be poured into this Province, without apparently any provision having been made for their location on the land m groups, I am of opinion that, if they are to straggle over the Province, a large average of them will drift into our Asylum, and become a permanent burden on the institution As the pauper incurable lunatics are largely on the increase, and have already become a serious and a permanent burden on this Province, I am of opinion that all those who are capable of out-door work should be drafted to a farm, where their labour, under proper superintendence/would become so remunerative that they would soon cease to be a burden on the community.

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The experiment has been tried elsewhere, and with complete success. I would suggest a site along the Southern Trunk Eailway, between Tokomairiro and Green Island, as a suitable locality for the farm. I should be glad to hear of the appointment of an Inspector-General of Lunatic Asylums for the Colony, were it only to prevent the recurrence of such an outrage on humanity as was perpetrated by the Nelson authorities when, towards the end of last September, in violation of the Act, they forwarded to this Asylum, without a transfer order, and without an attendant, Charles Brown, a dangerous lunatic, who was put on board the s.s. " Phccbe," and chained like a savage animal sent to a menagerie. On a recent occasion, when I visited the Canterbury Lunatic Asylum, on passing through the ward for advanced convalescent female patients, I was much struck with the cheerful air of home comfort. I saw books, musical instruments, work tables, growing flowers, and singing birds ; and, to judge by the expression of the inmates, the influence of the surroundings was soothing and curative. In my own mind, I could not help contrasting this ward, as it should bo, with the corresponding one in our own Asylum, so dull, harsh, and cheerless of aspect. On my return here I suggested a reform, which I regret to say has as yet been but partially carried out. In conclusion, I have to state that all my official visits to the Dunedin Lunatic Asylum were satisfactory, and it gave me great pleasure to witness the unflagging zeal of the officers and subordinates in promoting the welfare of the patients. I have, &c, T. Eraser, To His Honor James Macandrew, Inspector of Otago Lunatic Asylums. Superintendent of the Province of Otago.

Enclosure 3 in No. 10. Supplementary Eeport. Taking into consideration the large number of patients in the Asylum, and the ratio at which they are annually increasing, I am of opinion that the time has come when a medical gentleman should be appointed, the greater part of whose time would be devoted, not only to the welfare of the inmates generally, but to the watchful study of the special and interesting cases of mental alienation which would come under his observation. The qualifications for such an office are indeed of the rarest kind, but they are at the same time indispensable. "He must unite the natural endowments of benevolence and firmness; he must be good and humane, at tho same time just and inflexible, courageous and calm, tempering firmness with serenity, and kindness with decision and impartiality; he must be possessed of a sound practical knowledge of human nature in all its phases, and that innate power or tact which enables one to govern others, to acquire their confidence and esteem, and at the same time to command their ready obedience and respect." I observe with regret that puerperal mania is much on the increase. lam under the impression that this may in some measure be accounted for by the circumstance of the high rate of medical charges, which compels the wives of the poorer classes to employ ignorant and incapable midwives ; and I would suggest, as a remedial measure, that a space in the Hospital should be set apart for a public " Lying-in Hospital," where the wives of the poorer classes would have the advantage of proper medical treatment, medical comforts, and that absolute quiet which is so often denied to them in their own homes. T. Fbaser, Inspector, Otago Lunatic Asylum. Enclosure 4 in No. 10. His Honor J. Macandrew to Captain Fraser. Sir,— Dunedin, 26th June, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, with thanks, of your Eeport upon the Dunedin Lunatic Asylum for the year ending 31st March, 1872, and to express my gratification with the general state and efficiency of the institution. While I do not concur in your opinion as to the expediency of the appointment of an InspectorGeneral for the Colony, I have much pleasure in stating that your other valuable suggestions fully commend themselves, and will meet with due attention. I have, &c, J. Macandrew, The Hon. Captain Fraser, M.L.C., Superintendent of Otago. Llonorary Inspector, Dunedin Lunatic Asylum.

COUNTY OF WESTLAND. No. 11. Mr. H. H. Lahmann to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir, —■ County Chairman's Office, Hokitika, 14th March, 1872. I have the honor to forward herewith the Eeport of the Inspector of Lunatic Asylums for the County of Westland, for the year ending 31st January, 1872. I have, &c, H. H. Lahmann, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Chairman of the County Council. Wellington. 6

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22

REPORT ON THE

Enclosure in No. 11. Mr. G. G. EitzGerald to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Office of the Inspector of Lunatic Asylums for the County of Westland, Sib — 7th February, 1872. _ I have the honor, in accordance with " The Lunatics Act, 1868," to report as follows on the Lunatic Asylums of the County of Westland, for the year ending 31st January, 1872. I was under the impression, until I again recently read the Lunatics Act of 1868, that the Inspector's general report had to be furnished half-yearly, and accordingly, on 14th July, 1871, I furnished a full report to you up to the end of June last. I find, on reference to the Act, that the report should be for the year ending January 31st; but under the circumstances it will, I presume, be sufficient for me now to deal with the period between 30th June, 1871, and 31st January of the present year, referring you to my former report for the occurrences of the early part of the year. The number of lunatics remaining in the Sunnyside Asylum, in the Province of Canterbury, at the cost of the County of Westland, was, on the 31st January, 1872, six—namely, 2 females and 4 males. Their weekly maintenance per head amounts to 225. 6d. The number of lunatics confined in the Sea View Lunatic Asylum on the 31st January, 1872, was 30—all males. There were received from Ist July, 1871, to 31st January, 1872, inclusive, 13 patients ; discharged, 6 ; died, none. The average number in the Asylum during the same term was 26. The average cost per head was 19s. 9|d. per week, but this does not include the salary of the Medical Officer, who is also County Surgeon and Medical Officer of the Gaol and Police Station. I have made many visits to the Asylum during the year, and am satisfied that the Medical Officer, the Keeper, and the attendants have done the best, with the means at their disposal, for the health and comfort of those committed to their charge. The house accommodation of the Asylum is a wing of the County Gaol, but there is no communication between the prisoners and the lunatics, with the exception that one of the former is employed in keeping the premises clean, and in making beds and doing other necessary domestic work. The large recreation ground, which is securely fenced and commands a fine view of the sea and a part of the coast line, is of great use in affording the patients opportunities for exercise; and in addition to this, the Keeper is in the habit of taking a few of the more manageable patients for walks m the neighbourhood of the town. A number of the patients, however, greatly prefer to be employed at work about the Asylum—at gardening, or, when possible, at some trade. I can speak confidently of the close attention Dr. Dermott, the Medical Officer, has bestowed on his duties. The general health of the patients has been remarkably good. The building and offices at the Asylum on the Hospital Eeserve remain in precisely the same state m which I reported them to be on the 30th June, 1871. The accommodation is wretched in the extreme. The roof leaks ; the cells are small and badly ventilated; the fencing which is around part of the premises is completely rotten; the accommodation for the attendant is totally inadequate, lhese matters have from time to time been brought under the notice of the County authorities. I append a tabulated statement of the eases treated in this Asylum from the 30th June, 1871, to the 31st January, 1872, and annexed thereto are some remarks by Dr. Maunsell, the Medical Officer and Keeper. I am happy to be able to report that the County Government have at length determined on erecting a suitable Asylum for the whole of the lunatics under treatment in the County. The site is to be that of the present Sea View Asylum, and the only objection that can be urged against the locality is its proximity to the Gaol. In other respects, the site is all that can bo desired. The work will, I am informed by the County Chairman, be pushed forward as quickly as possible. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. G. G. EitzGerald, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums for the County of Westland.

&.—No. 27.

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Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 11. REPORT of the HOKITIKA LUNATIC ASYLUM on the HOSPITAL RESERVE, to 31st January, 1872.

23

LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN THE COLONY.

Number. Name. Occupation Native Place. Residence. 'Age. Married Sex, or Single. Date of first Admission. Date of Discharge. Form of Insanity. Supposed Cause. Eemarks. f F. Single ... i ' 1 2 Number of patients 3 in the Asylum on -j 4 the 1st July,1871 5 6 17 Mary Leislip Domestic Ireland Hokitika ... 31 Mar. 27,1869 Acute Mania... Long continued intemperance. Supposed to have been a patient in the Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum. Helen O'Leary ... Maria Hayes Maria Travers ■ Melbourne Ireland ,, ... ,, ... Boss 26 27 42 „ Married... Mar. 3,1869 i May 2,1869 • Sept. 24, 1869 Dementia; Puerperal Mania Melancholia;... Dementia) ,, ... ,, ... Pregnancy Discharged December 4, 1869 ; readmitted December 22, 1869. J> >j ... » ! „ ••■ Bridget McMalion E. J. Fritte Annie Seal N.S. Wales' England ... Greenstone Stafford ... 33 24 57 „ Single ... „ Married... July 23, 1868 Dec. 17, 1870 Eeb. 27, 1871 Prostitution Had been a patient in the Hospital. JJ " " ,, Besult of senile ramollissement Admitted from 1st | 9 July, 1871, up to , 10 31st Jan., 1872 | 11 12*1 113 Emma Beddiek ... Amelia La Franchi Ellen McDonald ... Emily Morwick ... Annie Christie ... Catherine Turner... )> N.S. Wales" England ... Hokitika ... Waimea ... Greenstone Kanieri Hokitika ... 32 24 24 38 26 29 a- i „ j Single ... „ ! Married... July 23,1868 June 30,1870 Sept. 22,1871 Dec. 26,1871 Dec. 29,1871 Mar. 16,1870 April 5,1870 Aug. 5,1870 Monomania;... Dementia; Acute mania... Dementia; ... Delusions, illusions Epilepsy Syphilis Alcoholism Readmitted August 23, 1871. „ November 23, 1870. )3 Calcutta ... Jan. 17,1872 Mar. 27 Readmitted January 16, 1872. )) England ... j, ... » j, Discharged during \ the last six months 5 -,- # S. M. Hiscocks ... )J 40 » „ ... May 27, 1871 Dec. 1,1871 ,, ... Admitted into Hospital with Phthisis pulmonalis. Annie Christie ... ))