LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN NEW ZEALAND, (REPORTS ON THE).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1874 Session I, H-02

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1874. NEW ZEALAND.

LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN NEW ZEALAND, (REPORTS ON THE).

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by command of Sis Excellency.

AUCKLAND. No. 1. Eepoet on the Peovincial Lunatic Astltjm. Sie ,— "Wellington, 18th June, 1874. In reply to your letter of the 16th instant, in reference to the Inspector of the Auckland Asylum not having supplied his annual report on the 31st January last, I have the honor to state that, at the Superintendent's request, a general report was transmitted, both by the Eesident Surgeon and myself, nearly at the end of the year, so as to be laid before the Provincial Council, which met in the month of December. Had I been in Auckland, I should have supplemented that report by a few further remarks; but being on a visit to Wellington at the time, and knowing that Dr. Aickin had written a full report on every additional topic which I had purposed alluding to (and which report I knew would be attached to my own for transmission to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary), I therefore did not send in another report on 31st January, supposing that the former one would be considered sufficient. I would now say, that in the interim of time alluded to no particular circumstance worthy of special remark" occurred to us, either with respect to the building, the patients, or the general management of the institution. There was just the same want of room and want of assistance as heretofore, causing anything like a suitable classification impossible. The Provincial Government are very willing to do what they can, but want of funds prevents them from doing what they ought; and unless such, funds are supplemented by the General Assembly, no Inspector can visit the Auckland Asylum repeatedly, as I did, without a feeling of intense disappointment and regret that such a state of things should be allowed to exist. In such a condition of over-crowding and intermixture of the several classes of patients, it is almost a marvel that any cures at all can be effected; and yet, under the combined influence of medical attention, wholesome diet, and a genial climate, the proportion of discharges to admissions is very satisfactory indeed. It is, however, very desirable, if only for the amusement and gratification of the inmates, that the regular monthly entertainments, of a musical character, should be revived, after being discontinued for so long a period. It would also be the means of renewing the interest of the general public in the condition and management of the establishment, and so be productive of many advantages. As to the dancing of the female patients, I would have that limited to themselves, their attendants, and a few select friends invited for the purpose; for I never could see the advantage of allowing them to intermix in the miscellaneous company of a public entertainment. Such private dances they have frequently had in their own parlour, but an extension of the system might, I think, be pursued with advantage. All the other wants of the institution have been so fully and so often referred to in former reports, that it is apparently useless to advert to them again. They can all be supplied at but a comparatively small expense ; and when the proposed General Inspector of Asylums arrives, they will doubtless be again urged on the attention of the authorities, when it is to be hoped they will meet with better success. My half-yearly statements were duly supplied to His Honor the Superintendent at the end of June and December respectively. I have, &c, H. Hanson Ttjeton, (late Inspector of Asylums, Province of Auckland), The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. I—H. 2.

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NEW PLYMOUTH. No. 2. Mr. Ceompton to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Taranaki. Sib, — New Plymouth, 7th January, 1874. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, that since my last report, dated the 3rd July, 1873, I have visited the Lunatic Asylum nearly every week during the past half year, and sometimes oftener, when my attendance has been asked for by a patient. The required enlargement and improvements of the Asylum are nearly completed. There are at present two lunatics under confinement—viz., Eleazor Naylor, whose 'condition is much the same as when last reported, and George Alfred Gower, a confirmed idiot, and utterly imbecile. I have also visited Michael Flanagan, a convict very lately adjudged a lunatic, and for the present detained in the Gaol until the Asylum is rendered secure enough to detain him. Having visited him several times before and since the adjudication as a lunatic, I must express my doubts as to the character of his luna.cy. Catherine Martin, a monomaniac, mentioned in my last report, has been discharged from the Asylum on her husband giving me his bond for her safety, in accordance with the provisions of the Lunatics Act. Every attention is paid to the health, comfort, and cleanliness of the patients. I have, &c, Wm. M. Ceompton, • His Honor the Superintendent, New Plymouth. Inspector in Lunacy.

No. 3. Mr. Ceompton to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Taranaki. Sib,— New Plymouth, 30th June, 1874. I have the honor to state, for the information of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, that since my last report, dated the 7th January last, I have continued my nearly weekly visits to the Lunatic Asylum during the past half-year, and have great satisfaction in reporting the completion of the Asylum, which is in all respects sufficient for the present requirements of the Province. I have further to report the death of George Alfred Gower on the 10th of April last in the Asylum. There are at present three lunatics in the Asylum—viz., Eleazor Naylor, respecting whom I can report no change whatever for the better; Thomas Coad, whose condition gives no hope of recovery; and Michael Flanagan, who I stated in my last report was detained in the Provincial Gaol until the Asylum was safe. It is satisfactory to be able to report that since his removal to the Asylum he has been far more submissive to rules than heretofore. The attention paid to the health, comfort, and cleanliness of the patients, is satisfactory in all respects. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki. Wm. M. Ceompton, • Inspector in Lunacy.

WELLINGTON. No. 4. Annual Eepobt on Lunatic Asylum. Sib, — Wellington, 28th January, 1874. As Inspector of the Mount View Lunatic Asylum in this city, I have the honor to report to you as follows, pursuant to section 60 of " The Lunatics Act, 1868 ": — This Asylum was lately erected by the Provincial Government of Wellington, upon part of a reserve on the town belt of the city, which was set apart for the purpose, under the provisions of " The Wellington City Eeserves Act, 1872," at a cost of upwards of £7,000. The position is well chosen and healthy, and commands extensive views, while the grounds around the Asylum (comprising nearly 70 acres) are diversified in character, and are well adapted for cultivation and ornamental planting. Gardens have already been laid out, which not only afford healthy employment to the male inmates, but also yield a considerable supply of fresh vegetables for the use of the establishment. I am informed that a good deal of ornamental planting will be undertaken during the ensuing winter. Every facility exists for efficient drainage and sewerage, the latter of which could be effected at a moderate cost so soon as a supply of water has been obtained from the waterworks now under construction by the Corporation of Wellington. With regard to the buildings themselves, however, they appear to me to be defective both in design and in execution, and much alteration will be required in order to bring them up to the standard which is now considered necessary in tho case of efficient asylums for the insane. This subject has been dealt with in a report to the Visiting Justices, by Drs. Alexander Johnston and Grace, and by Mr. France, the medical attendant to the Asylum, in the substance of which I fully concur, and I am informed that the Provincial Government have signified their willingness to incur the necessary expen-

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diture to meet the suggestions contained in that report, and otherwise to render the institution thoroughly efficient. I have, however, ventured to urge that no extensive additions, or even material alterations in the present buildings, should be made until the establishment has been placed under the superintendence of a skilled medical officer, to whom the plan of any proposed alterations or improvements should be submitted. This is a course strongly urged by Dr. Manning, in the valuable report on lunatic asylums presented in 1868 to the Parliament of New South Wales. The Provincial Government have expressed their willingness to provide for the salary of such an officer, and pending his appointment some alterations have been made under my direction, which have tended greatly to improve the drainage and general sanitary condition of the buildings. The Asylum is at present under the management of Mr. H. F. Seager, who is diligent and attentive to his duties and zealous in their discharge, but who has never had any special training for the position he holds. The establishment and the patients are generally kept in a very cleanly condition, and the latter appear to enjoy good bodily health, but I conceive that until they are placed under the charge of a resident medical superintendent having the entire control of the Asylum, the curative purposes of the institution must remain at the minimum of efficiency. There can, indeed, be little doubt that the usefulness of a lunatic asylum depends almost entirely upon its being under the undivided charge of a skilled medical officer. I have, therefore, no hesitation in stating, without in any degree desiring to disparage the efforts, either of the present Keeper, or of the medical officer who now attends the institution, that it is not likely to produce efficient results until it has been placed under such charge. I beg specially to call your attention to the absence of any regulations for the management of the Asylum, the entire government being left to the unfettered will of the Keeper. The Visiting Justices and myself have recently obtained the regulations in force in other asylums in this colony and in Australia, and are about to suggest a code for the Mount View Asylum, but I venture to suggest the expediency of at once providing a general code providing for matters of necessity common to all asylums in the colony. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. ¥m. Thos. Locke Teayees.

NAPIEE. No. 5. Annual Eepoet on Lunatic Asylum. Sib, — Napier, 7th June, 1874. I have the honor to forward a report on the Napier Lunatic Asylum, as required by the 60th section of " The Lunatics Act, 1868." The only Asylum in this province is that in Napier. It is a part of the gaol building, and is under the charge of the gaoler and warders. During the year 1873 there were ten male and three female patients. One male lunatic died, and one was discharged within the year. I observed that an honorable member of the Legislative Council found fault with my report last year as affording no information, and he supplemented it with such very remarkable statements that I felt it necessary to forward, through His Honor J. D. Ormond, Agent to the General Government, a reply (which I believe was published) as to the charge of mismanagement which the honorable member made against the officer in charge of the Asylum. With regard to the meagre character of my report, I am afraid the materials at my command will scarcely enable me to make a valuable contribution to scientific literature. Not having a medical education, nor any experience in the treatment of insanity, I think it would be somewhat presumptuous, and certainly a waste of time, if I were to theorize upon the several cases of these thirteen unfortunate people. Fully occupied as I am with the multifarious duties of my offices, I can but devote a couple of hours from time to time to visiting the Asylum, and seeing to the comfort and cleanliness of the patients, and affording them an opportunity of complaint or representation of any kind ; but I cannot pretend to offer an opinion of any value as to the treatment of each individual, with a view to cure or alleviation of the malady. I must, therefore, as formerly, confine myself to a brief summary of facts, with a few remarks of a very general character. Of the three female patients, one has come under my observation for several years. She has been subject to epileptic fits, which grew upon her until she became hopelessly insane ; she is quiet and harmless. The other two females do not seem to me to afford much hope of recovery. There is a female attendant who is not resident on the premises, but who lives in the immediate vicinity, and attends to the requirements of these lunatics. They have a convenient yard, to which they have free access, and which is quite shut off from the other parts of the Asylum. Of the male prisoners, four are apparently healthy and contented. One works, by his own desire, in the hard labour gang, and is always quiet when kept employed, but becomes troublesome in case of bein<" idle. Another might probably be discharged but that his propensity for drink brings back his malady whenever he is allowed at liberty. One of these four is very violent at intervals, for a day or two, and then behaves like a sane man ; he has been, I believe, in two or three other asylums, and seems much as he has always been since he came to Hawke's Bay ; he has been discharged two or three times, only to be sent back after a few weeks. The other male patients are more or less imbecile and helpless, and I see no chance of their amendment. The arrangement by which the Gaol and Asylum were combined in one building was of a temporary nature, and the time has arrived at which it is absolutely necessary to separate them. With the

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large increase of population, even the wealth and prosperity of the Province do not prevent the Gaol from having more than its usual number of inmates, so that the part occupied by the Asylum is urgently required for its ordinary purpose. On the other hand, while the number of the insane does not more than keep pace with the population, it is necessary to increase the accommodation. It is with much satisfaction, therefore, I have learned that it is the intention of the Provincial Government to erect an asylum on the Gaol Eeserve, but quite disconnected. It will, I understand, be under the charge of the same master as at present, but with such extra subordinates as may be required. I may, however, express my opinion that it would be more merciful to the insane if all the worst cases could be drafted to a central asylum, or at least that the smaller provinces should combine for this purpose. In a small asylum, containing ten or twelve patients, under the charge of an officer who has to fulfil the important duties of gaoler also, and dependent for medical aid on the casual visits of a Provincial Surgeon, with his numerous other duties, it is impossible, under such circumstances, that the patients can receive the same attention that they would in a large asylum under the charge of a master selected for that particular duty, and a medical officer who would probably devote his chief attention to them : being subject also to inspection by persons of leisure and experience. In a large asylum there are also great advantages, in the way of amusement and occupations, which must have a most beneficial effect on all cases where the malady has not become incurable. I visited, last year, the asylums of Canterbury and Otago, and was much surprised not only at the comforts and advantages provided for the unfortunate inmates, but also at the very large number of them. In a population such as that of a new colony, recruited chiefly from the healthy and energetic, whilst in youth, or at least middle age, I should have expected a low average of insanity ; but such does not seem to be the case, and so far as my limited experience in this province enables me to form an opinion, I think that the excessive use of spirits, and probably of drugged spirits, has much to do with the populating the asylums. Cases of incipient insanity are frequently brought before me as Eesident Magistrate, which are dealt with by a few days' remand for medical inspection, without a formal committal to the asylum. The men under the care of the Provincial Surgeon are generally dismissed, in a few days, cured, or "as well as they will ever be," and if their money is all gone, they will probably disappear for a time. One disadvantage which results from the provincial system, as applied to the care of the insane, is the tendency to "pass them on." Several of those we have had in Napier Asylum have been inmates of those in other provinces : sometimes in more than one. There is a strong temptation to release the province of the burden, during the lucid intervals which occur in most cases, by discharging the patient, and charitably assisting him to seek his fortune elsewhere. In this respect the smaller provinces have the advantage that a lunatic must be a very hopeless case if he will return to them after he has experienced the superior advantages of the large asylums. I have, &c, H. B. Scaly, E.M., The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Inspector of Lunatic Asylums.

MAELBOEOUGH. No. 6. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Marlborough, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Blenheim, 13th May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter of 25th March, 1874, accompanied by a report on the Lunatic Asylums in New Zealand, and also of your telegram dated 12th May, 1874, requesting me to send in for Parliament the report required by section 60 of "Lunatics Act, 1868." In reply, I have the honor to state for your information that no Lunatic Asylums at present exist in the Province of Marlborough, but that it is the practice of the Provincial Government to send patients for treatment to the Asylums at Wellington, Nelson, or Canterbury, the cost of their maintenance being charged to the Province of Marlborough. I have, &c, A. P. Seymoue, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

CANTEEBUEY. No. 7. Mr. J. W. Hamilton to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Canterbury. SIE — Christchurch, 20th January, 1874. I have the honor to report that I visited Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum this day. Owing to a protracted illness, this is the first occasion on which I have been able to make an inspection since 26th August last year. 1. I found the books all in excellent order and duly written close up to date. The " case book " (section 25) contained an account of the autopsy of patient No. 24, admitted February 27, 1864 ; and the Coroner's certificate of inquest held on the body 13th September, and copy of the verdict, was produced to me. lam glad to note this compliance with my suggestions in reports of 6th August last (par. 1) and 26th August (par. 4).

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2. There were in the Asylum in all 140 patients; 94 male, 46 female. None were under restraint. Three males are under curative treatment in the building recently erected for inebriates at the north end of the grounds. 3. There is no road to this building, except partly across a very rough paddock, and partly by a lane outside the grounds. The driving distance from the old main building is thus increased to about one mile. Taken direct and within the fences, it ought not to be above half a mile. I would urge that the completion of a good road at once is a work of primary necessity. In two months hence April rains may set in very heavily, as has happened often before in early autumn, and the new road ought to have been completed, settled down, and in use before then. I think several other outdoor works ought to be postponed in preference to the making of this road. As a visitor, I should certainly be deterred from taking my own carriage to the inebriate's ward, and for a cab I should have to pay extra for the distance, for the bad road, and for going off the Asylum premises. I think it will be admitted by every one that every facility of access by wheeled vehicles should be offered to visitors who take the trouble or incur the expense of driving so far out of Christchurch either to inspect the Asylum or to see friends who are inmates of it. Another reason for urging on the immediate completion of a proper road, is that till it is made there will be too many openings in the main boundary fence, and too much facility offered to patients to leave the premises unobserved by the attendants, now that the buildings^ are so far apart. 4. The gorse forming the main boundary fence has been let grow far too long without proper trimming. In places it is dangerously overgrown for the safety of the new timber fencing that is being erected close by, at the two new buildings. Both for the sake of neatness and security against fire, I recommend that orders be issued to trim all the boundary fencing forthwith, and to cut it especially close where the new timber fencing runs near it. 5. A stack of hay has been built up close to the laundry. It is estimated at 60 tons, value £2 to £2 10s. per ton; say worth £120 to £150. I recommend that it be insured against fire as soon as possible. I suppose it would cost the Government another ss. or 10s. a ton (say £15 to £30) to replace the stack if burnt down. The hay seems to have been saved in first-rate condition. It seems to have been a mistake to stack it so near the laundry. 6. If it has not already been thought of, I suggest the desirability of insuring the new inebriates' ward, and also the several attendants' cottages, and any sheds recently erected. An addition has been made to the old buildings, viz., a new room (with a grate and new chimney) for the cook, one for the kitchen-boy, and a new provision store-room. Unless this was all done with the consent of the Insurance Company, the insurance may have become vitiated, and would require attending to afresh. 7. I think that, with reference to clause 27 of "The Lunatics Act, 1868," in each of the new buildings a plan of the lower and upper floors should be kept hung up in some conspicuous place. At the old building there is no plan yet hung up of the upper floor. 8. I again made inquiry of the Keeper and Mr. Pain, in reference to the latter's appointment as clerk, under clause 23 of the Act, but both state that he has received none up to date. I beg to suggest that the point be looked up, lest for want of a strictly literal compliance with clause 23, some important case raised in the Law Courts should break down on merely technical grounds. 9. The Keeper informed me that the tanks set up for safety against fire in the old buildings have been empty at some time since I last saw him. As I had already reported, the windmill has been placed too much to leeward of the building for the N.E. wind, which prevails for nine months out of the twelve. During the comparatively calm days of winter there has not been power to drive the sails. Hand gear might be provided for occasional use during calm weather. The risk of being without this supply ready for sudden emergencies again induces me to ask your Honor to urge on the General Government the immediate completion of the telegraphic communication between all the three main buildings at Sunnyside and the Police Barracks and Fire Brigade Office at Christchurch. The frightful loss of life at the North Ohio Asylum, mentioned in the Some News of November Ist, 1872, shows how indispensible it is to be able to bring up promptly several hundred people to assist in preventing insane inmates, rescued from the flames, from rushing back to their accustomed places in the burning building. I beg also to recommend that the sufficiency of the water supply provided by the Provincial Engineer's department be practically tested by the fire brigade at an early date. 10. A Dead House has been erected, with necessary fittings, and what seems to me, so far as I am competent to judge, proper provision for post mortem examinations. The floor, however, is of ordinary concrete, and is not standing against wear and tear. I recommend it be asphalted by a competent workman. 11. I am very glad to report that the upper floor of the new concrete building is at last occupied by about twenty-three of the convalescent female patients. Their former day-ward has become available for the convalescent male patients. The great increase of space thus gained seems to me to have produced a beneficial effect on the patients; but an increase in the number of attendants has also contributed to this result; more range can be given to the patients generally. The employment of an overseer of outdoor work has enabled the Keeper to give employment to several who were hitherto confined to the wards and airing yards, particularly to one patient (long considered dangerous), who has been one of the earliest placed under his charge, when the lunatics used to be confined in a separate ward of Lyttelton Gaol. It appeared to me that the patients generally seemed to be in better bodily health and more cheerful than I had ever observed them on former visits. 12. This improvement in the condition of the patients leads me to remark again on the astonishingly slow progress in completing the ground-floor rooms of the new concrete building. The Keeper states that the plasterers seem to come and go as they please, but that as soon as they finish their work this floor can be occupied. In the known scarcity of plasterers at present, I venture to suggest that some premium be offered for getting the plastering finished without any further interruption of the work. It is most desirable for the sake of the male patients that they should have the use of proper dormitories, which they could have as soon as the female patients are all removed over to the new ward.

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13. I understand that after this removal is effected it is proposed to enlarge the recreation hall by throwing into it some sleeping-rooms above the billiard-room. While admitting that the increased number of patients calls for an enlargement of the hall, I must express my earnest hope that your Honor will not sanction any plan by which the fullest amount of sleeping room required by the male patients shall in the least degree be curtailed when the rooms now in use by female patients are vacated by their removal to their new wards. I sincerely trust that when this removal is complete there will be no more sleeping allowed in the male day-wards. In what seems to me a question of the health of the male patients before their recreation, I think I cannot express my opinion too strongly. I think that it would be for the decided benefit of both classes of patients, that every endeavour should be made, even at the risk of a little squeezing in the large new and airy female ward, to remove every one of the female patients and leave the old building free for use of male patients entirely. With greater space, sleeping-rooms separate from day-rooms, and the present increased staff of attendants, I believe the general health of the patients will be so materially benefited that many will be able to perform valuable labour for the institution, and thus in some degree help to defray the cost of their own maintenance. I have, &c, J. W. Hamilton, His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury, Inspector, Sunnyside. Christchurch.

No. 8. Mr. J. W. Hamilton to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Canterbury. Sib,— Christchurch, 12th May, 1874. I have the honor to report that I inspected Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum this day. 1. I saw all the patients (151 in number, viz., males 101, females 50) excepting one female, out driving, and one male patient, sent into town. 2. The medical officer represents that he greatly needs for his information, when a new patient is received into his charge, the certificates which the two medical practitioners usually give to the committing Magistrate touching the patient's insanity (Lunatics Act, 1868, clause 5). Some Justices seem to consider these certificates as records of their Court, and not to be parted with, and only send up the bare order for admission. The medical officer is then left without any knowledge of the circumstances or of the previous state of health which may be supposed to have affected the patient's mind. In some special instances two or three weeks have elapsed before any decided symptoms of insanity have been noticed. 8. The information referred to is obviously so important for the medical officer to be placed in possession of before he undertakes the treatment of any lunatic, that I would urgently suggest that the General Government be requested to instruct the magistrates (or the clerks to the Bench) to append to all their orders of admission either the medical certificates referred to or copies of them. If any further evidence in detail has been given by the medical practitioners, it seems very desirable that a copy of that also should be sent up for the guidance of the medical officer at every lunatic asylum. I should state that this matter has more than once been brought to my attention by Dr. Coward in private conversations. 4. Two male patients who are violent to others are always kept apart; each in a large room in the two refractory wards, but where they can always see and converse with the other patients in the airing wards. 5. Mr. Pain informed me that he has never as yet received any formal appointment as clerk under section 23 of " The Lunatics Act, 1868." This being the case, no one is legally responsible for carrying out the clerk's duties, as prescribed by law, or punishable for neglect of them. I beg to submit that the appointment ought to be formally made out, even if Mr. Pain were not to remain permanently in it. Mr. Pain acts as clerk, head attendant, and storekeeper. 6. I met Mr. Chudley and Mr. Armstrong, the Government gardener, on the grounds, when the former produced a plan for laying out and planting the enclosure on the north side of the new female wards now building. With Mr. Armstrong, I think the plan a satisfactory one, and recommend that it be carried out. 7. It has been the practice to send the original order of admission to great distances for the indorsement of the Magistrate who signed it, to direct that the patient be discharged (clauses 71 and 72, Lunatics Act, 1868). It seems to me that such order should never leave the Keeper's hands, as it would constitute his only complete and safe answer to an action for trespass or false imprisonment, which a patient may possibly some day bring against him. The loss of an order of admission might entail great trouble and difficulty on the Keeper if required to answer any such action. Besides, under clause 56, the Inspector is to require production of all orders of admission received since his last visit. On the 2nd of last month I found one patient present, and on the register, whom I had never seen before, and who was waiting for the committing Justice's order of discharge to be received back from Timaru, indorsed on the original order of admission. The order consequently could not be produced to me in evidence that the patient was lawfully detained in the Asylum. I suggest that a printed' form be in future used for discharges, to be drawn in such form as the Provincial Solicitor may consider sufficient. 8. North House, Inebriates' Ward. —The water here is unfit to use either for drinking or washing, being covered with a white scum. Either the reservoir to the artesian is made of bad cement, or a new well should be sunk. The distance to good water is too far for the patients to fetch it in bad weather. If possible, employment ought to be found for the patients under curative treatment. One patient at present in this ward is able and willing to do carpenter's work or to copy plans. He would

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erect a shed, which is wanted, if tools and timber were provided. No doubt the other patients in this ward would be glad to assist him, and perhaps learn to be useful in rough carpentering about the place. I recommend that Mr. Seager be allowed some £15 for purchase of a tool-chest, and that, if possible, work should be found for the patient referred to from the Survey or Engineer's Office in copying plans or drawings. 9. Garden. —A garden tool-house and shed for drying seeds and vegetables and for keeping fruit is greatly needed at once, to save much loss of seeds and good vegetables. The old shed is now nearly rotten, in a tumble-down condition, and so leaky as to ruin nearly everything placed in it: it will be false economy to grudge the erection of a new one as soon as possible, before the winter rains set in. Attendants' Cottages. 10. These cottages are all too small for the attendants and their families, and all require looking to before the winter. Petrie's Cottage. —Three rooms, and small back shed separate. Eequires a porch ; is in danger of being burnt down ; when the door is opened the fire is likely to be blown out of the grate. Griffiths' Cottage. —Three rooms and shed separate ; leaks very badly at the ridge-board in all S.W. gales. Two of the rooms are then not fit to sleep in. These leaks could be stopped at a slight expense. Kinsmaun's Cottage. —Two rooms and " lean-to," built by himself. " Lean-to " requires zinc roofing : leaks badly in S.W. rain. Whitelaw's Cottage. —Three rooms. Ventilation very bad; unwholesome for so many inmates. Wraxworthf s Cottage.—Three rooms. Wants a little looking to. These cottages all want a small bit of enclosed ground round them for a garden. They look slovenly and out of keeping with the rest of establishment for want of this inexpensive improvement. Wraxworthy would have a neat and creditable garden at the entrance gate, if his place were enclosed. At present cattle destroy the plants at night, and thus at the first entering the grounds of the Asylum want of neatness meets the eye of a visitor. 11. I am glad to be able to report that the electric battery with alarm bell to the Police and Fire Brigade Stations at Christchurch will soon be in working order. The new building requires to be placed in communication with the old one and the above-named stations. If the Provincial Government will give the order, the cost, lam told, will come within the vote already taken. I beg to recommend that the telegraph wire be extended to this building, and also to the north ward at the same time. It would be very desirable to give the order for this work now that the General Government telegraphists are engaged at the Asylum. 12. Everything about the premises was in the usual satisfactory condition. I have, &c, J. W. Hamilton, Inspector, Sunnyside. His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury, Christchurch. Appendix. Number of visits made during the year ending May 30, 8. Number of patients seen, varying on each occasion from 123 to 151. Number of miles travelled, not material, Asylum being within a short distance (say two miles) of Christchurch. J. W. H., Inspector, Sunnyside.

HOKITIKA. No. 9. Sib, — Office of Inspector of Lunatic Asylums, Hokitika, 29th January, 1874. I have the honor to report as follows on the Lunatic Asylum at Hokitika, for the year ending December 31,1873 :— Although the accommodation for patients in this institution is very much better than what it formerly was, there are still several matters which need alteration and amendment. At the same time I am satisfied that the medical officer and tho Keeper have done all that they possibly could, with the means at their disposal, to render the inmates comfortable, and in each case to increase the probability of ultimate recovery. In my last report I stated that the County Government had built an Asylum on ground adjoining the Gaol Eeserve, and that the patients formerly kept in the Asylum on the Hospital Eeserves and in the Gaol had been removed to the new quarters provided for them. The experience of eighteen months affords satisfactory proof that, taken as a whole, the buildings are well suited "for the purposes of an asylum for the insane. For a considerable time the bathing accommodation was exceedingly defective, but during the past year this has been entirely remedied. There is still a want of more single rooms for patients whom it may be requisite to keep apart from the other inmates ; and the sleeping accommodation might with advantage be increased. I have also to report that no padded rooms have as yet been provided, and though up to the present time no great inconvenience has been experienced by the want of them, the occasion for their use might at any moment arise. My attention has been particularly called to this matter by tho Keeper, and it has been duly reported to the provincial authorities, and no doubt what is necessary will be done. The number of attendants on the female patients is not, in my opinion, so large as it should be. This has also been represented in the proper quarter. On the whole, however, I must report favourably both of

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the accommodation and of the attention bestowed on the patients. The situation of the Asylum is excellent, and the Keeper, Mr. Gribben, thoroughly understands his work, and, I am happy to say, evidently takes the greatest interest in it. There are various indoor amusements provided for the patients, such as cards, chess, draughts, books, &c. There is an excellent piano, and one or two of the attendants are musicians ; and a weekly dance is held in the Asylum, the patients on these occasions enjoying themselves thoroughly, and conducting themselves in an orderly manner. Out of doors there is a variety of amusements, such as bowls and quoits, and work is provided for those who like to do it. Some are employed in the gardens, some in sawing timber. One man has made himself very useful as a blacksmith. The Numbee of Patients in the Asylum on the 31st December, 1872, was— Males ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 32 Females ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 14 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 46 Eeceived during the Year ended 31st December, 1873. Males ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 Females ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 17 Dischaeged during the same period. Males ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 11 Females ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Total 13 Died during the same period. Males ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Females ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Eemaining in the Hokitika Asylum on the 31st December, 1873. Males ... ... .., ... ... ... ... ... 35 Females ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 14 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 49 The average cost of maintenance for each patient per week during the year was 17s. 9|d. I have, &c, G. G. FitzGeeald, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums for the Province of Westland. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Eetuen under Part IV., Section 60, of " The Lunatics Act, 1868." Number of visits to the Sea View Lunatic Asylum during the half-year ended 30th December, 1873 " ... ... " ... ... 4— 12 miles. Total number of patients seen during the above visits ... ... ... 196 Average number of lunatics in custody during the half-year ended as above ... 51M G. G. FitzGeeald, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums for Province of Westland.

OTAGO. No. 10. Mr. D. MacGbesoe to His Honor the Supeeintendent. Sib, — I have the honor to lay before you the report of the Dunedin Lunatic Asylum, for the year ending 31st March, 1874. I have visited the Asylum at intervals, sometimes once a month, sometimes once a fortnight: on every occasion I found all going on well. No accidents have happened, nor did I ever hear any complaints calling for investigation. The present building was from the first regarded as temporary ; but it was enlarged from time to time, as the inmates increased in number, or rather, as the provincial funds admitted of it. The result is that, at any rate since I became acquainted with the state of the Asylum, there has not been enough of room to admit of the patients taking their meals in comfort, and anything like proper classification has been impossible. I am glad, however, to say that both these defects are now in course of being removed. This week the additions recently made are ready for occupation, the patients therefore can now be classified to a greater extent than formerly, and more suitable dining accommodation will soon be available. The dormitories are airy, and are kept scrupulously clean. Taken as a whole, and

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considering the piecemeal way in which it has been extended, the building is fairly suitable for its purpose. All its capabilities are made tho most of that is possible, and, so far as I have been able to ascertain, the management and care shown in all its arrangements reflect the greatest credit on the Superintendent, Mr. Hume. There is, however, one thing which ought to be immediately attended to, i.e. the drainage. All the sewage is collected into large cesspools, whence, instead of being conveyed by a large channel, there is absolutely no outlet at all. The Town Council do not appear to think it necessary to make any provision for draining this part of the town, andT do not hesitate to say, that, but for the painstaking and ingenious methods in which Mr. Hume has utilized the sewage, great mischief would by this time have probably resulted. As it is, the soil all round the Asylum must be saturated with human excrement, for the area is limited, and the patients average 176. Another matter calling for the serious consideration of the authorities is the food provided for the patients. Any one who is familiar with the fact, knows that good food, well cooked, is of more importance to the insane than all other curative means whatever. Let for instance the bread on any day be too raw, or otherwise unsuitable, and the evil effects are at once manifested all over tho Asylum. When I became Inspector, I found the bread unfit for human food, though it is now much improved. From considering this matter, and from observing the quality of food supplied generally, I have come to the conclusion that it is idle to expect anything but evil results from the present system of getting everything by contract. I would respectfully suggest, that the proposed plan of having a farm in connection with the Asylum be entered on, with a view to grow, by the labour of the patients themselves, all the farm produce they require. I would further suggest, that all the bread and beer required be manufactured within the Asylum, as is done in similar institutions elsewhere. lam persuaded that by this means, not merely would the insane be saved from much misery, but what is also of importance, the province would be saved from much expense. The amusements of the patients are being seduously attended to by Mr. Hume, who is fully alive to their curative value. lam glad to see that a cricket ground is being got ready against the summer. Such patients as are fit for work are continually employed in improving the building and its surroundings, with the most beneficial results to themselves. I have been much struck during my visits with a circumstance which appears to me of sufficient importance to warrant me in calling attention to it, though by so doing I may seem to go beyond my province. A large proportion of the cases admitted are found to come from the gold fields. After making allowance for the peculiar circumstances and mode of living of the miners in Otago, I think it can be shown that their needlessly unvaried diet is to blame for the large number of lunatics from this class. As a rule the lunatic miner is extremely constipated, the bowels being loaded with hardened faeces. Once this is removed rapid recovery usually ensues. lam of opinion that the chief cause of this state of things is the enormous quantity of strong tea daily consumed by miners, and the entire absence of milk from their diet. Could nothing be done to remedy this by encouraging miners to settle on the land and adopt a more rational mode of life? The great evil in this, as in all similar institutions, is the accumulation of chronic harmless lunatics. In this country this evil is greatly exaggerated by the impossibility of getting families to take charge of such cases, as is so extensively done in Britain. It is therefore all the more incumbent on the authorities to provide suitable accommodation and employment for this class of patients. With regard to the books required to be kept by the Act, the only ones that are kept, owing to the peculiar circumstances of the Asylum, are the Eegister and the Inspector's Book; the Medical Journal and the Case Book are not kept. Accompanying this will be found all the requisite statistical information. D. Mac Gee gob, His Honor the Superintendent. Inspector.

TABLE I. RETURN of PATIENTS Admitted, Discharged, and Died during the Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1874.

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dumber of patients remaining in the Asylum 1st April, 1873 Admitted from Dunedin and Suburbs ... „ Invercargill „ Dunstan „ Tuapeka „ East, West, and North Taieri ,, Wakatipu „ Tokomairiro „ Hawksbury ,, Port Chalmers „ Blacks „ Oamaru Clutha „ Dunedin Hospital „ Dunedin Gaol... Males. . 123 18 6 4 6 i 2 1 5 3 8 5 1 1 0 Females. 51 8 1 2 8 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 Total. 174 26 7 6 9 2 2 2 6 3 3 5 1 4 1 Total number under treatment 179 72 251 !—H. 2.

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Table 11. Showing the Numbee of Deaths during the Year, and their Causes; also, Age at time of Death. • 1 female, aged 73 ; ten years in Asylum; cause of death, senile decay. 1 male, aged 32 ; six years one month in Asylum; cause of death, chronic inflammation of the brain. 1 female, aged 39 ; four years four months in Asylum ; cause of death, paralyis. 1 male, aged 50 ; three years eleven months in Asylum ; cause of death, chronic inflammation of the brain. 1 male, aged 18 ; two years ten months in Asylum; cause of death, epilepsy. 1 male, aged 49 ; one year six months in Asylum ; cause of death, softening of the brain. 1 male, aged 61; one year three months in Asylum ; cause of death, effusion in the brain. 1 male, aged 36 ; nine months in Asylum ; cause of death, chronic inflammation of the brain. 1 male, aged 54 ; three months in Asylum ; cause of death, dropsy. 1 male, aged 33 ; two months in Asylum ; cause of death, apoplexy. 1 male, aged 42 ; five days in Asylum; cause of death, paralysis. Total —9 males, 2 females.

TABLE III. AGES of PATIENTS admitted during the Year.

TABLE IV. OCCUPATION of those Admitted during the Year.

Discharged— Males. Females. Males. Females. Total. Cured ... ... ... 40 18 Believed ... ... ... 3 1 Died ... ... ... 9 2 — — 52 21 73 Eemaining in the Asylum 31st March, 1874 ... 127 51 178 Percentage cured on admission ... ... 75"3 „ „ on total number treated ... 23'2 „ of deaths ... ... ... ... 4'4 Daily average number for the year ... ... 176

'rom 10 to 15 years ... „ 15 to 20 „ „ 20 to 25 „ „ 25 to 30 „ „ 30 to 35 „ „ 35 to 40 „ „ 40 to 45 „ „ 45 to 50 „ „ 50 to 55 „ „ 55 to 60 „ „ 60 to 65 „ „ 65 to 70 „ Males. . 1 2 11 8 9 7 10 3 2 1 2 Femal "i 4 3 4 4 1 2 1 i les. Total 1 3 15 11 13 11 10 4 4 2 2 1 i. Totals 56 21 77

Butcher Brewers' Wives Blacksmith Coal Miner ... Clothier Custom House Officer... Cabinetmaker Contractors' Wives ... Clerks Draper Domestic Servants Mlmonger ... farmers lousekeepers jabourers Miners 'oundkeeper ... itorekeepers' Wives ... Males. 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 3 1 0 1 4 0 19 11 1 1 Females. 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 11 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 Total 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 1 11 1 4 4 19 11 1 1 1.

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TABLE V. SOCIAL CONDITION of those Admitted during the Year.

TABLE VI. EDUCATION of those Admitted during the Year.

TABLE VII. NATIONALITY of those Admitted during the Year.

TABLE VIII. RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS of those Admitted during the Year.

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lailors ihepherd Itonemason ... iaddler ihoemaker ... Cailor Waiter Warehouseman STot known ... A. . Males. J 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Females. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 r Total 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 3 Totals 56 21 77

Carried "nmarried iTidowed nknown Males. J 11 42 2 1 Females. . 12 4 4 1 Total 23 46 6 2 Totals 56 21 77

!an read and write 'an read only Ian neither read nor write Inknown Males. ] 43 7 3 3 Females. 11 7 0 3 Total. 54 14 3 6 Totals 56 21 77

England Scotland Ireland Victoria rasmania !^ew Zealand... United States 3-ermany Ltaly China Males. ] 17 22 8 1 0 2 2 1 1 2 Females. 5 8 6 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 Total 22 30 14 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 Totals 56 21 77

church of England 'resbyterian ... loman Catholic independent ... Wesleyan lebrew i>agan Jnknown Males. . 16 23 12 1 1 1 2 0 Females. 6 11 3 0 0 0 0 1 Total 22 34 15 1 1 1 2 1

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TABLE IX. LENGTH of RESIDENCE of PATIENTS residing in the ASYLUM at the end of the Year.

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

Institution opened . nder 11 years „ 10 „ 9 „ 8 „ 7 „ 6 „ 5 „ 4 „ 3 „ 2 „ 1 „ August, 18( 163. Males. 9 4 5 11 9 7 12 8 20 17 25 Females. 6 4 0 1 4 1 7 8 7 3 10 Total. 15 8 5 12 13 8 19 16 27 20 35 Totals 127 51 178

Period. Admitted. Eecoven Disch. Ml. lRGED. lelievi Died. Remaining at the end of each Year. 1 <D 9 *3 I d O 3 Ra fc£).2 * o O E 9 s > Sg 2 a a o V u B ft 3 « . c ® v eS M£ = ■3 IB d 9 M It. V. Total II. F. Total M. F. Total M. F. Total M. F. Total I I I Aug. 28 to Sept. 1863... Sept. 1863 to Sept. 1864... „ 1864 „ 1865... „ 1865 „ 1866... „ 1866 „ 1867... „ 1867 „ 1868... „ 1868 to Mar. 1869... Mar. 1869 „ 1870... „ 1870 „ 1871... „ 1871 „ 1872... „ 1872 „ 1873... „ 1873 „ 1874... 13 45 36 35 61 37 60 63 34 54 55 56 8 23 13 11 11 7 16 18 27 17 19 21 21 68 49 46 72 44 76 81 61 71 74 77 25 20 22 35 26 53 51 21 26 22 40 1 12 11 6 8 4 13 10 10 9 14 18 1 37 31 28 43 30 66 61 37 35 36 58 2 1 2 1 "a "2 i 1 4 1 4 2 1 4 2 2 4 3 7 4 6 3 5 5 5 7 12 9 i 1 3 8 5 6 3 5 6 5 8 15 11 13 30 37 45 63 71 72 79 83 104 123 127 17 18 17 21 22 25 27 33 44 49 51 51 30 48 54 66 85 96 99 112 127 153 174 178 10 37 49 62 82 92 102 105 123 143 163 176 3-4 8-2 5-0 i 43 2-3 2-9 3-3 2-9 40 6-6 4-4 4-8 54-4 63-2 ,60-9 59-7 68-1 86-8 753 60-7 50-0 48-7 75-3 4-8 42-0 30-9 28-0 311 23-2 38-4 33-9 21-4 180 160 23-2 4 "i 2 3 2 1 3 2 i Totals 549 191 740 341 122 463 15 9 24 66 9 75 3-9 58-9 25-9 Summary of Total Admissions since 1863. mary of Tola nan al Aa dmissions ion, s sin sm Percentage of Recoveries ... ... ... „ Cases Relieved „ „ Dead „ „ Remaining eved ived 626 32 101 241 I laining 1000 By Authority: Geobge Didsecrt, Government Printer, Wellington.—1871. 'rice 9d.]