THE APPOINTMENT OF AN INSPECTOR OF LUNATIC ASYLUMS, (FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO). (In continuation of Correspondence presented in 1875.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1876 Session I, H-04c

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1876. NEW ZEALAND.

THE APPOINTMENT OF AN INSPECTOR OF LUNATIC ASYLUMS, (FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO). (In continuation of Correspondence presented in 1875.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. His Honor W. Eolleston to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. (Telegram.) Christchurch, 22nd February, 1876. I tbust that the Colonial Government has taken steps to appoint an Inspector of Lunatic Asylums, and feel the necessity of external and professional advice; and that, for want of this, expenditure is constantly liable to be wasted, and improvement in patients retarded. Can you tell me whether such appointment is likely to be made shortly ? The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. W. Eolleston.

No. 2. The Hon. Mr. Bowen to His Honor W. Eolleston. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, 25th February, 1876. Eelatite to Inspector Lunatic Asylums. Steps were taken by Sir Julius Vogel, when in England, and business was left in hands of Agent-General. His Honor the Superintendent, Christchurch. C. C. Bowen.

No. 3. Extbact from Telegeam from Agent-Geneeal. London, 23rd March, 1876. Appointed experienced Inspector Lunacy; subject sanctioning; £700 salary from sailing; passage paid ; family, four adults. Peatheeston.

No. 4 The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. 7 "Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sic,— 26th July, 1876. Adverting to the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel's letter P.O. 126, dated 22nd May, 1875,* concerning the appointment of an Inspector of Lunatic Asylums in the colony, I have the honor to inform you that Dr. Frederick William Adolphus Skae, who had been appointed to the office by my predecessor, sailed for Wellington on board the ship " St. Leonards," on the 22nd instant. I am informed that Dr. Featherston selected this gentleman for appointment, after making a most careful inquiry into his qualifications and capacity, and especially having satisfied himself as to his practical ability in dealing with lunacy through the experience he had acquired as Physician to the Stirling District Asylum. I append a copy of a letter addressed to Dr. Featherston by the Secretary of the General Board of Lunacy in Scotland, testifying to the Board's willingness to certify to Dr. Skae's fitness for the office to which he has been appointed. I also enclose a list of his references and testimonials. * See Appendix, 1875, H.—2b.

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2. The long delay which has intervened in regard to this appointment, since the date of Sir' Julius Vogel's letter above referred to, will be best explained by the letter of the Commissionersln Lunacy, of the 9th September, 1875, of which I forward a copy. The Commissioners had been moved in the matter by the Colonial Office, in consequence of a letter addressed by the Hon. the Premier, during his visit to England, to Mr. Meade, the Assistant Secretary of State ; and had, in consequence, issued the enclosed circular in the month of June of last year. But, for the reasons assigned in the letter of their Secretary already mentioned, the Commissioners found it impossible to obtain a suitable candidate for the appointment. Careful personal inquiries which my predecessor subsequently instituted, but which were, under the circumstances somewhat protracted, resulted iv his selection of Dr. Skae, as was notified to the Government in his telegram of the 23rd of March last. Dr. Skae then gave the requisite notice to the Board of the Stirling Asylum of his resignation of his appointment there, and arranged to proceed to the colony this month. 3. I enclose a duplicate of the articles of agreement under which he holds his appointment, which were duly signed by him and by my predecessor. I understand that Mr. Mackrell found some difficulty in expressing, in definite legal terms, the intimation conveyed in the Hon. the Premier's letter, as quoted in the circular of the Commissioners in Lunacy, that the salary would be " from £600 to £700, with prospective increases up to £800." The salary was, as his telegram already referred to has informed you, finally fixed by my predecessor, subject to your sanction, at £700; and it was his desire that the Government should be further informed that Dr. Skae had been appointed with the additional understanding that his salary should, according to the terms of Sir J. Vogel's letter, and subject to such arrangements as the Government may from time to time appoint, be ultimately raised to £800. Having regard to the term " actual expenses out to New Zealand," in the Hon. the Premier's letter to Mr. Meade, I have, in addition to passages for himself and family to the colony, allowed Dr. Skae travelling expenses and cost of carriage of luggage from Stirling to London, amounting to a sum of about £17. I have, Ac, "W. Tyrone Power, Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 4. Mr. W. Forbes to the Agent-General. Sic, — General Board of Lunacy, Edinburgh, 14th March, 1876. As the Board understand that Dr. F. Skae, of the Stirling District Asylum, is a candidate for the office of Medical Inspector of Asylums in New Zealand, I am instructed to say that the Commissioners will be glad to answer any inquiries you may think fit to make as to Dr. Skae's fitness for this appointment. I have, &c, "W. Forbes, I. E. Featherston, Esq., Agent-General of New Zealand, Secretary. 7, "Westminster Chambers.

Enclosure 2 in No. 4. List of References and Testimonials in favour of Frederick "W. A. Skae, M.D., St. And., and F.R.C.S.E., Medical Superintendent of the District Asylum for the Counties of Stirling, Dumbarton, Linlithgow, and Clackmannan, at Larbert, Stirlingshire, applicant for the appointment of Medical Inspector of Asylums in New Zealand. I.— References. General Board of Lunacy for Scotland, through William Forbes, Esq., Secretary, Edinburgh, or individually to Sir John Don Wauchope, Bart., Chairman of the Board. Sir James Coxe, M.D., Medical Commissioner. Arthur Mitchell, M.D., Medical Commissioner. ll.— Testimonials. From Chairman and members of the Stirling District Board of Lunacy; from the Secretary to the Board, and the Chaplain to the Asylum:— No. 1. James Johnstone, Esq., of Alva, Chairman of the Board, and member of the Visiting Committee. No. 2. Thomas Chalmers, Esq., of Longcrof t, member of the Visiting Committee. No. 3. Admiral Sir James Hope, G-.C.8., member of the Visiting Committee. No. 4. J. Murray Gartshore, Esq., of Eevelston, formerly of Gartshore, and member of the Visiting Committee. No. 5. H. Fletcher Campbell, Esq., of Boquhan, member of the Visiting Committee, formerly Chairman of the Board. No. 6. T. A. Hog, Esq., of Newliston, member of the Building Committee. No. 7. Bobert Campbell, Esq., Secretary and Treasurer to the Board, and Procurator Fiscal of the County. No. 8. Bey. John McLaren, Chaplain to the Asylum.

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111. From Physicians who have made insanity a special subject of study : — No. 9. Henry Maudsley, M.D., London, Professor of Medical Jurisprudence in University College; author of various works on Insanity; late President Medico-Psychological Association. No. 10. Thomas Laycock, M.D., F.E.C.P.E., and Professor of Practice of Medicine and Medical Psychology, University of Edinburgh ; author of " Mind and Brain," &c, &c. No. 11. W. T. Gairdner, M.D., F.E.C.P.E., &c, Professor of Practice of Physic in the University of Glasgow. No. 12. Douglas McLagan, M.D.,F.R.C.P.E.,&c, Professor of Medical Jurisprudence, University of Edinburgh. No. 13. "W. E. Sanders, M.D., &c, Professor of Pathology in the University of Edinburgh. IV. Prom Medical Superintendents of Asylums in Scotland : — No. 14. James C. Howden, M.D., Medical Superintendent, Eoyal Lunatic Asylum, Montrose. No. 15. Thomas S. Clouston, M.D., F.E.C.P.E., Lecturer on Insanity, Edinburgh Medical School; Co-Editor "Journal of Mental Science;" Medical Superintendent of the Royal Edinburgh Asylum. No. 16. David Tellowlees, M.D., &c, Lecturer on Insanity, Glasgow Medical School; Medical Superintendent of the Eoyal Asylum for the Insane, Glasgow. No. 17. Robert Jamieson, M.A., M.D., formerly Lecturer on Practice of Medicine and Medical Jurisprudence, at King's College, Aberdeen; Medical Superintendent of the Eoyal Lunatic Asylum, Aberdeen. No. 18. James Eorie, M.D., Medical Superintendent of the Eoyal Lunatic Asylum, Dundee. No. 19. Lauder Lindsay, M.D., P.E.S.E., Medical Superintendent of the Eoyal Asylum, Perth. No. 20. Thomas Aitken, M.D., Medical Superintendent, District Asylum, Inverness. No. 21. ~W. W. Ireland, M.D., author of various works; Medical Superintendent of the Scottish Institution for Idiots, Larbert. No. 22. Alexander Eobertson, M.D., Physician and Superintendent, Town's Hospital and City Parochial Asylum, Glasgow. No. 23. S. Grierson, M.E.C.S., Medical Superintendent, District Asylum, Melrose. No. 24. James Butherford, M.D., E.E.C.P.E., Medical Superintendent, Barony Parochial Asylum, Lenzie, Glasgow. No. 25. John Batty Tuke, M.D., P.E.C.P.E., Morrisonian Lecturer on Insanity, College o£ Physicians, Edinburgh; Physician and Proprietor of Saughton Hall Private Asylum, Edinburgh. No. 26. David Brodie, M.D., late Superintendent Scottish Institution for Imbeciles. In England. No. 27. P. Maury Deas, M.B.and M.S., London, Medical Superintendent of the Cheshire County Asylum, Macclesfield, Cheshire. No. 28. Thomas Brushfield, M.D., Medical Superintendent, County Asylum, Brookwood, Surrey. No. 29. James Sherlock, M.D., F.E.C.S.E., Medical Superintendent, County Asylum, Worcester. No. 30. E. H. P. "Wickham, F.E.C.S.E., Lecturer on Insanity, Durham Medical School; Medical Superintendent, Borough Lunatic Asylum, Newcastle-on-Tyne. No. 31. George Hearder, M.D., Medical Superintendent, Joint Counties Asylum, Carmarthen. No. 32. Arthur Strange, M.D., Medical Superintendent, Salop and Montgomery County Asylum, Shrewsbury. No. 33. J. 11. Paul, M.D., F.E.C.P.E., F.R.C.S., Physician and Proprietor, Camberwell House Asylum, London. No. 34. H. Hayes Newington, M.R.C.S., Physician and Proprietor, Ticehurst Private Asylum, Sussex. No. 35. John Toung, M.D., Professor of Natural History, University of Glasgow, formerly Assistant Physician of the Royal Edinburgh Asylum.

Enclosure 3 in No. 4. Mr. T. Mabtist to the Agent-Genebal. Office of Commissioners in Lunacy, 19, Whitehall Place, S.W., Sic,— 9th September, 1875. I am directed, by the Commissioners in Lunacy, to inform you that their efforts to find a person whom they could recommend for appointment to the Inspectorship of Asylums in New Zealand have not been attended with success. The few persons who have sought the appointment through the Commissioners have been gentlemen of too limited experience in insanity; and it is clear to this Board that fit and proper persons for the office could only be tempted to leave this country and accept the post by much higher offers of remuneration. The Commissioners are of opinion that the Inspectorship should be made worth the acceptance of a gentleman from the class of Medical Superintendents of county or borough asylums. It will now only attract the notice of Assistant Medical Officers, little qualified for the duties of such aa Inspectorship. An advertisement in the medical journals might be useful. I am, &c, Thos. Maetdc, Dr. Featherston. (for the Secretary).

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Enclosure 4 in No. 4. NEW ZEALAND. Inspectorship op Lunatic Asylums, etc Office of Commissioners in Lunacy, 19, Whitehall Place London, S.W. (Confidential.) June, 1875. The Commissioners in Lunacy are informed by the Colonial Office that the Government of NewZealand are desirous of obtaining an officer to attend to matters in the colony relating to the care and treatment of lunatics. The following extract from an official letter from Sir Julius Vogel, head of the New Zealand Administration, explains the principal conditions of the office: — " The duties of the proposed Inspector in New Zealand will be —To see that the various provisions of the law are carried out; to report from time to time upon the condition of the several asylums ; and to aid the Government in such measures as may be found necessary to promote the care and proper treatment of lunatics. He must be a medical man; and he would not be at liberty to practice his profession in the colony. " The salary would be from £600 to £700, with prospective increases up to £800; but lam not at liberty to promise any pension, as the question of pensions for prolonged service is in a very undecided state at present in New Zealand. "As far as permancy of office goes, lam willing to guarantee (say) a three years' engagement; but, supposing the officer to prove suitable, I see no reason to doubt his continuing to hold the appointment. " I should be willing to pay the officer's actual expenses out to New Zealand ; and if the engagement were terminated at the end of three years, I would undertake also to pay his expenses back to England, should he desire to return. Salary would commence from the date of arrival in New Zealand. "We are, of course, anxious to obtain a good officer. He should have considerable experience and knowledge of the treatment of lunatics. He should possess more than ordinary ability, so that he might carry with him a prestige that would give to his recommendations, and to his communications with medical men, weight and authority." Gentlemen of the medical profession wishing to become candidates should put themselves in communication with the undersigned. C. S. Perceval,

• Enclosure 5 in No. 4. Articles of Agreement. These Articles of Agreement entered into this lOth day of May, 1876, between His Excellency the Most Honorable George Augustus Constantine, Marquis of Normanby, Earl of Mulgrave, Viscount Normanby, and Baron Mulgrave of Mulgrave, in the County of York, and in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, and Baron Mulgrave of New Ross, in the County of Wexford, in the Peerage of Ireland; a Member of Her Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council, and Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George ; the Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same (hereinafter called "the Governor"), of the one part, and Frederick William Adolphus Skae, of the Stirling District Asylum, M.D., of the other part, WITNESS that, for the considerations hereinafter appearing, the Governor for himself separately and his successors in office, Governors and Commanders-in-Chief for the time being in and over the said colony (each such successor for the time being and also the Government for the time being of the said colony being hereby declared to be included in the word " Governor " whenever it hereafter occurs, unless such meaning shall be inconsistent with the context), doth hereby for and on behalf of the said colony, so far as the matters hereinafter contained are to be observed and performed on the part of the Governor of New Zealand, agree with the said Frederick "William Adolphus Skae, his executors and administrators, and the said Frederick William Adolphus Skae, for himself his executors and administrators, doth hereby, so far as the matters hereinafter contained are to be observed and performed on his and their part, agree with the Governor and his successors, for and on behalf of the said colony, in manner following, that is to say, — 1. The said Frederick William Adolphus Skae is to enter the service of the New Zealand Government as an Inspector of Lunatic Asylums in New Zealand, and is diligently and faithfully to employ the whole of his time in such service ; and is not, during his engagement, to act professionally for any person or persons whomsoever, or engage in private practice on his own account, or otherwise be concerned directly or indirectly in any trade or business. 2. The said Frederick William Adolphus Skae is to forthwith proceed direct to Wellington, in New Zealand, and immediately upon his arrival at Wellington is to report himself to the Governor. 3. The said Frederick William Adolphus Skae is in all things and in all respects to obey perform and fulfil the lawful orders, commands, and directions of the Governor, and of any superior officer for the time being duly appointed. 4. The said Frederick William Adolphus Skae is to see that the various provisions of the law with reference to lunatics and Lunatic Asylums in the colony are carried out, and to report from time to time upon the state and condition of the several Lunatic Asylums and the inmates thereof, and to render all assistance in his power to the Government in initiating and carrying out such measures as may from time to time be found necessary to promote the care and proper treatment and supervision of lunatics. 5. The Government of New Zealand will pay the cost of the passage of the said Frederick William Adolphus Skae and his family, consisting of not more than six adults, from London to New Zealand, and pay him a salary at the rate of £700 per annum during the continuance of his engagement, such

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salary lo commence from t;ie date of his leaving London direct for Ihe polony, and to lie paid by such equal periodical payments as are usual in the colony for olficia! salaries. And tho Government are also to pay him the fair and reasonable usual sums allowed for travelling expenses within the colony whilst engaged in the business of the Government. 0. The said Frederick William Adolphus Skae is not to bo entitled to any payment for extra services ; and iv the event of the Government making liim any extra payment, the same is to be considered as a gratuity only. 7. The said Frederick William Adolphus Skae is, within seven days after the expiration of each calendar mouth, to transmit by the most ready course to the Governor a statement of all his claims and demands upon the Government for travelling and other expenses up to the end of each calendar month respectively ; and if such claim be not so furnished, or any item or items be omitted therefrom, he is to lose all claim and demand whatsoever upon the Government iv respect of such claim or any omitted item or items. 8. Either party may determine and put an end to this engagement at tbe expiration of three years from the time of the commencement of the said salary, or at any time afterwards, by giving to the other six months' previous notice in writing, signed by the party giving such notice, or by the Honorable the Colonial Secretary for the time being, if such notice shall be given to the said Frederick William Adolphus Skae. 9. In case this engagement shall be determined and put an end to at or before the expiration of the said period of three years (other than and except as mentioned in clause No. 11), tbe Governor will pay the passage money of the said Frederick William Adolphus Skae and his family, not exceeding six adults, back to England, in the event of his forthwith leaving the colony for England. 10. This engagement shall cease and determine if the said Frederick William Adolphus Skae shall, in the opinion of the Governor, become incapacitated for the performance of his duties on account of illness or accident. 11. If the said Frederick AVilliam Adolphus Skae shall at any time or times neglect or refuse to perform, abide by, or comply with the terms of this engagement, or any of the duties required by him, or all or any of the orders of the Governor or the officers for the time being duly authorized in that behalf, the Governor may, by a notice to that effect, in writing, to be given to the said Frederick William Adolphus Skae, immediately determine and put an end to this engagement, notwithstanding anything hereinbefore contained. 12. No individual responsibility shall be incurred by the Governor or by Isaac Earl Featherston, the Agent-General for the Government of New Zealand, by whom, on behalf of the Governor, it is intended that these presents shall be signed. In testimony whereof the said Isaac Earl Featherston has signed these presents in his name, but on behalf of the said George Augustus Constantine, Marquis of Normanby ; and the said Frederick William Adolphus Skae hath hereunto signed his name. Feeds. W. A. Skae. By Authority : George Didsbuky, Government Printer, Wellington. —1876. • Price 6d.]