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Pages 1-20 of 22

Pages 1-20 of 22

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Pages 1-20 of 22

Pages 1-20 of 22

H.—6

1886. NEW ZEALAND.

LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF THE COLONY (REPORT ON) FOR 1885.

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

The Inspector of Asylums to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — Lunacy Department, 15th March, 1886. I have the honour to present my fourth annual report upon lunacy as it affects this colony. At the end of the year 1881, there were 1,452 persons of unsound mind detained in the various asylums. On the 31st December, 1885, the total had risen to 1,523; an increase of 71 insane persons under care and treatment. The following- figures will show that the above statement is a gratifying one, when regard is had to the annual increase of the general population. Increase of insane under detention. Year 1882, 106; year 1883, 93; year 1884, 77 ; and year 1885, 71. Thus, whereas at the end of the year 1884, we had 1 lunatic to every 390 persons; the proportion had diminished at the close of last year to 1 in 401 of the population, which was estimated by the Registrar-General at 582,425. In England and Wales the ratio was, for the year 1885, lin 339. The admissions during the year 1885 into the various asylums, numbered 454. The great increase here shown is more apparent than real, being due to the transfer of a large number of lunatics from one establishment to another less crowded. The same cause will account for the large number of discharges, which reached the total of 288. It also affects the death-rate and the percentage of recoveries. Table op Tbansfers. Males. Females. Total From Napier to Wellington ... ... ... 17 4 21 From Wellington to Seacliff ... ... ... 30 0 30 From Christchurch to Seacliff ... ... ... 0 22 22 From Ashburn Hall to Seacliff ... ... ...0 1 1 From Seacliff to Ashburn Hall ... . . ... 1 0 1 _48_ 27 75 The insane under detention on the 31st December, 1885, were thus placed : —■ Males. Females. Total. Auckland ... ... ... ... 231 116 347 Christchurch ... ... ... ... 209 109 318 Seacliff 292 158 450 Hokitika 69 32 101 Napier ... ... ... ... ... 4 1 5 Nelson ... ... ... ... ... 63 38 101 Wellington ... ... ... ... 101 81 182 Ashburn Hall (licensed house) ... ..12 7 19 981 542 1,583 At Auckland the over-crowding is becoming positively disgraceful. In my last report I directed attention to the fact that 320 patients were occupying buildings intended for 217 I—H. 6.

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only. Twenty-seven additional lunatics are now under detention there, making a total of 347. The cubic space available for each person in the dormitories averages about 350 ft. The funds necessary for enlarging the establishment were, as usual, voted last session by the Legislature, yet nothing whatever has been done in the matter. The rooms occupied by a number of the female lunatics are a disgrace to the colony, and should either be swept away or devoted to their original purpose —that of workshops. Five of the single rooms resemble fowl-houses in all respects but the roosts. The only window in each of them is an aperture made by knocking out a brick from the back wall. " Shakedowns " are in use in corridors and day-rooms. The probable effects of an epidemic of erysipelas or other infectious disorder under such unfavourable surroundings are terrible to contemplate. It is surprising to me that the citizens of Auckland should allow their local asylum to be so far behind all the others in the colony in matters of primary importance for the successful treatment of the insane. Should works for the enlargement of the establishment be put in hand immediately, they cannot be completed for a considerable period; and, meanwhile, where are the 30 additional lunatics, who may be expected to be brought here during the next twelvemonths, to be housed ? This difficulty will not be for me to solve, but lam not the less concerned at leaving such a legacy to my successor. At Sunnyside Asylum, Christchurch, the number of patients accommodated has been reduced from 318 to 318, through the abandonment of certain old buildings unfit for further use until remodelled. The available accommodation at this asylum is entirely filled. After many and great delays an addition of some twenty single rooms is about to be made to the new buildings. This will be the only instalment of the central block which I have been able to persuade the authorities to carry out, although the plans for the whole were authorized some three years ago, and the funds voted by the Legislature. Seacliff Asylum, including the wooden buildings called the temporary asylum, can only accommodate the patients likely to be committed to it during the present year. It would be impracticable to make any further transfers of patients thither. Hokitika Asylum contains the full number for which it is intended. Napier, supposed to be closed as an asylum, has 5 lunatics within its walls. Nelson Asylum is quite full. The small additions now being made to its dormitories will only relieve overcrowding, and will not warrant the addition of any more patients. At Wellington a few empty beds are available, but these will soon be occupied. Ashburn Hall (licensed house) can yet accommodate a good many additional lunatics. Suggestions for Increased Accommodation 7. A detached building for female patients should be immediately erected at Auckland, to be followed by the remodelling of the central block, and the erection of a wing for males. The old buildings at Sunnyside, Christchurch, should be put in thorough repair; the single rooms and objectionable portions of the back premises swept away, and the whole converted into an auxiliary asylum, for working' male patients and others of the harmless class. The buildings arc very suitable for this iise, and a good deal of superior accommodation might be here provided at small cost. This rearrangement would necessitate the immediate erection of the kitchen and store portion of the central block. At Seacliff certain portions, now uninhabitable from damp and other causes, should be put into proper sanitary condition. The erection of a house for the Medical Superintendent would also release certain rooms, which could be occupied by additional patients. Napier Asylum should be j^remptorily closed. Its employment as a receptacle for remanded persons I regard as an abuse rather than a benefit. Lunatics might be sent to Wellington by steamer, and, later on, to Porirua by railway. The addition of a good day-room to the back of the Wellington Asylum and certain other small alterations Mould enable twenty additional female patients to be received here. These could be employed to advantage. The male division does not admit of enlargement with any prospect of good results, as it would be difficult to find the men suitable occupation. At Porirua, however, the Government owns an estate which possesses great advantages as a site for an asylum, and on which a colony of working male lunatics might be established, in connection with the Wellington Asylum, at a cost of a . few hundred pounds only. The site is certainly superior to any of those now occupied by asylums in the colony; and, being situated on a line of railway it will be readily reached both from the Napier and the Taraliaki Districts, The soil is good, and at present carries a large number of sheep and cattle,

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as it has done for years past. There is a large and never-failing supply of good water, which can readily be stored at a considerable elevation. Brick-earth exists in abundance, and shingle for forming roads is obtainable from the Porirua Stream running through a portion of the estate. Firewood sufficient for several years' use is available. The buildings can be erected so as to have a proper aspect and a good view, and to be, with their airingcourts, quite screened from the public road. The patients might be employed at first in cultivating certain portions and forming roads and paths, as well as in clearing away the bush and stumps of trees; a ready market for all agricultural and garden produce not required at the Wellington Asylum being found in the city. I hold the opinion that immense benefit would result from the addition of such resources to the Wellington Asylum in the way of suitable employment for its lunatics, combined with change of scene and air; and I can only regret that, although the Legislature has more than once voted the necessary finances, the Government has not seen fit to put the works in hand for establishing an auxiliary asylum in so excellent a situation. The .€SOO a year spent on some five patients and a few remanded persons at Napier would be better devoted to such a purpose as this, for which it would be found ample, as the Porirua establishment would be, in great measure, selfsupporting. In view of the great and urgent demand for additional accommodation for lunatics, it is a matter for regret that Ashburn Hall (private asylum) should still have so many vacant beds, and it may be well for the Government, to consider whether, under the pi'essing circumstances now existing, Magistrates might not be instructed to commit to this establishment those whose friends arc able to pay the reasonable charges here demanded. Habitual drunkards also might be sent to Ashburn Hall, and the illegality of confining them in the same wards with lunatics thereby avoided. These suggestions will, of course, apply only to those portions of the colony readily accessible to Duncdin. Hemands Pending Medical Examination. It is very satisfactory to note that the number of remands fell from G3 in the year 1884, to 11 in the year 1885. Napier, as usual, shows a large proportion of this number, seven persons having been admitted into the asylum there under this category. The public attention which I have persistently drawn to a mode of committal to asylums so liable to abuse as to be a positive danger, and which often involved great hardship, by stigmatizing as lunatics, persons who were merely suspected as such by a Magistrate, and who were not examined at all by medical practitioners, has at length borne fruit ; but the matter will require constant watchfulness, as the power given to Magistrates by the Lunatics Act of 1882 is merely in abeyance, and still exists as before. Habitual Drunkards. There have been eight committals to asylums under the clauses of the Act relating to habitual drunkards. To Seaeliff, 1 male and 1 female ;to Christchurch, 2 females and 1 male ; to Ashburn Hall, 1 male and 1 female ;to Nelson, 1 female. Great difficulty occurs in complying with the requirement of the statute —that these persons should be placed in a building, or part of a building, not occupied by lunatics. In fact, no special accommodation exists for them in any of the public asylums; and, at Nelson, association with lunatics could not be avoided. If proper accommodation does not exist in an asylum, the committal of habitual drunkards to that establishment, being certainly illegal, should be prohibited. It should be noted that habitual drunkards and remanded persons are not included in the numbers given above, showing the population of each asylum j nor are they taken into account in calculating the cost of maintenance of luuatics. Admissions. During the year 1885, 454 patients were admitted into the various asylums. Of these, 294 were males and 160 females ; 63 of the whole number had been previously admitted into the same asylum. The number of admissions by no means indicate a corresponding number of new cases of insanity, as it includes many who were simply transferred from one establishment to another. These transfers numbered, during the year 1885, 75. Discharges. There were 288 patients discharged during the year; 171 of these are classed as recoveries, 15 as relieved, and 102 as not improved. In the last-named category are included a large number of transfers to other asylums.

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Deaths. 73 males and 22 females, in all 95, died during the year 1885. No death occurred from any infectious disease. One man, who had committed two murders, succeeded in strangling himself by attaching a piece of linen to the sash-cord of an ill-constructed shutter in his single room. An epileptic male patient was drowned by accidentally falling into a shallow stream during a fit. A third male lunatic, during a struggle with a fellow patient, sustained a fatal rupture of the kidney. All the other deaths were from ordinary causes, not requiring comment. The death-rate, calculated upon the total number treated in all the asylums, was 4-98 per cent.; and, upon the average number resident, G'36. The proportion of deaths to admissions (including transfers) was 2092 per cent. These figures compare favourably with those of the previous year. Causes op Insanity. Intemperance is given as the cause in 45 of the admissions; but must be looked upon, in many of these, as a result rather than a factor of mental disease. Hereditary predisposition and previous attacks account for 55 of the admissions; the number being, in reality, much larger than here stated from these causes. Cost of Maintenance. The Asylum Superintendents collected during the year 1885 the sum of £4,408 2s. lOd. for maintenance of lunatics. This, in the face of defective legislation, is, in my opinion, a very creditable amount, though somewhat less than in the previous year. Produce and other articles sold realized £403 16s. Gd. The amount of £186 ss. lOd. was earned at the Wellington Asylum by contracting to perform the laundry-work for the adjoining hospital. This sum represents only the work done during a portion of the year. The average cost per annum of each patient throughout the colony was in the year 1885 £24 ss. 3|d., after deducting repayments for maintenance, &c. This sum is less than that of the previous year by the sum of £2 3s. 4|d., and must be regarded as very satisfactory. Rigid economy is practised at all the asylums, but is not allowed to interfere with a liberal dietary and other matters absolutely necessary for the well-being of the insane. The expenditure on surgery and dispensary amounted only to £144 3s. Id. during the twelve months; while wines, spirits, ale, and porter cost only £92 4s. Bd. The authorities of some of our colonial hospitals might well take a hint from these last figures, for feeble and helpless lunatics might be supposed to require alcoholic stimulants equally with the majority of hospital patients. I am perfectly satisfied, however, from experience in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic treatment, that they suffer nothing from the comparative deprivation in this respect which they undergo in our asylums. There is a decrease in the cost of maintenance of the patients in all the asylums, with the exception of those at Napier and Wellington, in which some increase has occurred. In the first-named establishment the prodigious increase of £58 7s. 3d. per head is to be noted. As long as the asylum exists the present staff must be retained—namely, DeputyInspector, Visiting Medical Officer, Superintendent, and two attendants—man and wife. The cost is, of course, shared by the " remanded persons," who cannot be included in the returns as lunatics, never having been so certified; but the advantage of transferring such a disproportionate expenditure to a new establishment at Porirua ought to need no arguing. At Wellington the increase of 15s. sfd. per head is due to a diminished number of patients, the result of transferring a large party of males to Seacliif, and to no corresponding diminution in the staff. The vacancies will speedily be filled again. At this establishment a great deal of work has recently been done in the way of repairs and alterations, the cost of which has been defrayed out of the Lunacy vote, instead of the Public Works vote, which could not be drawn upon for the purpose. The increase is thus more apparent than real. It is satisfactory to find, as regards the asylums taken collectively, that in every item, except one, the estimated expenditure for the year was not reached. The exceptcd item was exceeded through the repayment by the Government to the relatives of a female lunatic of a large sum collected in past years for her maintenance. Over this repayment I could have no control.

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Legislation. During the last session of Parliament I drew up a number of suggestions for the amendment of the Lunatics Act of 1882, which is, in many respects, a very defective one. These suggestions are with you, no effect having yet been given to them. Defective " orders of admission " and " medical certificates," though not so numerous as in the previous years, have caused much trouble and some expense to the department. Deputy Inspectors. My best thanks are again due to the Deputy Inspectors for valuable assistance willingly rendered. No successor has yet been appointed to the late Mr. Thomas Macffarlane, in Auckland, nor has there been for a considerable period any Deputy Inspector for Hokitika. The result has been additional labour thrown upon myself, with inconvenience and delays in the matters of releasing- patients on probation and accepting tenders for supplies. Asylums. Auckland. The number of patients in this establishment on the Ist of January, 1885, was 320— namely, 215 males and 105 females. During the year 77 were admitted—s3 males and 24 females, 8 of the males and 6 of the females having previously been inmates of the asylum. The total number treated was 407, namely —268 males and 139 females. Of these, 19 males and 17 females were discharged as "recovered;" 2 males and 3 females as "relieved" or " not improved;" 16 males and 3 females died; leaving at the end of the year 231 males and 116 females : total, 347. A vast deal requires to be done at this establishment in order to render it worthy of its name as an asylum for the insane. A new building for females is the most pressing want. Additional accommodation for males might be provided at the auxiliary asylum by erecting single rooms, and using some of the superfluous day-space for dormitories. The central block requires remodelling, as previously pointed out. The drying-closet in laundry wants reconstruction. Sanitary arrangements require much attention. The water-supply running to waste on the estate would, if utilized, soon repay the cost of the necessary pumping-machinery and storage-tanks. A large annual sum can be saved under this heading. The portion of land rented from the Education Department should be exchanged for a portion of an asylum reserve elsewhere in Auckland. In addition, new farm buildings are required, and also a decent mortuary and a coal-store. I visited this asylum on the 6th, 9th, 17th, 22nd, 27th, and 31st October, the 3rd, 6th, 10th, 11th, and 13th November, 1885, and also on the 11th March. Dr. Alexander Young, who had faithfully and zealously discharged his duties as superintendent for some years, surrounded by many difficulties, and armed with very imperfect appliances, died in October, 1885, after an illness of some duration. I was present at the time, and had testimony from all quarters o£ the great esteem in which he was held both by his patients and his acquaintances. He was succeeded on the Ist January, 1886, by Dr. James Young, who gives every promise of becoming a worthy successor to his brother, having already made himself quite conversant with all the details of his work. The following are copies of my entries in the Inspector's book : — 7th November, 1885.—My half-yearly inspection of the Whau Asylum commenced on the 6th October last, since which date I have repeatedly visited the establishment, seen every patient, examined all books and documents, and perused a number of letters written by patients, but detained from the post. I have also condemned a quantity of clothing and other articles which had become unserviceable. An unusual demand has been made upon my time and attention, for the following reasons: Firstly, the appointment of deputy-inspector, held by the late Mr. Thomas Macffarlane, has not yet been filled up. Secondly, on my arrival in Auckland, I found, to my great regret, that Dr. Young was suffering from an advanced form of Bright's disease, which would certainly have a speedy and fatal ending. Immediate arrangements were made for the attendance at the asylum daily of a medical practitioner from Auckland, and I felt it incumbent upon myself to attend to such matters of routine and working detail as could not properly be deemed within his scope. Dr. Young died in my presence on the 22nd October, and I had the opportunity of finding how deeply he was respected and beloved by his staff and by his neighbours. On the occasion of my numerous visits to the asylum I have never once found him absent from his post. For nearly seven years he devoted all his energies to the welfare of his patients, under difficult and disheartening surroundings, which would have damped the ardour of many a man not weighted with an insidious and debilitating disease, and with a very inadequate salary, which had not been increased since he first took office under the Government.

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The general health of the asylum inmates is very good; only one or two are confined to bed, and their ailments call for no special remark. There was a remarkable freedom from noise and excitement during my several visits. One or two patients recently admitted required to be secluded for short periods, but I witnessed no other form of restraint. All were clean and suitably clothed. The bedding I found to be in good order, and a number of new bedsteads had just been provided for use in the single rooms of the male division and elsewhere. The number of patients on the register to-day is 223 males (including 2 absent on probation), 111 females (including 1 absent on probation): total, 334. Since my visit in February last, an increase of 20 patients has taken place. The asylum affords proper accommodation for 217 only, and the over-crowding which prevails is very disastrous in its effects, and is almost daily becoming worse. The airing-courts are crowded with patients who ought to be employed, did proper workshops exist; and some of the accommodation on the female side is absolutely disgraceful in its badness, the single rooms having the appearance of whitewashed fowlhouses. I never speak of the Auckland Asylum but with feelings akin to shame. Compared with the other colonial establishments it has a poverty-stricken appearance, reminding one forcibly of a bad English workhouse in olden times. A proper percentage of recoveries is not to be looked for with such surroundings, nor is such neglect conducive to economy. A new building for females should be put in hand without one day's delay. Plans are long since prepared for this addition, which should be followed by a remodelling and enlargement of the administrative (or central) block, and by the erection of additional wards and workshops for male patients. A new mortuary is badly needed, the present wooden shed being very rotten and accessible to rats. Additional shelter is also wanted in the male airing-court, where a "lean-to" roof might be erected along one of the brick walls at small cost. Repairs are badly needed in some parts of the asylum. It is scarcely credible or creditable that the drying-closet erected in the new laundry some years ago—in fact, before I took office as Inspector—has never yet been able to bo used. Bepeatedly has attention been called to this matter, which causes grave and increasing inconvenience in bad weather, and which certainly might be considered to be within the capability of the Public Works Department to remedy. The day-room No. 1 (female division), with its adjoining dormitory, lavatory, and water-closet, very badly requires whitewashing and painting; and the passage-walls on the way to the laundry should also be painted where the cement has been repaired. I would again point out that the bath-rooms and closets of No. 2 (female ward) are, by their position and bad ventilation, unlit for use. They should be rebuilt elsewhere. The female attendants' mess-room also requires repairs and renovation. The store-room is devoid of proper shelves, bins, and fittings, which renders it impossible to keep it in an orderly condition. The imperfect or faulty construction of the shutters in the single-room windows led very recently to a suicide. I have recommended that ten of these in each division be altered so as to enclose the sash-cord, and prevent its being used for purposes of strangulation. It is satisfactory to turn away from this overcrowded and defective building, and inspect the auxiliary asylum, where ample space exists for the 63 inmates, and where everything is bright and cheerful. The attendant in charge, Mr. White, deserves great credit for the admirable order in which the establishment is kept, down to its smallest details. One matter hero calls for remedy, a defect in the water-supply rendering one of the bath-rooms useless. This should be at once put right. Some nice flower-gardens are being formed about this building, and also well-turfed grass plots. Outside the asylum I note that great improvement has taken place in the kitchen-garden, which has also been materially enlarged since the services of the old gardener were dispensed with. Mr. Boyd, the steward, appears also to have the farm well in hand, but is hampered by the want of decent farm-yard and buildings. I find that about 140 male patients and 73 females are regularly employed. Divine service (at the auxiliary building) is attended by about 76 men and 30 women. Mr. Hardy, the asylum head-attendant, has had his duties and responsibilities materially increased during the illness and since the death of the late Medical Superintendent, and has been at his post night and day. I recommend him to the favourable consideration of the Colonial Secretary. Christchurch. The number of patients on the Ist January, 1885, was 348 —221 males and 127 females. During the year 39 males and 18 females were admitted for the first time, and 6 males and 8 females readmitted. The total number under care was 419, viz., 2GG males and 153 females. Of these, there were discharged as "recovered" 19 males and 19 females ; 28 males and 23 females were discharged as "relieved " or "not improved ; " while 10 males and 2 females died. At the end of the year there remained in tlie asylum 209 males and 109 females : total, 318. The works required at this asylum arc as follow : The erection of the centre block. The remodelling of the old buildings so as to convert them into an auxilary asylum for harmless putients, and those employed in out-door labour : all the objectionable parts in the rear should be demolished, and four new single-rooms erected. The provision of a liberal and permanent water supply : great trouble has occurred of late through want of adequate pumping apparatus: temporary arrangements became urgently necessary, and have been

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carried out. The enlargement of the female refractory ward, which is dangerously overcrowded : this matter has been agreed to long since, hut not acted upon. The enclosure of the estate with a proper fence. The additional land, purchased from the Church-property Trustees, subject to the provisions of an existing lease, will not be required for asylum purposes until the expiration of the said lease. Any money spent in purchasing the lease would be wasted. When the property falls in, the public road through the asylum estate should be diverted without delay. I visited this asylum on the sth January, and Ist, 2nd, and 4th February, 1886, leaving the following remarks in the Inspector's book : — 4th February, 1886.—0n the sth January last, I paid a visit to the Bunnyside Asylum. My regular inspection was completed on the Ist, 2nd, and 4th February. I have seen all the books, orders, and certificates, as required by " The Lunatics Act, 1882," and find them well kept, and in legal form. Some patients' letters, detained from the post, I have directed to be destroyed as unfit for transmission. There are to-day 324 patients on the register, viz., 207 males and 117 females. Of these, 1 person of either sex is detained under the habitual drunkards clauses of the statute. With the exception of 1 man and 1 woman, absent on probation, I have seen them all and find them properly detained. Eegarding one or two special cases I have entered some remarks in the patients'. book. No one was in restraint or seclusion during either of my visits. On the male side there was neither noise nor excitement of any kind, and I had the opportunity of seeing the usual " parade " and drill gone through in a very orderly and satisfactory manner. In the female refractory ward' and adjoining airing-court some of the women were, upon one of my visits, noisy and demonstrative.. This, with the limited space at their disposal, I regard as unavoidable. The ward is greatly overcrowded, and has a cheerless appearance, which the alterations, long since sanctioned but not carried out, would entirely remedy. The whole asylum is now more than full; in fact there are a few beds made up in day-rooms and corridors. Additional single-rooms are urgently wanted, and if not provided, some untoward occurrence must be expected. I have repeatedly drawn attention to this want. There is no illness of any kind prevalent, 3 women and 1 man being in bed from ordinarycauses not requiring mention here. The patients' clothing I found suitable to their wants and habits, and both neat and clean. Scrupulous cleanliness prevails in every part of the buildings. The stores show their usual good order, and the kitchen is beautifully kept. The supplies are of good quality, the bread and butter being excellent. The old wards, long since condemned as unfit for habitation, are now disused. Some portions should be demolished, while others might, at comparatively small cost, be converted into an auxiliary asylum for working male patients and others of quiet habits. Since my last report, water-closets have been introduced or brought into use throughout the asylum. A block of new ones has been erected for the use of the occupants of the female wards, and two, out of doors, for the airing-court, &c. This must be looked upon as a vast improvement, both from the convenience and improved sanitary condition afforded by the system. Unfortunately, however, the supply of water is very defective, and the inadequate pumping arrangements have now entirely broken down. The Public Works Department are making temporary arrangements in the matter; but it is to be hoped that a permanent well will be sunk and an engine erected upon the spot set apart for that purpose on the ground plan of the central block. The Minister for Public Works is now giving this matter his attention. The fences forming the boundaries of the asylum estate are in a very dilapidated state. Their appearance is not creditable, and they permit of escapes taking place with great ease. I recommend that the portion forming the frontage to the high road be taken in hand at once, and a substantial barrier erected. The patients' amusements have been well provided for of late. An omnibus was purchased, principally from the profits of a dramatic performance by the asylum staff, and small picnics now take place three times in each week. No less than 106 of the male patients have joined in excursions to New Brighton and Lansdowne, and the women are now commencing to enjoy the same privileges. Two of the horses used are kindly lent by Dr. Hacon. It is satisfactory to find that few changes have occurred in the staff of attendants. The increased scale of wages given to the men has largely conduced to this result. I have a very good opinion of the staff generally. They, one and all, appear to take much interest in their work. Regarding Dr. Hacon, I have only to repeat what I have often said in other words, that he has brought the asylum into a high state of efficiency, and uses every effort to maintain its high standard of excellence. Seacliff. The number of patients on the Ist January, 1885, was 362, 233 males and 129 females. During the year 102 males and 43 females were admitted for the first time, and 9 males and 15 females readmitted. The total number treated was 531 —344 males and 187 females. Of these there have been discharged as " recovered " 31 males and 21 females ; as " relieved " or " not improved " 1 male and 1 female; 20 males and 7 females died; leaving a total at the end of the year of 450, viz. i 292 males and 158 females.

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The requirements of this asylum (beyond repairs of its numerous defects) are gasworks, which can be erected for some £1,200, instead of the £6,000, formerly estimated. Superintendent's house : To compel the Superintendent to live in the damp rooms which he now occupies, and which have no outlook but upon the walls of the buildings, is neither beneficial to his health nor conducive to that cheerfulness which is essential for counteracting the depressing influences of asylum life. The rooms were intended by the architect for the porter. A proper residence, in which a married man might reside and bring up a family, is very essential, for no Superintendent could bring a lady to reside in such premises as are now provided for his use at Seacliff. Cheerful surroundings are the more necessary here, as no society is to be had in the neighbourhood, and frequent visits to Duncdin arc rendered impracticable by distance and bad train service. Regarded merely as a matter of ordinary humanity, a proper house is demanded without further delay. Additional accommodation might be provided for lunatics by utilizing some of the useless space in the attics. Proper airing-courts, in front of the asylum, should be made, as originally intended. At present many of the patients can see nothing but the sky and the surrounding buildings either from their airing-courts or their rooms within the asylum. If " habitual drunkards " are to be received here separate accommodation is needed for them. During the late drought the water in the reservoir became so low that a temporary supply had to be brought some four miles, at a cost of many hundreds of pounds. It would be well if this supply could be permanently secured, as it appears to be of better quality than that running into the reservoir from the asylum estate. A large sum of money must have been expended in repairing the broken plaster of walls and ceilings, which has been done throughout the building. It will be seen from my report herewith that semi-liquid mud still lies close beneath the floors of certain rooms intended for patients and attendants at a time when the drought was at its height. I take this last opportunity of stating that the whole of my previous statements arc correct, and borne out by the facts of the case; and, although I have been openly contradicted in Parliament, and have received hints of intended law-proceedings, with demands for apologies, I will again assert that the site of the asylum is ill-chosen, the establishment badly designed and out of date, the buildings defective in construction, and showing everywhere bad workmanship, which should never have been accepted. Repairs are constantly in progress, and have been since the asylum was first occupied. The £34 odd, stated in Parliament to be necessary for such purposes, must surely have been already exceeded. In view of the examples we have in this colony of ill-designed asylums, it would surely be wise to employ in future an English architect, possessing special knowledge of asylum requirements; or, at least, to submit any selected design, and its specifications, to his scrutiny. The plan of the Christchurch establishment (as accepted by Government) was simply a copy of one of the older English asylums, while the buildings at Auckland have more the character of an old English workhouse than of a modern hospital for the insane. My visits to the Seacliff Asylum were upon the following dates : 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 25th January, 1886. The following entry was made by me in the Inspector's book:— 11th January, 1886.—1 have been engaged since Friday, the Bth January, in making an inspection of the Seacliff Asylum, and I have seen every patient on the register with the exception of 3 females, who are absent on probation. The register and other books have been examined and signed, and are, without any exception, well kept. The medical certificates and orders for admission are all in statutory form. A large number of patients' letters, detained from the post and submitted to me, I find to be unfit for transmission. Since my last visit the population of the asylum has been augmented by the natural annual increase of insane patients and by the removal hither of 20 females from Christchurch. The numbers on the register are to-day 292 males, 158 females : total, 450. In addition there are 3 habitual drunkards confined here. The above numbers, compared with 362 a [year ago resident in the asylum, show a large increase. 104 males and 5 females are accommodated in the older wooden buildings, which are quite full. The whole asylum may be expected to be fully occupied by the end of the present year, and it will not be practicable to transfer any more patients hither from other parts of the colony. I am glad to report a remarkable immunity from sickness at the present time. The mortality of the year 1885 was unusually large, but examination of the register shows that preventible disease took no part in increasing the death-rate. To-day there are only one or two old and paralyzed patients confined to bed. I saw two females in seclusion for maniacal excitement, but no one under any other form of restraint, and remarkable quiet prevailed everywhere.

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The patients are unusually well dressed, and their personal appearance is clean and tidy. A good deal of variety is to be seen in dress material, which I notice with much approval. I had the opportunity of seeing dinner cooked and served in a satisfactory manner, the scale of diet being liberal and the quality of the provisions good. Being at the asylum on Sunday I was able to attend Divine service in the afternoon. This is regularly held in the lower hall by the Dunedin City Missionary, Mr. Torrance, and is of a character suited to the intellects of those who attend. The behaviour of the patients was quite as good as that of any ordinary church congregation. The employment of the patients receives a large amount of attention, as has always been the case at this asylum. 115 men are engaged in outdoor labour and 91 in domestic work within the building ; 18 females are needle-workers, 34 are employed in laundry and kitchen, while 37 perform other domestic duties. Thus a very satisfactory total of 295 persons is shown to be usefully employed. On the first occupation of the asylum it was necessary to devote all available labour to providing means of subsistence, by felling bush, forming gardens for vegetables, and clearings for the cultivation of produce and pasture for live stock. A vast amount of fencing and formation of roads and paths also require to be done, as well as the erection by home labour of numerous wooden buildings for necessary uses. These works having been in great measure overtaken, it has been found practicable to devote labour of late to levelling portions of the estate immediately fronting the asylum. In this way an extensive plateau is being formed, which will be both ornamental in appearance and very valuable for purposes of recreation, for, singular to state, there is no level patch of ground on the whole reserve available for this use. The tramway from the railway-station is also in course of thorough renovation. Its course, which was objectionably close to the female wing, has been diverted ; and, with improved gradients, it will shortly be completed as a work which will serve for many years with very slight repairs. A site has been cleared for a cemetery. Some opposition by owners of land on the other side of the railway-line has no substantial basis. The alleged water supply which would be in danger of pollution is non-existent, while the natural drainage of the proposed cemetery site is not in the direction of the property in question. The site is, in my opinion, unobjectionable, and the best which the reserve offers. Passing to work of a more skilled character, I notice good and roomy cottages erected for attendants, and composed almost wholly of old material brought from the Dunedin Asylum. A new range of ten single-rooms, with a corridor built in wood, since my last visit, are fully occupied by male patients of the violent class. Neat picket fences have also been placed round the mortuary, the larder, and in front of the reserve, where it borders on the public road and railway. These works have been completed by home labour alone; all the chimneys and a massive retaining wall having been built by a patient. Surely such undertakings as these, successfully carried out, should be the best answer to those officials who would criticize the mode in which the lunatics have been employed at this asylum since its opening. As an indication of the economy resulting from such a utilization of labour I would point out that the new single-rooms have cost, with all the fittings, less than £14 each. It now becomes my duty to notice the structural and other defects of the asylum, its site and its water supply. An exceptionally dry season has caused a drought here as elsewhere in the colony. The level of the water in the reservoir, which created some alarm upon the visit of the Colonial Secretary some fourteen days ago, has since fallen about 2ft.; and steps are in progress by the Public Works Department to intercept a very slender stream elsewhere for use in the laundry. The water remaining in the reservoir must be largely contaminated with organic matter, to which its excessive hardness probably acts in some sort as a remedy by precipitating it, otherwise serious illness might have been expected from its use; nor is the asylum population free from such danger after the occurrence of the next heavy rainfall, which will cause much pollution of the reservoir. Plasterers are now engaged in replacing fallen ceilings within the new asylum, and in stopping all cracks which have opened. I notice several fresh ones since my last visit; some of which, but not all, are due to shrinkage or warping of ill-seasoned timber. Lead safes have been fixed to take away the leakage of bath-taps, and thus save the ceilings below. One of the hot-water cisterns in the roof has been replaced at considerable cost by a copper vessel, which will remain serviceable. The other leadlined boxes will continue from time to time a source of trouble and expense until similarly replaced. One of them at present needs a large washhand-basin to catch its leakage. The leakage through the roof of the large hall has been effectually stopped. Small drains have been made to take away the water which partially covered the joists of certain rooms on the lower floor, as mentioned in former reports. There is no water there now; but notwithstanding the protracted drought, there is soft and wet mud. To compel persons to occupy such rooms as exist on the first projecting bay from the centre block on the female side would be little short of the crime of manslaughter in view of their present condition of dampness in an unprecedentedly dry season. The defective apparatus at the laundry remains unaltered. My previous complaints about the " toy " steam boiler elicited a reply that a similarly sized boiler satisfactorily performed the work at the North-East Valley Public Laundry, Dunedin. On inquiry, I find that the Dunedin boiler has an outside measurement, an area of fire-grate, and a heating-surface, each of them three times as great as the Seacliff boiler, while the drying-closet at Dunedin is supplemented by a hot-air furnace in addition to the steam tubes. It will be sufficient to give this one example of the way in which my complaints have been met, and to say that other similar statements of a contradictory character could be quite as easily rebutted. Meanwhile another and larger boiler is badly needed, as well as a good ironing-stove. In the matter of a gas supply nothing has yet been done. All that is wanted could be provided at a cost of from £1,200 to £1,500 ; the latter sum sufficing for a plant large enough to supply any future extension of the asylum. The necessary vote has received parliamentary sanction, but there the matter remains, and the increased risk of fire, with many other drawbacks, continues, 2—H. 6.

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The number of loose door-frames of single-rooms increases. I saw several which I could readily have pushed completely out of their brickwork setting. It would be folly to repair the plaster without fixing them securely beforehand. I notice that the certificate for working the steam-boiler behind the kitchen expired in February, 1885. The laundry boiler has never yet been certificated. These things should be brought to the notice of the Inspector of Machinery. It should also be remarked that the lofty asylum buildings, situated on a high hill, are not protected by any lightning-conductor. The difficulty and expense of visiting the Seacliff Asylum continue to elicit complaints from visitors, relatives of patients, the resident staff, and from all who have business to transact there. Many find it preferable to drive from Dunedin in hired vehicles rather than incur the vexatious delays which the bad train service involves. The cost of the journey is also in many cases a grievous hardship. This is a matter which should not be beyond remedy. Some changes in the staff deserve a passing notice. The Matron having resigned was succeeded three months ago by Mrs. Grundy, who gives abundant reason to justify her selection from a number of other candidates. Her services are already very valuable. Dr. Nelson, the Assistant-Medical Officer, retired from the service early in December, and, I regret to say, that no successor has yet been appointed. The work is far too onerous for one medical officer to perform, apart from all consideration of the additional anxieties connected with the defects in building and water supply, so often alluded to. I have directed attention to the matter on previous occasions ; and now find, as I anticipated, that Dr. Neill is suffering in health from the continued strain upon his energies and constant confinement to the asylum precincts. Nothing but a period of entire relaxation from duty will remedy this state of things, which I urge the Government to consider favourably, and without any delay. Dr. Neill has done excellent service, both here and elsewhere, and is fairly entitled to a prolonged leave of absence, from which he would return to his duties with renewed zeal and valuable information acquired beyond the colony. Hokitika. There were on the Ist January, 1885, 69 males and 31 females in this asylum: total, 100. 15 males and 4 females were admitted for the first time during the year, and 1 male readmitted. The total number treated was 120; of these there were discharged as "recovered "10 males and 1 female, 6 males and 2 females died, leaving at the close of the year 69 males and 32 females : total, 101. This asylum contains its full number of patients, and is very complete in all its arrangements. The accommodation it affords is excellent; and both the employment and the recreation of the patients receive full attention. It has always been a pleasure to me to visit the establishment, which I have lately been unable to do through impaired health. Napier. The patients numbered on the Ist January, 1885, 13 males and 3 females : total, 16. 8 males and 4 females were admitted during the year for the first time, and 1 male and 1 female readmitted. The total number treated was 30 ;of these there were discharged as "recovered" 2 females, and as "relieved" or "not improved" 18 males and 4 females; 1 female died. The number remaining at the close of the year was s—namely,s—namely, 4 males and I female. This asylum should be gazetted as closed, and provision made for its inmates at Porirua. It seems monstrous to keep up an establishment where the cost per head reaches nearly jBIOO per annum. My visit was made on the 3rd October, 1885, when I left the following entry in the Inspector's book : — 3rd October, 1885. —There are this day 4 males and 4 female patients in the asylum, all of whom I have seen and conversed with. Three of the men are likely to recover shortly and to be discharged, the remaining one should be removed to Wellington as soon as there are others to accompany him. Of the females, one is a feeble and hopeless epileptic, who would derive no benefit from removal; another is retained here at her mother's wish; a third is perfectly contented, believing the establishment to be her own property ; while the fourth has only comparatively recently been admitted. The last-mentioned should be transferred to Wellington after a further period of probation, should recovery not ensue. There are no patients here at present "on remand," and none are absent "on leave." The place is kept scrupulously clean, and the books and papers, all of which I examined, are in accordance with the statutory requirements. Nelson. The patients numbered on the Ist January, 1885, 55 males and 40 females : total, 95. II males and 1 female were admitted during the year, and 2 males and 1 female readmitted. The total number treated was 110. Of these 2 males and 3 females were discharged as " recovered," while 3 males and 1 female died. At the close of the year there remained under care 63 males and 38 females : total, 101. The asylum is quite full. A small laundry is about to be erected. The additional requirements are a proper water supply, which the City Council ought to provide in considera-

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tion of the large sum paid to them by the Government for that end. The rebuilding of a cottage for the night attendant is also necessary. During the past year the services of both Mr. and Mrs. Mills—the Superintendent and tho Matron—were lost to the Government through their death. The high pitch of excellence which the Nelson Asylum has attained is due to their industry and ability. They are succeeded by Mr. and Mrs. White, who bring with them a long experience, acquired here and in the Old Country I have no doubt that the asylum will in their hands continue to merit its present good reputation. My last visits were paid on the 4th, sth, 7th, Bth, 9th, 11th, and 14th December, 1885, when I left the following entry in the Inspector's book: — 7th December, 1885.—1 have devoted a portion of each of the following days—the 4th, sth, and 7th of December—to my periodical inspection of the asylum, and have visited every part of the buildings and grounds. The former have undergone neither alteration nor enlargement, but the latter have been materially added to by the expiry of certain leases, and the consequent falling-in of adjoining land, which will be very valuable for asylum purposes. This land consists of orchards and nursery-gardens, which had been permitted to fall into a state of utter neglect. Considerable progress has, however, been made already in reclaiming them and bringing them under proper cultivation. The whole asylum estate gives evidence of great care and industry. The prospects of good crops, both of fruit and vegetables, are very favourable. At present only two cows are kept, and for these there is little or no pasturage. Milk consequently has to be purchased, and the need of more grazing land is very apparent. I find the buildings in good order both externally and internally. The wards and dormitories are very clean, and the bedding all that could be desired. The supplies, which I examined and tasted, are of good quality, and I heard no complaints upon this score. No illness of any kind exists at present, only one aged man being in bed, and that only for a short rest. One very troublesome female patient was in charge of two attendants, and to some extent restrained. She is desperately suicidal, and constantly endeavours to injure herself, requiring to be watched day and night. This is the only instance of restraint which I have to notice, and I should mention that seclusion is very rarely resorted to in this asylum. There is a population to-day of 63 males and 38 females, exclusive of attendants. This is more than the asylum can properly or safely accommodate. The universal quietude which prevails is attributable to the diligence which is used in inducing the patients to employ themselves. The proportion usefully occupied is very large, 50 males and 30 females being placed in this category. A large number enjoy the privilege of walks outside the asylum grounds on Saturday afternoons and on Sundays. Divine service is attended by about 80 patients. I have examined the registers, books, orders, and certificates, in accordance with the statute. All are in due form and properly kept, with the exception of the case-book, which is in arrears. The medical officer will no doubt take an early opportunity of remedying this defect. The con-tributing-patients' ledger shows that great efforts are made by the Superintendent to collect money due for maintenance, and that those efforts are very successful. I have now again to draw attention to the necessity for making some enlargement of the front wings of the asylum and of building a detached laundry. To-day being washing day the evil of using a room in the main building for a wash-house was only too apparent, while the heating of irons in a room full of patients' beds renders the atmosphere stifling and the heat intolerable. Plans have already been prepared for a new detached laundry; as the expense will not be large no further delay should occur in erecting it. The addition of a day-room to each of the two front wings of the asylum and the rebuilding of a cottage (the chimney excepted), in the ground recently acquired will remedy the over-crowding for a time. I urgently recommend that these things be done. A source of anxiety, even greater than that caused by the over-crowding, is the defective water supply. It is lamentable and certainly not creditable to the City Council that, after a subsidy of £800 paid to them for a good supply of water by the Government, it should be necessary to look elsewhere for a remedy. Day after day no water can be drawn from the mains, and the asylum is dependent upon what flows at night into a few iron tanks. It has, indeed, happened that these tanks have been found empty in the morning, causing vast inconvenience and labour in carrying water from a distance for the whole of that day's use. Doubts have been thrown upon my previous statements as to the defective supply, and a good pressure of water was shown to exist when the late Colonial Secretary (the Hon. Mr. Dick) last visited the asylum; but Ido not hesitate to assert that special arrangements were made for his edification, and that such a pressure has not since been witnessed. Thirty acres of land immediately at the rear of the asylum are now obtainable by purchase, and with them may be secured a permanent water supply, with every facility for forming proper storage. The land is in grass, and would enable the formation of a proper dairy-farm if required. Having regard to the extension of asylum accommodation at no distant date, I earnestly recommend that the opportunity of acquiring this property be not lost. During my visit to the asylum I was appealed to by a female who has been confined here as an " habitual drunkard," and who passes her time day and night with noisy and troublesome lunatics. No separate accommodation exists here in which she could be placed, nor is there any room or ward, in which lunatics are not placed, available at Wellington or Christchurch. It appears to me that the treatment of this woman is illegal, and that she has grave cause for complaint. I should fail in my duty did I not place on record my sense of the great loss this asylum has sustained, since my last visit, in the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Mills, the late Superintendent and Matron. The high opinion which I held of their abilities, untiring energy, and upright conduct is

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sufficiently evident from my former reports. It is no light praise to Mr. and Mrs. White, who have recently been appointed, to say that they give every promise of becoming worthy successors to their predecessors in office. The condition of the asylum is maintained at its old standard of excellence. Wellington. On the Ist January, 1885, there were here 196 patients—l 23 males and 73 females. During the year 37 males and 23 females were admitted for the first time, and 2 males and 3 females readmitted. The total number under treatment was 261 —namely, 162 males and 99 females; 11 males and 11 females were discharged as "recovered," and 34 males and 1 female as " relieved "or " not improved •" 16 males and 6 females died. The numbers remaining on the 31st December, 1885, were 101 males and 81 females : total, 182. The requirements of this asylum are additional accommodation for 20 female lunatics; the reconstruction of the back airing-court on the male side, with the erection of one or two rooms for the use of the night attendant and others. A branch establishment at Porirua could be readily worked, and with much advantage and economy. The asylum was visited by me on the 18th May, 3rd and 15th June, 22nd and 31st July, 21st August, 10th September, 24th November, 1885; and again on 12th and 13th February, 1886. The following entries were made by me in the Inspector's book : — 13th February, 1886.—1 visited the Mount View Asylum yesterday afternoon, and completed my inspection to-day. There are now 182 patients on the register—namely, 102 males and 80 females, all of whom I have seen, with the exception of two men absent on trial. On comparing these numbers with those of a year ago, it will be seen that a diminution of 15 has occurred in the total resident. This is chiefly to be accounted for by a high death-rate ; but it is satisfactory to know that all the deaths were from ordinary causes, none being due to accidents or preventible diseases. The sanitary state of the establishment is remarkably good, and has long been so. There are very few patients under medical treatment, and I saw only two men and one woman in bed. No restraint appears to have been necessary for some time past, and seclusion has been confined to a very few individuals. One female, admitted in December last, has needed this form of treatment almost constantly since her admission, and would injure herself or others if permitted to be out of her room. The patients, as a whole, enjoy a considerable amount of liberty, and their comfort is studied in every way. They are very well clothed, kept scrupulously clean, and are very liberally provided for in the matter of food. The dietary is varied, the supplies of excellent quality, and the cooking well done. The proportion of the usefully-employed continues lar^e —156 of both sexes are profitably engaged in some kind of work. The laundry, where the whole of the washing is performed for the hospital as well as the asylum, gives occupation to a number of the females, and the large new work-room (formerly in the occupation of the Matron) accommodates a number of needle-workers. The males are largely engaged in out-door labour, and with profitable results. Excellent crops of beet, swedes, and garden vegetables are now to be seen; but the potato yield is very unsatisfactory on account of the protracted drought. The farm stock now comprises 31 cows and calves, 2 bulls, and 69 pigs. About twenty head of cattle are grazing on the Porirua estate, by agreement made with the lessee, but without any cost to the asylum. It has not been necessary of late to purchase any milk. The work of levelling and reclaiming hitherto useless portions of the estate has made good progress since my last report. The flower-gardens serving for airing-courts are very attractive-looking and neatly kept. A most admirable court has been formed by extending one of the miserable yards at the back, formerly paved with bricks. This has now been asphalted, large flower-beds formed and planted, their borders being in ornamental stucco-work. A central fountain, with a basin for gold-fish, forms a very ornamental feature. This has all been executed by home labour. A covered way, enclosed with glass sashes, has been made of the verandah forming the approach from the female division to the kitchen. The benefit in wet south-easterly weather is very groat. A large greenhouse is in course of erection in front of the new female wing, which will serve also as a muchneoded " break-wind "to the garden behind a portion of it. The ceilings of several largo dormitories and day-rooms have been painted by the patients, and additional furniture and linoleum provided. The latter is of good quality, and vastly superior to what was obtained from the contractor for the female refractory-wards, and which is already badly worn. Two new rooms have been brought into use since my last report for a two-fold purpose—namely, as visiting-rooms and as attendants' messrooms, for which they are well suited. Some repairs are needed within the asylum. The covering of scrim and paper upon the upper portion of the walls of the refractory wards, both male and female, is unsuitable, and constantly becoming torn and soiled. It should be replaced by match-boarding, which might with advantage be painted in some light tint, instead of being varnished simply. One of the padded rooms requires repairs, the pads being much torn. The dining-hall should be painted in some light tint above a dark shade, as previously recommended. This would relieve its present gloomy look. The exterior of the old buildings, the wings, and the Superintendent's house should be painted this season to preserve the woodwork, which is suffering from exposure to the weather. I repeat my recommendation as to the provision of accommodation for 20 additional female patients. The back-yard on the male side should be converted into an ornamental court, a portion of the

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old and condemned building being removed. This work only requires to be seen to commend itself to any person's judgment. Eegarding the books, registers, and papers, I have to state that I found them all in proper form and duly entered up. The Mount View Asylum now offers great advantages for the proper treatment of the insane; its former drawbacks and defects having been remedied in a way which must surprise those who remember the establishment as it existed a very few years ago. For this greatly-improved state of things the principal credit must be awarded to Dr. Levinge, who brought with him new and valuable ideas, as well as the capacity to carry them out. He has now completed two years of work, and has rendered the colony very valuable service; for, while promoting the well-being and comfort of those under his direction, he never loses sight of economy in his expenditure. The asylum will serve for the wants of this portion of the colony for many years to come, provided an auxiliary agricultural establishment be organized on the estate purchased for that purpose at Porirua. Ashburn Hall (Licensed House.) On the Ist January, 1885, this establishment contained 9 males and 6 females ; 8 males and 5 females have since been admitted, all for the first time. The total treated during the year was 28. Of these 3 males and 2 females have been discharged as "recovered," 2 females as " relieved "or " not improved," and 2 males have died. The numbers remaining on the 31st December, 1885, were 12 males and 7 females : total 19. The asylum was inspected by me on the 13th January, 1886, when I left the following report in the Inspector's book : — 13th January, 1886. —I have this day made my periodical inspection of the Ashburn Hall (licensed house), and have visited every portion of the building, and also the gardens. Without any exception, everything is maintained in perfect order, and improvements have been made in the grounds since my last visit. The day being fine, almost all the patients were out of doors, some of them occupied in gardening. There are to-day under treatment 19; of these 12 are males and 7 females, one of the latter being admitted under the habitual drunkards clauses of " The Lunatics Act, 1882." No patients are absent on probation ; and I have satisfied myself that all are properly detained, and unfit to be at large. One young man was locked in his bedroom, for reasons which need not be specified here, and which, in my opinion, necessitates this form of treatment occasionally. There is no other record of seclusion, or any form of restraint. In accordance with statutory requirements, I have examined all the official books and documents, finding them in good order and duly entered up. The asylum is by no means full; and it is to be regretted that many relatives of well-to-do lunatics are induced to prefer the Government institutions, from motives of economy, which are by no means to be commended. In taking leave of the colony, I cannot but regard with satisfaction the great improvements which have been effected during my tenure of office in the accommodation for the insane, as well as in their surroundings and treatment. Nevertheless, I have to regret that much remains to be done before matters can be regarded as established upon a sound basis. Many of my plans and suggestions, approved by the Ministry of the day, remain unacted upon, and no provision exists for the future increase of lunacy in the colony. Unless the matter be speedily taken in hand, an adverse change will surely set in, and the present successful treatment of the insane, as evidenced by a high rate of recovery and a low death-rate, will become a thing of the past. The colony is fortunate in possessing, as Superintendents of its asylums, men possessed of special knowledge and ability ; but their services are ill-requited when they are badly paid and provided, and placed in constant difficulties through overcrowding their asylums. While the wages of attendants arc thrice as high as in the Old Country, the salaries of Superintendents are lower than those paid in England. No encouragement is given in the way of annual or other increases or pensions, and they are even required to pay for substitutes when taking that occasional leave of absence which, in their case, is an absolute necessity for the preservation of mens sana in corpore sano. To these gentlemen my thanks arc due for their hearty and willing co-operation in my past work. The following statistical tables are prepared, as usual, by Mr. Loveday, the Chief Clerk and Accountant in the Lunacy Department, who has at all times rendered me most valuable and loyal assistance in my duties. I have, &c., George Wallington Grabham, M.D., Lond., M.R.C.P., M.R.C.S., The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Inspector of Asylums.

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APPENDIX.

Table I.—Showing the Admissions, Readmissions, Discharges, and Deaths in Asylums during the year 1885.

Table II.—Admissions, Discharges, and Deaths, with the Mean Annual Mortality and Proportion of Recoveries, &c., per Cent. on the Admissions, &c., during the Year 1885.

Table II— continued.

Table II— continued.

tn asylums 1st January, 1885 Admitted for the first time Readmitted M. p. T. M. 938 F. T. 514 1,452 265 29 126 34 391 63 ] I 294 160 454 Total under care during the year Discharged and removed— Recovered .. .. .. .. Relieved .. Not improved Died 95 10 73 73 • [ 76 5 29 22 171 15 102 05 1,232 674 1,906 251 132 383 Remaining in asylums 31st Doctember, 1885.. 981 542 1,523 43 28 71 increase over 31st December, 1884 .. Average number resident during the year 965 528 1,493

In Asylums on 1st January, 1885, Admissions in 1885, Total Numbor Asylums. Admitted lor the I i,™j m i (t .j First Time. | Beadmittod. Total, Patients under Care. lUckland .. .. .. Ihristchurch )unedin (Seacliff) tokitika .. .. .. rapier felson .. Vcllington .. Lshburn Hall (private asylum) M. F. 215 105 221 127 233 129 69 31 13 3 55 40 123 73 9 6 T. 320 348 362 100 16 95 196 15 M. 45 39 102 15 8 11 37 8 F. T. 28 73 18 57 43 145 4 19 4 12 1 12 23 60 5 13 M. 8 6 9 1 1 2 2 F. 6 8 15 0 1 1 3 T. 14 14 24 1 2 3 5 M. 53 45 111 16 9 13 39 8 F. T. 34 87 26 71 58 169 4 20 5 14 2 15 26 65 5 13 M. F. 208 139 206 153 344 187 85 35 22 8 68 42 162 99 17 11 T. 40' 41! 53: 121 31 IK 26: 2! Totals 938 514 1,452 2C5 126 391 29 34 63 294 160 454 1,232 674 1,91

Patients discharged and died. In Asylums on ZTO 31st December 1885. Asylums. Discharged recovered. Discharged not recovered, Died. Total discharged and died. Auckland .. Uhristchurch Dunedin (Seacliff) .. fiokitika .. .. .. Napier kelson .. .. Wellington .. Vshburn Hall (private asylum) M. 19 19 31 10 0 2 11 3 p. 17 19 21 1 2 3 11 2 T. 36 38 52 11 2 5 22 5 M. 2 28 1 18 p. 3 23 1 4 T. 5 51 2 22 M. 16 10 20 6 0 3 16 2 p. 3 2 7 2 1 1 G 0 T. 19 12 27 8 1 4 22 2 It. 37 57 52 16 18 5 61 5 P. T. 23 60 44 101 29 81 3 19 7 25 4 9 18 79 4 9 M. F. 231 116 209 109 292 158 69 32 4 1 G3 38 101 81 12 7 T. 347 318 450 101 5 101 182 19 34 0 i 2 35 2 Totals 95 76 171 83 34 117 73 22 95 251 132 383 981 542 1,523

Asylums, Average Number resident during the Year, Percentage of Recoveries on Admissions during the Year, Percentage of Deaths on Average Number resident during the Year. Percentage of Deaths on the Number under care. Percentage of Deaths on tho Admissions. HI'Mill 111 . . . . Jhristchurch .. )unedin (Scacliff) .. lokitika .. .. lapier .. .. lolson .. .. Vellington .. .. Lshburn Hall (private asylum) .. .. M. P. T. 226 110 336 215 118 333 275 145 420 66 31 97 7 3 10 59 38 97 108 78 186 M. F. T. 35-84 50-00 41-37 42-22 73-76 53-52 2792 36-20 30-76 G2-50 25-00 55-00 00-00 40-00 14-28 15-38 15-00 33-33 28-20 42-30 33-84 M. F. T. 7-07 2-72 5-65 4-65 1-69 3-60 7-27 4-82 6-42 9-09 6-45 8-24 0-00 3-33 10-00 5-08 2-63 4-12 1-48 7-69 11-82 M. F. T. 5-96 2-15 4-66 3-75 1-30 2-8G 5-81 3-74 5-08 7-05 5-71 6-66 0-00 12-50 3-33 4-41 2-38 3-63 9-87 6-06 8-42 M. ¥. T. 3-01 8-82 2-18 2-22 7-69 1-G9 1-80 3-44 1-59 3-75 5-00 4-00 0-00 200 7-14 2-30 5-00 2-66 4-10 2-30 3-38 9 5 14 37-50 40-00 38-46 2-22 0-00 1-42 1-17 000 7-14 2-50 0-00 1-53 Totals 9G5 528 1,493 32-31 47-50 37-GG 7-56 4-16 6-36 5-92 3-26 4-98 2-48 1-37 20-92

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Table III.—Ages of the Admissions.

Table IV. —Duration of Disorder.

Table V.—Ages of Patients Discharged, "Recovered" and "Not recovered," during the Year 1885.

Table V.— continued.

Ages. . it j Christ- Dunodin Auckland. cburch (Sc acliff). Hokitika. Napier. Nelson. Wellington. Ashlmrn Hall (Private Asylum). Total. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. P. T. SI. P. T. If. F. T. It. F. T. Oil M. F. T. 51. F. T. 0 1 1 2 13 2 0 2 17 10 27 53 36 89 78 41 119 80 38 118 32 15 47 11 6 17 12 3 4 0 4 14 10 24 Indor 5 years 'rom 5 to 10 years h 10 „ 15 „ „ 15 „ 20 „ „ 20 „ 30 „ „ 30 „ 40 „ „ 40 „ 50 „ „ 50 „ 60 „ >, CO „ 70 „ „ 70 „ 80 „ „ 80 „ 90 „ Fnknown o"i i 5 3 8 9 8 17 10 4 14 17 5 22 5 4 9 2 3 5 112 10 1 3 5 8 i"o i 7 3 10 8 5 lffl 10 6 16, 12 8 20 1 4 2 6 3 14 10 1 10 1 2 0 2 21 13 34 39 17 56! 30 20 50 12 6 18 112 Oil; 10 1 3 0 3 10 1 Oil 3 3 G 9 0 9 2 0 2 10 1 0 2 2 3 14 3 2 5 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 213; 2 0 2 2 0 2 3 14 10 1 10 1 12 3 9 5 14 8 8 16 6 3 9 5 2 7 2 13 i "a 3 3 1 4 1 3 2 5 2 0 2 0 "l 1 7 ' 4 11 1 "o 1 Totals 53 34 87 45 26 71 111 58 169 16 4 20 9 5 14 13 2 15 39 26 65 8 5 13 294 160 45'

Auckland. Christchurch. Dunedin (Seaclitf). Hokitika. Napier. Nolson. Wellington. Ashburn Hall (Private Asylum). Total. first Class (first attack and within 3 months on admission) Second Class (first attack above 3 months and within 12 months on admission) 'hird Class (not first attack, and within 12 months on admission) fourth Class (first attack or not, but of more than 12 months on admission) Jnknown M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. K. F. T. M. F. T. 22 15 37 18 14 32 45 22 67 9 4 13 5 2 7 4 0 4 10 11 21 2 2 4 115 70 185 11 9 20 4 7 11 0 5 5 3 0 3 2 2 4 1 .0 1 10 1 2 2 4 24 25 49 6 6 12 7 7 14 112 4 15 4 6 10 1 0 1 23 21 44 14 4 18 9 2 11 14 3 17 59 24 83 10 1 3 0 3 10 1 4 15 0 2 2 24 7 31 3 14 91 34 125 41 10 51 Totals 53 34 87 45 2G 71 111 58 169 16 4 20 9 5 U 13 2 15| 30 2G 05 8 5 13 294 1(10 454

Auckland. Christchureh. Dunedin (Seaclifl). Hokitika. Total. Ages. Not recovered Recovered Recovered Toe ™ Ied Recovered Recovered liocoverud Not recovered. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. V, T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T, M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. ¥. T. Prom 5 to 10 „ 10 „ 15 „ 15 „ 20 „ 20 „ 30 . 30 „ 40 „ 40 „ 50 „ 50 '„ GO „ GO „ 70 „ 70 „ 80 „ 80 „ 90 Unknown 2 13 2 4 G 6 5 11 14 5 5 1 G 2 13 Oil 0 1 1 2 0 2 3 7 10 2 5 7 G 6 12 6 0 6 Oil 3 3 G 10 7 17 12 10 22 3 3 G Oil 5 5 10 15 3 18 10 10 20 112 Oil 1 'o 1 Oil 8 1 4 3 0 3 4 0 4 4 2 6 10 1G 2G 1 2G 14 40! 20 20 40 10 2 18! 0 2 2 5 4 9 :11 8 19 12 12 24 3 3 G 1 0 1 2 2 4 10 1 2 2 4 Totals .. 19 17 3G 2 3 5 19 19 38 28 23 51 112 31 21 52 10 1 11 79 58 137 31 27 58

Napier. Nelson. Wellington. Ashburn Hall (Private Asylum). Total. Ages. Recovered Te J* led Recovered j rec^re(J Recovered r J*% ted Becoverea:^^ Kecoverea M. F. T. M. F. T. 11. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. 51. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. 'rom 5 to 10 „ 10 „ 15 „ 15 „ 20 „ 20 „ 30 „ 30 „ 40 „ 40 „ 50 „ 50 „ GO „ CO „ 70 „ 70 „ 80 „ 80 „ 90 Inknown 0 2* 2 12 3 3 0 3 7 18 5 0 5 2 0 2 Oil 0 3* 3 10 1 101 12 3 4 3 7 2 2 4 2 2 4 2 13 i 7 6' 7 12 0 12 9 0 9 3 0 3 o i' i 2 13 oil 12 3 4 8 12 3 3 6 4 3 7 3 14 1 3 4 10 0 10 19 1 20 14 0 14 5 0 5 0 2 2 0 i' 1 0 i' 1 3 14 10 1 1 i' 2 3 i" 4 Totals .. 0 2 2 18 4 22 j 2 3 5 022! 16 18 34 52 7 59 11 11 22 34 1 35 3 2 5

H.—6

16

Table VI.—Ages of the Patients who died.

Table VII.—Condition as to Marriage.

Ages. Auckland. Christchurch. Dunedin (Beocliff). Hokitika. Napior. Nelson. Wellington. Ashburn Hall (Private ABylum). Total. M. F. T. M. F. T. 10 1 M. F. T. M. F. T. M. P. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. Oil 10 1 M. F. T. M. F. T. 112 10 1 10 1 8 19 20 5 25 1G 8 24 10 5 15 9 2 11 3 0 3 2 0 2 2 0 2 Yom 5 to 10 years „ 10 „ 15 „ „ 15 „ 20 „ „ 20 „ 30 „ » 30 „ 40 „ „ 40 „ 50 „ „ 50 „ CO „ „ 60 „ 70* „ „ 70 „ 80 „ „ 80 „ 90 „ Inknown 10 1 Oil 8 19 4 0 4 112 10 1 10 1 2 0 2 10 1 2 2 4 4 0 4 5 0 5 6 17 6 5 11 2 0 2 Oil 10 1 112 2 0 2 112 10 1 10 1 oil 2 13 10 1 2 13 2 2 4 4 15 3 14 2 0 2 101 10 1 2 0 2 Total 10 3 19 10 2 12 20 7 27 G 2 8 Oil 3 14 '■ 1G G 22 2 0 2 73 22 95

Admissions. Discharges. Deaths. LUCKLAND — Single Married Widowed Unknown M. F. T. 27 15 42 22 13 35 3 G 9 10 1 M. F. T. 13 6 19 5 12 17 3 2 5 M. 10 6 F. T. 0 10 3 9 Totals 53 34 87 21 20 41 16 3 19 Jhristchurch— Single Married Widowed 28 10 38 17 12 29 0 3 4 38 17 55 8 21 29 14 5 6 3 1 2 0 0 8 3 1 Totals 45 2G 71 47 42 89 10 2 12 DUNEDIN— Single Married Widowed 75 19 94 31 32 G3 5 7 12 21 5 2G 8 15 23 3 2 5 12 7 1 3 15 3 10 1 2 Totals 111 58 1G9 32 22 54 20 7 27 lOKITIKA— Single Married Widowed 9 4 3 2 11 1 5 1 4 6 2 2 1 0 0 7 2 2 4 0 4 2 'a 4 Totals 1G 4 20 10 1 11 G 2 8 Japiek— Single Married Widowed 7 2 3 10 2 4 1G 2 3 19 3 5 0 'i 1 Totals 9 5 14 18 G 24 0 1 Ielson— Single Married Widowed 9 0 9 2 13 2 13 12 3 112 10 1 112 10 1 Totals 13 2 15 2 3 5 3 14 Vellinoton— Single Married Widowed Unknown 19 8 27 9 15 24 2 3 5 9 0 9 3G 7 1 1 5 41 G 13 1 2 0 1 14 4 18 2 2 4 Totals 39 2G G5 45 12 57 1G G 22 iSHBurn Hall (private asylum)— Single Married Widowed 4 2 2 2 3 0 G 5 2 1 1 1 2 2 0 3 3 1 2 0 a Totals 8 5 13 3 4 7 2 0 2 'otals— Single Married Widowed Unknown 178 59 237 89 79 168 17 22 39 10 0 10 132 41 173 34 GO 94 11 9 20 10 1 49 9 58 19 10 29 5 3 8 Totals 294 ICO 454 178 110 288 73 22 95

17

H.—6

Table VIII.—Native Countries.

Table IX.—Ages of Patients at 31st December, 1885.

Table X.—Length of Residence of Patients who died during 1885.

3—H. 6.

Total. Countries. Auckland. Jhristchurcl Dunedin (Seacliil). Hokitika. Napier. Nelson. Wellington. Ashburn Hall (Private Asylum). M. F. T. 350 193 543 1C2 94 256 256 181 437 61 34 95 12 6 18 8 5 13 24 9 33 4 15 18 1 19 9 5 14 11 0 11 20 0 20 16 i 20 7 2 9 112 2 0 2 10 1 19 6 25 England .. Scotland .. Ireland New Zi-alnnd Australia .. France Germany .. Norway Sweden Denmark .. Italy China Maoris America .. Wales Tasmania .. Hebrides .. Other countries 107 58 105 27 7 34 46 36 82 21 10 31 2 0 2 3 0 3 3 0 3 M. F. T. 85 50 135 23 14 37 61 36 97 18 3 21 3 0 3 10 1 5 16 112 10 1 11. P. T. 78 36 114 73 56 129 70 52 122 6 2 8 4 4 8 2 3 5 6 4 10 3 0 3 10 0 10 5 0 5 6 0 6 16 0 1G m. y. t. 16 9 25 6 2 8 2818 46 2 13 2 1 3 10 1 4 1 5 M. F. T. 2 0 2 0 11 M. F. T. 2G 10 36 8 3 11 16 10 26 8 9 17 32 27 59 20 9 27 35 28 63 3 9 12 10 1 10 1 5 2 7 M. F. T. 4 3 7 5 3 8. 3 0 3 0 11 0 '2 2 112 2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 10 1 3 0 3 2 0 2 2 13 0 11 10 1 14 5 2 0 2 2 0 2 11 4 15 2 0 2 3 2 5 112 2 0 2 2 0 2 1 '6 1 2 '6 2 2 0 2 1 '6 1 2 13 3 14 13 1 14 112 0 2 2 181 542 1,523 Totals .. 231116 347 209 109 318 292 158 450 69 32 101 4 15 13 38 101 101 81182 12 7 19

AgO9. Auckland. Christchurch. Dunedin (Soaoliff). Holdtika. Napier. Ashburn Nelson. Wellington, jpg*^ Asylum). Total. M. F. T. Oil Oil 0 1 1 3 4 7 29 14 43 57 31 88 80 29 109 39 1G 55 11 14 25! 4 3 7! 3 0 3 5 2 7 M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. P. T. M. F. T. M. f. t. M. F. T. Oil 7 2 9 6 5 11 22 19 41 130 82 212 259 154 413 313 153 4G6 1G6 75 241 45 36 81 12 7 13 5 0 5 16 8 24 1 to 5 years 5 „ 10 „ .0 „ 15 „ .5 „ 20 „ !0 „ 30 „ 10 „ 40 „ iO „ 50 „ iO „ GO „ >0 „ 70 „ '0 „ 80 „ 10 „ 90 „ Jnknown 3 0 3 Oil 8 4 12 29 12 41 48 36 84 G3 30 93 42 19 61 12 0 18 4 0 4 3 0 3 4 2 G 4 7 11 42 31 73 88 44 132 97 53 150' 41 15 56 8 5 13 112 10 1 3 0 3 112 10 1 6 3 9 10 9 19 34 12 46 13 3 16 3 2 5 10 1 112 10 1 5 1 G 7 9 16 11 9 20 23 10 33 12 5 17 3 3 C 10 1 10 1 Oil 112 10 1 0 3 3 13 11 24 40 23 G3 14 16 30 16 16 32 7 G 18 9 3 S 3 14 4 2 G 2 3 5 2 13 10 1 10 1 0 "l 1 12 3 7 2 9 Totals G3 38 101 231 116 347 209 109 318 292 158 450 G9 32 101 4 15 101 81 182 12 7 19 981 5421,52;

/ength of Residence. Auckland. Christchurch. Dunedin (Seaeliff). Hokitika. Napier. Nelson. Wellington. Ashburn Hall (Privato Asylum). Total. Under 1 month .. 1 to 3 months 3 „ 6 6 ,,9 9 „ 12 1 „ 2 years .. 2 „ 3 , 3 „ 5 „ 5 „ 7 „ 7 „ 10 „ LO „ 12 „ 12 „ 15 „ Dver 15 „ M. P. T. M. P. T. M. P. T. 2 0 2 112 3 0 3 112 2 0 2 5 16 2 0 2 3 0 3 Oil Oil Oil 112 M. P. T. M. P. T. M. P. T. M. P. T. 2 13 10 1 112 5 3 8 10 1 3 0 3 112 10 1 M. P. T. M. F. T. 4 15 6 2 8 6 2 8 9 1 13 5 0 5 16 2 18 9 2 11 11 1 12 12 3 3 14 0 2 2 2 2 4 112 10 1 2 13 10 1 2 0 2 10 1 2 0 2 Oil 10 1 0 1* 1 2 0 2 5 0 5 2 13 4 15 3 0 3 2 0 2 10 1 10 1 2 0 2 112 2 0 2 Oil 10 1 112 10 1 0 1 1 Totals 10 3 19 10 2 12 20 7 27 6 2 8 Oil 3 14 16 6 22 2 0 2 73 22 95

H.—6

Table XI.—Length of Residence of Patients discharged "Recovered" during 1885.

Table XII.—Causes of Death.

18

Iiength of Residence. Auckland. Christcliurch. Dunodin (Boacliff). Hokitika. Napior. Nelson. Wellington. Asliburn Hall (Piivato Asylum). Total. M. P. T. m. r. t. M. P. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. P. T. M. P. T. fnder 1 month .. from 1 to 3 months .3,6 . ,6,9 , * 9 ,12 „ 1 „ 2 years „ 2 „ 3 , .3,5 „ . 5 „ 7 , „ 7 ,,10 , . 10 „12 • „ „ 12 „ 15 „ •ver 15 .. 7 2 9 4 7 31 4 4 8 10 1 13 4 Oil 10 1 Oil 5 3 8 3 4 7 0 4 4 4 3 7 5 2 7 112 112 5 3 8 5 4 9 5 2 7 6 7 13 3 4 7 112 3 0 3 112 2 0 2 3 0 3 2 1 3 3 0 3 4 2 6 14 5 13 4 10 1 10 1 10 1 Oil Oil 9 4 IS 25 11 8C 17 19 S( 13 19 35 11 9 2( 8 8 1( 1 3 4 8 1 £ 1 1 i 1 1 S Oil Oil 112 0 1 1 5 0 5 10 1 10 1 0 1 1 112 10 1 1 0 ] Totals 19 17 36 19 19 38 31 21 52 10 1 11 0 2 2 2 3 5 11 11 22 3 2 5 95 7G 17:

Total. Causo3. Auckland. Christcrmrch. Dunedin (Seacliff). Hokitika. Napier. Nelson. Wellington. Ashburn Hall (Private Asylum). M. F. T. Diseases of the Nervous System— Epilepsy General paralysis Maniacal exhaustion .. Brain disease Progressive paralysis .. Serous effusion Apoplexy Paralysis Softening of brain M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. 1. M. P. T. 5 2 7 12 0 12 2 2 4 8 0 8 10 1 4 0 4 4 15 0 11 10 1 10 1 3 0 3 10 1 4 0 4 2 2 4 6 0 6 10 1 0 1 1 2 0 2 2 0 2 0 'l 1 4 0 4 10 1 10 1 2 0 2 10 1 10 1 Oil 1 0 1 10 1 2: 1 3 1 0* 1 8 19 .8 14 0 11 Diseases of tho Kespiratory System— Phthisis Pneumonia Bronchitis 2 0 2 10 1 2 0 2 Oil 3 0 3 10 1 112 112 5 16 Diseases of the Ciroulatory System— Heart-diseaso Heart-disease and progressive anaemia Hydro-pericardium 10 1 3 0 3 Oil 10 1 0 11 10 1 Oil 10 1 0 11 12 3 10 1 0 11 Diseases of the Digestivo System— Obstruction of bowels .. Diarrhoea Marasmus Dysentery Oil 12 3 10 1 Oil 10 1 5 16 10 1 3 14 13 4 10 1 10 1 Oil Oil 10 1 1 0 1 Other Diseases— Strangulation by hanging Senile decay General debility Erysipelas Renal disease Syphilis Rupture of kidney Osteo-sarcoma Gangrene General tuberculosis .. Atrophy from cerebrospinal disease Exhaustion from scrofulous abscess Drowning during epileptic attack 10 1 10 1 10 1 3 0 3 Oil Oil 10 1 10 1 Oil 3 0 3 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 V 1 1 8 3 1 0 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 T3 22 95 Totals.. G 2 8 2 6 2 16 3 19 10 2 12 20 7 27 0 11 3 14 16 6 22

11.—6.

19

Table XIII. —Causes of Insanity.

Total. Causos. Auckland. jgW*£ Dunodin (SeaoUfl). Hokitika. Napier. Nelson. Wellington. Ashburn Hall (Privuto Asylum). M. F. T 5 2 ', M. F. T. M. F. T. 3 14 M. F. T. M. F. T. 10 1 M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. 113 M. F. T. Adverse rircumstances 1 0 J Atheroma 10 1 1 0 1 Acute inflammation.. 10 1 1 0 1 Apoplexy 10 1 3 0 f Brain disease 10 1 2 0 2 1 17 If Climacteric Oil 0 2 2 0 8 8 10 1 0 5 5 0 1 1 3 5 ( Congenital 14 5 10 1 10 1 Oil 0 2 i Childbirth .. Oil Oil 34 11 4i Drink 8 2 10 7 18 7 3 10 4 15 2 0 2 4 2 6 2 2 4 1 5 £ Domestic troubles .. 10 1 Oil 0 4 4 6 3 £ EpHefsy 12 3 5 0 5 Oil 0 1 1 Fright Oil 18 12 3! Hereditary 10 1 2 2 4 12 7 19 10 1 112 12 3 1 0 1 Heart-disease 1 0 1 3 0 £ Injury to head 2 0 2 10 1 1 0 ] imbecility 10 1 1 0 1 Injury to spina 10 1 0 1 1 Irregular menstruation Oil 2 3 £ Lovo affairs 112 112 Oil 0 2 i I jactation .. Oil Oil 1 0 1 Loss of sight 10 1 1 0 1 Locomotor ataxy 10 1 11 0 11 Masturbation 1 0 1 3 0 3 2 0 2 10 1 2 0 2 2 0 2 8 5 IE Mental anxiety 7 2 9 Oil 112 Oil 9 1 1C Organic 9 1 10 1 0 1 Overwork •• i 1 0 1 0 7 7 Puerperal state Oil 0 3 3 0 1 1 0 2 2 2 0 £ Privation 10 1 10 1 4 0 4 Paralysis 3 0 3 10 1 9 7 1C Previous attack 8 6 14 Oil 10 1 1 1 i. Physical debility 112 2 0 £ Phthisis 2 0 2 6 2 8 Poverty 6 2 8 9 5 14 Religion 12 3 5 16 2 2 4 10 1 3 0 £ Sunstroke .. 10 1 2 0 2 6 4 1C Senile decay Oil 4 2 6 10 1 112 6 1 7 Solitary lifo Oil 2 0 2 3 0 3 10 1 1 0 1 Softening of brain .. 10 1 L32 63 19;. Unknown .. 23 13 36 12 11 23 68 30 98 3 2 5 10 1 4 0 4 L9 7 26 2 0 3 194 160 454 Totals 53 34 87 45 26 71 111 58 16! 16 4 20 9 5 14 13 2 15 3) 20 05 8 S 13

20

H.—6.

Table XIV.—Former Occupation of Patients.

Total. Occupations. Auckland. Christchurch. Duaodin (Seacliff). Hokitika. Napior. Nelson. Wellington. Ashburn Hall (Private Asylum). M. F. T. 10 1 2 0 2 2 0 2 10 1 2 0 2 5 0 5 2 0 2 10 1 5 0 5 3 0 3 10 1 7 0 7 10 1 2 0 2 2 0 2 10 1 10 1 23 0 23 8 0 8 10 1 3 0 3 4 0 4 10 1 10 1 10 1 2 0 2 92 0 92 2 0 2 17 0 17 3 0 3 3 0 3 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 2 0 2 10 1 2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 3 0 3 10 1 10 1 2 0 2 10 1 4 0 4 10 1 10 1 10 1 2 0 2 10 1 3 0 3 10 1 10 1 2 0 2 2 0 2 10 1 10 1 4 0 4 10 1 10 1 3 0 3 10 1 Oil Oil Oil 0 58 58 0 3 3 0 37 37 0 3 3 Oil 0 3 3 Oil 0 9 9 0 26 26 0 2 2 Oil 0 4 4 16 5 21 25 4 29 M. F. T. M. P. T. m. p. T. M. F. T. .[. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T. 10 1 Accountant Bakers Blacksmiths.. Barber Bricklayers Bootmakers Book-keepers Bushmen Clerks Cooks Cabinetmaker Carpenters Cooper Carters Drapers Express-driver Engineer Farmers Farm labourers Fireman Grooms Gumdiggers Grocer Gardener Gaol warder. . Iron-workers Labourers Medical practitioners Miners Maoris Mariners Music-teacher Mill owner .. Mechanic Moulder Officer Painters Prisoner Policemen Postmen Ploughmen .. Kabbittcrs Hope-maker Restaurant-keeper Station managers Steward Seamen Soldier Shoeblack Shingler Schoolmasters Stationer Settlers Stevedores Station-hand Storekeepers Shepherds Sheep-farmer Throwster Tailors .. Teacher Upholsterer Vagrants Waiter Boardinghouse-keeper Barmaid Cook Domestic duties Dressmakers House duties Housekeepers Milliner Nurses Prostitute .. Seamstresses Servants Schoolmistress Washerwoman Vagrants No occupation Unknown 10 1 10 1 10 1 8 0 8 4 0 4 10 1 10 1 10 1 15 0 15 10 1 3 0 3 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 2 0 2 10 1 8 0 8 i '6 i 10 1 15 0 15 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 3 0 3 2 0 2 10 1 2 0 2 10 1 4 0 4 10 1 10 1 10 1 3 0 3 5 0 5 10 1 2 0 2 39 '6 39 6 0 0 10 1 2 0 2 3 0 3 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 3 0 3 9 0 9 10 1 10 1 3 0 3 2 0 2 2 0 2 10 1 i '6 i 10 1 i '6 i 5 0 5 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 3 0 3 10 1 13 0 13 10 1 10 1 2 0 2 i "o i 10 1 8*0 2 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 2 0 2 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 3 0 3 10 1 10 1 2 0 2 2 0 2 i "o i 10 1 1 1 10 1 1 0 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 2 0 2 oil 0 11 0 15 15 0 2 2 0 2 2 Oil Oil 0 2 2 oil 0 4 4 0 29 29 0 11 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 S 2 oil 0*5 5 0 18 13 oil oil 0 18 18 Oil 0 5 5 Oil 0 11 0 11 0 2 2 0 13 13 0 6 6 0 5 5 0 3 3 oil 3 4 7 2 13 7 18 0 11 0 4 4 4 0 4 14 2 16 10 1 1 "o 1 9 "i 10 45 26 71 111 58 169 16 4 20 9 5 14 13 2 15 39 26 65 8 5 13 S94160 451 Totals 53 34 87

H.—6.

21

Table XV.— Showing the Expenditure for the Year 1885.

Table XVI.— Average Cost of each Patient per Annum.

4—H. 6.

Total. Items. Auckland. Christchurch. Dunedin (SeacliflJ. Hokitika. Napier. Nelson. Wellington. Total. gjpe £ s. d. 1,000 0 0 250 0 0 V86 9 0 339 14 1 188 0 2 498 12 0 157 14 9 8,875 10 9 430 0 0 464 3 4 497 16 4 11.276 12 8 13.277 15 8 2,062 5 11 4,069 16 8 144 3 1 92 4 8 339 17 5 5,236 17 9 [Inspector-General J Accountant * 1 Medical fees (Contingencies.. Deputy Inspectors .. Visiting Medical Officers Assistant Medical Officers Superintendents House-stewards Clerks Matrons Attendants and servants Eations Fuel and light Bedding and clothing Surgory and dispensary Wines, spirits, ale, and porter Farm.. Necessaries, incidental and miscellaneous £ s. a. 18 0 2 120 0 0 300' 0 0 97 10 0 77 10 0 2,264 7 0 2,607 17 3 484 13 10 1,157 17 10 31 4 7 39 18 0 243 8 2 690 15 10 £ s. d. 50' 0 0 7 7 0 600 0 0 300 0 0 150 0 0 100 0 0 2,574 15 10 2,894 13 6 787 1 7 602 8 6 44 6 9 6 0 0 15 0 649 13 10 £ s. d. 50* 0 0 157 14 9 600 0 0 130 0 0 90 0 0 100 0 0 2,945 12 0 3,681 13 5 348 9 6 1,102 5 5 26 14 10 22 6 8 57 5 11 2,432 0 1 £ s. d. UU- 5 0 300' 0 0 £ s. d. 30' 0 0 50 0 0 35' 0 0 £ s. d. 206' 0 0 140 10 9 £ s. d. 46' 0 0 406' 0 0 126 13 4 100 0 0 1,711 13 9 2,130 0 7 236 8 6 663 17 2 24 11 5 5 14 0 9 9 0 727 5 2 £ s. a. 1,000 0 C 250 0 ( 786 9 ( 339 14 ] 188 0 5 498 12 ( 157 14 < 2,375 10 i 430 0 ( 464 3 I 497 16 I 11.276 12 i 13.277 15 f 2,062 5 11 4,069 16 i 144 3 ] 92 4 f 339 17 I 5,236 17 S 77 10 0 844 0 9 827 10 9 66 19 8 247 2 0 208 6 8 134 0 8 43 7 4 18 6 9 2 5 6 0 4 6 42 16 4 727 16 8 941 19 6 95 5 6 277 19 0 15 0 0 14 5 0 28 9 4 370 18 11 3 16 6 360' 5 8 518 3 43,486 14 3 5,075 18 9 Totals .. 8,192 2 8 835 3 3 8,767 12 0 830 9 2 11,744 2 7 1,291 12 9 2,848 10 4 187 5 8 527 9 8 33 17 5 2,855 1 0 717 16 11 6,175 12 11 1,179 13 7 43,486 14 5,075 18 38,410 15 6 Actual expenditure 7,356 19 5 7,937 2 10 10,452 9 10 2,661 4 8 493 12 3 2,137 4 1 4,995 19 4 38,410 15 * Not included in Table XVI.

Asylums. Provisions. Salaries. Bedding and Clothing. Fuel and Light. Surgery and Dispensary. Wines, Spirits, Ale, and Porter. Necessaries, Incidental and Miscellaneous. Total Cost per Patient. Repayment for Maintenance. Cost per Head less Bepayrnents. Cost per Head previous Year. Decrease in 1885. Increase in 1885. Auckland .. Christchurch Dvmedin (Seaclifl) .. Hokitika Napier Nelson Wellington £ s. d. 7 13 9 9 2 OJ 8 3 7i 8 3 10J 26 17 7 9 6 6J 11 14 Of £ s. d. 8 4 8| 11 2 If 8 11 9£ 13 5 10 58 13 4 11 0 OJ 12 16 Hi £ s. d. 3 6 8f 1 17 10J 2 8 llf 2 9 11 3 13 4 2 15 OJ 3 12 ll| £ s. d. 1 7 11 2 9 6 0 15 5} 0 13 3 8 13 5J 0 18 10J 1 5 llf £ S. d. 0 1 9J 0 2 9| 0 0 ll| 0 9 1 0 2 11J 0 2 8£ £ s. d. 0 2 8J o o 4 0 0 llf 0 0 9 0 0 lOf 0 2 9} 0 0 7J & s. d. 1 19 9} 2 0 10£ 5 6 ll| 3 11 4 13 3 3 13 5J 3 19 11 £ s. d. 23 11 1£ 24 14 9| 26 1 11J 28 11 Of 105 9 11 28 5 41 33 18 7i £ s. d. 2 8 1J 2 12 2| 2 17 4} 1 17 1 6 15 5£ 7 2 If 6 9 74 £ s. d. 21 3 0 22 2 7 23 4 6| 26 14 11| 99 14 5f 21 3 2J 27 9 0 £ s, d. 25 10 8 23 1 11J 29 6 3J 28 10 2J 41 7 2f 27 16 5J 26 13 6J £ b. d. 4 7 8 0 19 4J 6 1 8§ 1 15 2f £ s. d. 58 V 3 6 13 2f 0 15 5| Averages 27 13 8 3 8 4J 24 5 3f 26 8 8J 2 3 4J

H.—6

22

Table XVII. —Showing Amounts received on Account of Maintenance, &c., during the Year 1885.

Table XVIII. —Expenditure, out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, on Asylum Buildings during the Financial Year ended 31st March, 1886, and Liabilities for the same.

Table XIX.—Total Expenditure, out of Immigration and Public Works Loan, for Repairs and Buildings at each Asylum, from 1st July, 1877, to 31st March, 1886.

Table XIX.— continued.

{Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,500 copies), £20 138. 9d..]

By Authority: Geoboe Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBs.

Asylums. Produce on Repayment for Articles sold. Maintenance. 'sss-hSSg' Total. Luckland .. ihriatohurch )unedin (ScaolifE) .. lokitika .. Japier lolson Wellington Totals .. £ s. d. 73 1 3 102 8 10 28 2 8 36 6 0 74"8 6 89 9 3 403 16 6 £ s. d. 762 2 0 727 13 4 1,186 3 6 150 19 8 33 17 5 643 8 5 903 18 6 £ s. d. £ s. d. 0 7 0 77 6 7 £ s. d. 835 3 3 830 9 2 1,291 12 9 187 5 8 33 17 5 717 1G 11 1,179 13 7 186 5 10 4,408 2 10 186 5 10 77 13 7 5,075 18 9

Asylums. Net Expenditure to Slst March, 1886. Liabilities on Slst March, 1886. Luckland Wellington 'hiistchurch )uneain (SeacliS).. lolson lokitika Cr. £ s. a. 138 6 3 16 10 0 2,131 17 2 1,729 5 6 7 15 6 16 11 9 £ s. a. 438 0 0 13G 3 0 3,828 2 4 1,461 15 6 925 13 4 Cr. 4,023 16 2 16 10 0 Totals 4,007 6 2 6,789 14 2

Asylums. 1877-78. 1878-79. 1879-80. 1880-81. 1881-82. 1882-83. LUckland Yellington .. 'hristchurch )unedin (Seaoliff) Tapier lokitika lelson £ s. d. 4,183 1 4 90 0 0 205 7 3 £ s. a. 5,150 15 7 3,797 15 11 1,239 11 6 2,690 10 2 £ s. d. 11,559 7 6 1,453 17 10 7,255 17 3 6,447 10 10 £ s. a. 8,144 11 8 6,517 10 11 18,590 3 4 6,185 5 8 87 0 0 44 17 11 34 16 0 £ s. a. 6,132 13 10 1,305 18 2 7,110 17 10 12,037 11 2 60 0 0 £ s. a. 1,218 10 1 630 19 £ 1,776 3 1C 27,260 12 C 275'l9 0 722* 1 11 51 18 6 765 19 1 Totals 4,478 8 7 13,154 12 2 27,438 15 4 39,604 5 6 2G,698 19 6 31,652 5

Asylums. 1883-84. 1884-85. 1885-86. Total j Expenditure. Less Amounts recovered since 1st July, 1877. Net Expenditure. lUoklana Wellington Wellington (Porirua Eoaa Asylum) 'hristchurch )uneain (Seacliff) lapier lokitika Iclson £ s. a. 9,341 7 6 4,633 3 1 2,750 0 0 £ s. a. 3,216 14 8 1,204 16 9 £ s. a. 138 6 3 £ s. a. 49,075 8 11 19,634 2 4 2,750 0 0 £ s. a. 20*12 6 s, s. a. 49,075 8 11 19,613 9 10 2,750 0 0 8,584 9 1 32,128 5 8 5,490 7 10 15,081 1 6 2,131 17 2 1,729 5 C 52,384 15 1 103,560 2 6 147 0 0 1,059 10 7 1,470 2 6 2013 6 52,384 15 1 103,539 9 0 147 0 0 1,059 10 7 1,470 2 6 609*13 5 1611 9 7 15 6 Totals 58,046 18 9 24,993 0 9 4,023 16 2 230,081 1 11 41 6 0 230,039 15 11

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Bibliographic details

LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF THE COLONY (REPORT ON) FOR 1885., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1886 Session I, H-06

Word Count
17,692

LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF THE COLONY (REPORT ON) FOR 1885. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1886 Session I, H-06

LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF THE COLONY (REPORT ON) FOR 1885. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1886 Session I, H-06

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