UPON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

15

H—No. 10

Sunnyside Asylum.

Dunedin Asylum,

sent to undergo must be seriously interfered with. He will become despondent, his patience will give way, and there will arise a rancorous and bitter feeling that he is unjustly detained beyond the time required for a complete cure. This feeling will gain strength with brooding over it, or for want of associates, when there is but one patient of his class. This " curative treatment" under clause 21 has once previously been applied at Sunnyside Asylum, and with success. There was every reason to feel assured that the patient whose case is now under notice, would shortly be in a fit state to release. I feel it my duty to represent very urgently that in every asylum an effort should be made to provide separate wards for such patients. Friends and relatives of habitual drunkards would then feel less scruple and hesitation about placing them under treatment. Judging from the two cases mentioned above, it would appear that nothing should be left undone by which the fullest effect can be given to so humanely-conceived a portion of the Lunatics Act, as that by which it is attempted to reclaim the habitual drunkard from a vice which, in the Colonies especially, is known to bring about the ruin of so many families, and the commission of so much aggravated crime. J. W. Hamilton. Inspector provisionally. Mr. J. Heene to Mr. Stowe. Dear Sir, — Dunedin Lunatic Asylum. I beg to forward you last Annual Report of this Asylum. In reference to central establishment, my opinions are already embodied in Dr. Alexander's report supplied to Hon. D. Bell, Esq., and the Inspector's report to Mr. Cooper. By next steamer, I will forward to you, statements " Queries and answers," upon the above important subject. I have, &c, L. Stowe, Esq., Clerk, Legislative Council, James Herne, Wellington. • Manager. The Manager, Dunedin Lunatic Asylum. Dunedin, 30th September, 1871. 1. The General Government has under its consideration the establishment of a Colonial Lunatic Asylum. Are you of opinion that such an asylum is required ? lam of opinion that the time has arrived that such an institution should be erected. 2. State your reasons ? The three principal lunatic asylums in the Colony, are Auckland, Dunedin, and Canterbury; the other places where the insane are kept, are not fit for their proper treatment: namely, gaols, and inconvenient places, where the necessary appliances do not exist for the comfort of the lunatic. (2.) A class of patients called " Wanderers," who have no relatives in the Colony, and who are chronic cases, should be supported by the State. There also will crop up in course of time criminal lunatic patients, for whom the State will be responsible for their safe keeping and support. (3.) Patients could be admitted into the central establishment from the surrounding districts in which it is situated, and from Provinces where the number of patients are too small for them to be kept with economy. The patient would have the advantage of all the best means of treatment for their recovery in a large asylum. 3. Are you of opinion that all chronic incurable patients should be sent to the Central Asylum ? I think it would be injudicious that chronic cases, whose relatives are in or settled in the Provinces, be sent to the Central Asylum, when they could not visit them excepting at great expense, and unnatural to be cut off from them. I have observed form long experience, that very many of the insane are pleased, and show signs of delight when their relatives and friends call to see them. Another reason I give that the principal lunatic asylum should have their fair share of chronic insane, and none should be sent to the Central Asylums without careful and satisfactory investigation : as managers of asylums would show a particular weakness to have their most troublesome and dirty cases sent off to the central establishment. There are other reasons could be given, if necessary, that all incurables should not be sent to the Central Asylum. 4. Tou say the three principal lunatic asylums are Auckland, Dunedin, and Canterbury. In your opinion, where would be the proper place for a central establishment ? Somewhere in Cook Strait, and easy of access, near the seat of Gevernment, and would take in the lunatic patients from all the neighbouring Provinces, and the County of Westland. 5. Being conversant with the management of lunatic asylums, can you state in this case the amount of land and accommodation for lunatic patients required to make a beginning ? I would recommend that at least 200 acres of land should be selected of fair quality—good aspect, with sloping grounds, looking north, the building standing on the rise, so that, with other benefits, a good fall for sewage, irrigation, can be commanded. The accommodation for patients at first might extend to 150 acres ; the building can be so designed that additional room can be provided at a small cost. I would recommend the buildings to be plain, roomy, and all parts easy of access from outside; covered corridors. Each ward to contain all the comforts of a home within itself, viz., large day and dining room, large room at least, two associated dormitories, bath room, pantry, water-closet, and attendant's room ; the outside door of each ward to open into a large and enclosed airing court (two or more wards can use one airing court). Furniture, bedding, clothing, neat and clean, without going into the expenses of luxury. 6. At per head, what do you estimate the above would cost ? £100 per head, in my opinion, would more than cover the entire cost to begin, and as the building extended, the cost would become less from utilizing the labour of the staff of attendants and patients. 7. Do you comprise in the above the cost of farming stock and implements ? No ; the stock and implements do not require to be extensive; at first a good deal would be done by spade culture. There would also be required work-shops, bake-house, brewery, &c. The great object to be obtained is, whde