LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN THE COLONY.

13

G.—No. 27

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