LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN THE COLONY.

15

G.—No. 27.

and to insure its always presenting that neatness of appearance without which the approaches to an institution such as the Asylum are likely to produce on visitors a first impression unfavourable to the persons in charge, and such as perhaps the good order of the house itself would hardly remove. I think that the whole of the grounds ought now to be laid out on some general plan to be gradually carried out, especially in regard to planting, so as to secure shelter by outer belts of evergreens against the cutting N.E. and S.W. gales so prevalent in Canterbury. A greatly improved local climate would thus be gained about the grounds for the benefit of the invalids and patients generally. I have, &c, J. W. Hamilton, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Inspector, Sunnyside Asylum.

PEOVINCE OF OTAGO. No. 10. His Honor J. Macandrew to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, 26th June, 1872. Enclosed I have the honor to transmit Inspector's Eeport and Supplementary Eeport on the Dunedin Lunatic Asylum for the year ending 31st March, 1872, together with copy of my reply acknowledging receipt of the same. I also forward copy of the Eeport of the Medical Officer for the same period. I may observe that the total expenditure by the Provincial Treasury on the establishment during the year amounted to £4,367, less £949 received for keep of patients. I may add that, with a view of rendering the Asylum as far as possible self-supporting, the Provincial Government has under its favourable consideration the suggestions embodied in the respective reports relative to the establishment of a farm. I have, &c, J. Macandrew, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure 1 in No. 10. Dr. Hulme to Mr. D. Eeid. Sir, — Dunedin Lunatic Asylum, 23rd May, 1872. I have the honor to submit to you the Annual Eeport of this Institution for the year ending 31st March, 1872. Also appended are statistical tables, (especially Table XL,) showing the yearly increase of tho insane in the Province of Otago. On the 31st March, 1871, there remained in the Asylum 127 patients, of whom 83 were males, and 44 females. During the year ending 31st March, 1872, 54 males and 17 females have been admitted; the total number under care and treatment for that period being 198, and the daily average 14:*. There have been discharged from the Asylum, within the twelve months, 35 recovered, 2 relieved, and 8 died; total, 45: leaving 104 males, and 49 females. Total, 153 patients under care and treatment, which shows an increase of 26 from the corresponding date of last year. It may be stated, that although Dunedin and suburbs supply to the Asylum the largest number of patients, yet tho Oamaru and Wakatipu districts have forwarded more patients this year than any previous year. The number of patients from the Invercargill district is also increasing: during the last twelve months 7 patients have been admitted from that district. As shown in Table 1., the number, 35, discharged recovered gives a percentage of 50 on the admissions, and 18 upon the total number under treatment; and referring to Table XL, of the 589 patients admitted since the opening of the Asylum, 369 were discharged recovered, giving a percentage of upwards of 626, which may be considered satisfactory. Table 11. represents the number (8) of deaths for the past year, length of residence in the Asylum, age, and cause of death. The main annual mortality is 4 per cent, upon tho total number treated. In accordance with the Lunatics Act, an inquest was held in each case. As provided in clause 64 of " The Lunatics Act, 1865," twelve patients wore allowed out on trial for certain periods, and at the expiration were discharged; and many of the inmates have been allowed from time to time to go home and visit their friends, with good results. Eeferring to Table V. (Social Condition), more than 50 per cent, of the admissions are single, many of whom, on being brought to the Asylum, were clothed in filthy rags, and without any means when recovered to go out into the world again. Such as recover are decently clothed and money given to them by the Government, to assist them to find employment. The A sylum authorities also endeavour to obtain situations for others, and without exception all have given satisfaction to their employers. At present there are three on the Asylum staff who were formerly patients in the institution : of whom it can be said that more painstaking servants in their duties cannot be found ; they take a great interest in the welfare of the establishment, and to me they appear to have a more than usual warmth to the helpless inmates they now serve. As provided by " The Lunatics Act, 1868," the Inspector visited the Asylum monthly during the year. He saw all the patients at each visit, and inspected every part of the Asylum ; also the food, bedding, and all other necessaries provided for their proper care and treatment. The books and documents required to be kept were examined and signed by him. The Inspector, at each visit, reported in his book favourably of the institution, but from time to time pointed out tho necessity of further accommodation being provided for the increasing number of male patients. A new ward will be commenced immediately after the Estimates have passed the Council. A distinct ward will also be required for Chinese lunatic patients, seven of that nation being at present in the Asylum. This ward is very much required, as the habits of the Chinese lunatics are very disagreeable to the Europeans. The miner especially very strongly shows his aversion to the Chinese.