3

H.—23

The females have each a chemise, flannel peticoats, and calico print gown, or gown of blue stuff, with slippers and woollen stockings. No regular issue of warm clothing takes place on the approach of winter; but extra clothing can be issued on the order of the Medical Superintendent. The beds are mattrasses filled with straw, and changed frequently ; the bed-clothing—the usual sheets, blankets, and coverlet. In well-conducted asylums in England and Scotland all cleanly patients are supplied with hair beds, which, though more costly at first, must in the end be cheaper than straw, as the latter requires such frequent change. The additional comfort of hair beda, in cases of delicate health, is also of great value ; they are likewise more cleanly. No regular issue of additional bedcovering takes place on the approach of winter; but an extra blanket, or even two, if the patient's circulation is sluggish, is issued, on the order of the Medical Superintendent. There are a few hair beds in use. 8. Personal Cleanliness. —This is secured by daily washing of the hands and face, or oftener if required ; and by a bath, which each patient undergoes once in eight or ten days. In consequence of the deficient supply of water, several are bathed in the same water. There are two lavatories in each division, one shower-bath, and ono plunge bath. No provision for a supply of warm water to these exists, but a can of hot water is generally put into each bath in the winter season. Cold water is supplied from the tanks in the roof of the building, which becomes dry in summer. Prom fifteen to twenty patients are bathed every morning. Pediculi occur but rarely, and are destroyed by mercurial ointment. The Commission recommends the construction of a proper bath-room for each sex in the neighbourhood of the kitchen or boiler, so that warm water may be conveniently supplied. The rooms now used as bath-rooms are patients' single rooms in which a bath is placed against the wall, and are quite unfit for the purpose. Each bath-room should contain two plunge-baths at least, which should be at a distance from the wall, to allow of attendants standing on both sides. The time occupied by using one bath for a number of patients is too great. 9. Exercise and Occupation. —The population consists of about eighty males and thirty-five females. They are exercised by being taken out twice a day in fine weather into the airing courts, and occasionally into the general grounds. Damp weather must often prevent the patients being taken out, as the want of well-made paths is noticeble about the grounds. The labour of the patients might quickly remedy this want. A few of the men are employed assisting in the kitchen, a few more in the garden, some others in cutting firewood, and, speaking generally, about twenty altogether may be regularly occupied. Of the remainder, all would be benefited by proper employment, many would be rendered less noisy and excitable, and many, who though at present ignorant of or unable to work, might be taught an occupation. They should be employed as tailors, shoemakers, carpenters, each under a proper tradesman attendant in a workshop. The largest number should find employment on the farm, under the steward or ploughman. The females are employed in making the beds, mending their clothes, and a few in working for their own amusement. They should have a regular work-room in which all their clothing should be made and mended, and stockings knitted, and a laundry in which all the washing of the establishment should be done by them. At present the washing is done by the prisoners in the gaol at Mount Eden. The economical management of such an institution cannot be carried out without means of employment for the inmates, and no work should bo done elswhere which can be done within the establishment. 10. Amusements. —There is a reading-room, containing a supply of papers and a few games; but it is understood no provision for their maintenance exists. Once a month it was customary to give an entertainment, to which the public was admitted on paying a fee; this was very properly stopped by the Provincial Government. The means of amusement which might be found within the institution seem somewhat deficient. The attendants should be capable of carrying out and taking an active part in the amusements. One qualification for male attendants, in addition to other useful acquirements, should be that he plays some instrument, or sings and dances. On the part of the female attendants, all should be capable of singing and dancing. One night a week should be occupied as a ball night, at which ono or two male attendants should play violin or flute; the others should dance with the female patients. The female attendants should dance wdth the male patients, never with male attendants. The friends and acquaintances of the Medical Superintendent, the attendants, and officials, should bo requested to be present, take part in the dances, and encourage the patients. A second night in the week should be given up to singing, at which the sacred melodies for the Sunday or weekday services should be practised first, and afterwards music of a less serious kind, such as songs, comic or otherwise, introduced, the patients being encouraged to take part. One night might be devoted to reading, another to writing and arithmetic. An occasional theatrical performance might be given ; and, speaking generally, the institution should bo capable of carrying on these amusements without extraneous aid, and they should form a part of the regular duties and routine of the Asylum. One day in the week should be set aside for a number of the quiet male patients to be taken for a walk beyond the Asylum, and another day for the female patients. These walking parties should have each at least two attendants. 11. The Patients. —The numbers have been gradually and steadily increasing since the opening of the Asylum, with occasional slight fluctuations from time to time. The numbers have been lately close upon 120, composed of 82 or 83 males and 35 or 36 females. They seem quiet, contented, and tolerably happy as a rule, and present generally a healthy appearance. The males appear rather more restless and noisy, and somewhat more untidy, than the females, which might be due to their day-room being more crowded. No one seemed to be undergoing punishment or restraint, and all seemed kindly treated, and on very friendly terms with the officials. Every endeavour should be made to elevate the character and soften the temper of the patients as much as possible, and every means tending in that direction should be employed.. Little ameliorations of their position should be practised: a removal from a noisy room to a quiet one, an increased supply of crockery, more knives and forks, the introduction of looking-glasses, brushes and combs, and pictures in the various dormitories, day-rooms, and corridors. Increased tidiness of dress, cleanliness of person, and modesty of demeanour should be