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to the Commissioners, there is one which has of late been so urgent that the following observations may be permitted : — Water Supply. —The English Commissioners in Lunacy have pointed out the quantity of water which they considered requisite for an asylum, fixing it at the rate of forty gallons per week for each inmate. It is difficult to determine a priori the precise quantity of water that may ultimately bo required in an institution like this with a continually-increasing number of inmates, and it is evident that the supply cannot be too ample, not only for general culinary and cleansing purposes, but also for a complete system of bathing, including hot and cold baths, the douche and shower baths, tho free employment of which has been so frequently followed by the best results, and has so long obtained the sanction of the most experienced practitioners in medicine, that any asylum deficient in the usual appliances for their administration cannot be pronounced perfectly suitable for the treatment of the insane. There is also the much-dreaded possibility of an outbreak of fire, for the speedy suppression of which a most ample supply of water should be available at all times. Present Water Supply. —The supply of pure water is limited to a few casks obtained from springs lying adjacent to the Asylum grounds, and is carried day by day a distance of about half a mile. Four tanks are supplied to catch all the rain which falls upon this extensive slated roof; this last supply is usually exhausted in four days during dry weather. The force-pump yields a scanty supply of impure water, wholly unfitted for culinary purposes. Much inconvenience and delay necessarily accrues from the present methods of obtaining water in sufficient quantity to supply the current requisites of the Asylum, and to meet any emergencies which may arise. It is now admitted that an bundant or possibly unlimited supply of good water can be obtained on the scoria grounds adjacent to tho Asylum, which, by a system of piping, aided if required by a suitable hydraulic machine, might bo made available for every requirement. Drainage. —Notwithstanding the deficiency of pure spring water, it unfortunately happens that owing to the heavy clay soil upon which the Asylum stands, the ground becomes saturated with surface water during the rainy season ; the courtyards becoming, after heavy rainfall, mere puddles of mud, rendering them quite unavailable for the inmates. This also applies to the paddock, which, having never been drained, allows the water to accumulate on the surface, and which in winter becomes quite poached and spoiled by any horses or cattle passing over it. Dietary. —Apart from the foregoing, there is no serious ground of complaint against the suitability or management of this Asylum. The dietary scale is liberal, as may be seen in the table appended to this report. The food, well cooked, is served with strict punctuality at stated periods three times in the day. Dormitories. —The dormitories are comfortable although crowded ; there is an ample supply of good bed clothing, varying in quantity according to the season. Tho beds are of straw, which seems to answer very well for the majority of the inmates; but for cases of extreme emaciation or debility, hair mattrasses would be much preferable. Upon the whole, however, I have not heard any complaints made by the more rational inmates against their beds and other dormitory requisites. It is certain that extreme cleanliness can bo better maintained by the substitution of fresh clean material for any soiled or impure bedding, than by any process of drying or cleansing ; head straw, on account of its low price, is the only material which can be extensively employed in a pauper asylum. Clothing. —The clothing of the inmates might possibly be more in accordance with the views of tho hypercritical in all matters relating to the treatment of the insane. If, however, we bear in mind that at least 95 per cent, of the patients admitted into this Asylum wore for everyday costume clothing no better, and possibly worse, than that with which they were furnished on entering it, there can be no cause for complaint on that score. The clothing is such as a respectable working man or woman need not be ashamed of; and every effort is made to keep it clean, and if possible induce the inmates to refrain from destroying it, a propensity which unfortunately prevails in this as in most asylums. "When clothing is furnished by the patients' friends or relatives, they are permitted to wear it so long as it continues suitable ; but in some of these cases it becomes ultimately necessary to clothe such patients in the ordinary house dress. The destruction of clothing is unavoidably greater in an Asylum for tho Insane than elsewhere. It cannot be wholly obviated, without resorting to certain means of coercion or restraint which are opposed to the modern system of treatment; hence it has been usual to allow a destructive patient old and valueless articles of clothing, upon which to exhaust his propensity, rather than place him in a strait jacket, or employ other means of restraint. Exercise. —The grounds surrounding the Asylum having at present only a post-and-rail fence, are not adapted as exercising grounds for patients in general, and it has been found necessary to make a selection of the quieter class who have never manifested a desire to escape, for exercise outside the courtyards; many have been employed in gardening, fencing, cutting firewood, carrying water, and such other useful employment as they were individually adapted for. There have been few skilled labourers, and, with the exception of some useful jobs in carpentry, nothing of importance has been accomplished. An abundant supply of good vegetables and potatoes has 'been obtained from the garden, which has been cultivated by tho spade. About two acres of potatoes are now ripe, all of which has been the result of the labour of the inmates. Amusements. —Adopting the approved practice in most modern asylums, efforts have been made to provide harmless and healthy amusements for the inmates. There have been always a few who could appreciate efforts of this description; and excursions into the country adjoining the Asylum grounds, picnics, music, and dancing, have afforded gratification to several of the curable and convalescent patients. "Were it possible to bring the influence of the benevolent sane mind to bear more fully upon the feebleness and capriciousness of the insane mind, it is almost certain that restoration to mental health would in many instances be more speedily effected ; but the difficulty of effecting so desirable an object in the mixed multitude located in a large asylum is obviously great. Religious Services. —It is quite certain that some patients find a certain amount of comfort or spiritual consolation in reading books of a religious character, singing sacred music, and otherwise attending to their respective religious observances. Hence the observance of the Sabbath has, as far