H.—23

16

be requested to move their officer to complete the telegraph wire between the Asylum and the Police Depot and Fire Brigade Office in Christchurch. 10. Tho value of tho photographing apparatus has again recently been proved in the case of a patient's death. His friends at Auckland would have been unable to identify tho patient by description without the portrait they asked to have sent to them. 11. This being the proper time of year for planting, I beg to recommend that the grounds be prepared for any trees, cuttings, &c, which Government may be ablo to spare for Sunnysido, and that a nursery be formed as recommended in my report of 3rd December, 1872, paragraph 10. This would also be the suitable time for levelling a place for a cricket-ground, and sowing it down or turfing it. In my report of Ist November, 1872, paragraph 7, I mentioned the importance Dr. Paley, Inspector of Asylums from Victoria, attached to the game of cricket as one of tho recreations of interest to all the patients in an asylum, and, with others, greatly conducive towards effecting cures. A supply of bats, wickets, <fee, might be sent home for in the meantime. 12. I found the building and all the premises kept in their usual remarkably cleanly and orderly condition, all sweet and well ventilated. The patients also very clean, both in person and dress, and looking healthy in body. The food of good quality and well cooked. I have, &c., J. W. Hamilton, His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury, Inspector, Sunnyside. Christchurch. P.S.—May I beg a copy of Dr. Palcy's report if any is to be had yet.

lIOKITIKA. No. 11. Mr. G. G. Fitzgerald to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Office of the Inspector of Lunatic Asylum, Sin,— Hokitika, 25th January, 1873. I have the honor to report as follows on the Lunatic Asylums of tho County of "Westland, for the year ended 31st December, 1872 : — At the date of my last report there were two Lunatic Asylums in the County, viz., one in connection with the County Gaol, and one on the Hospital Reserve on the south spit of tho Hokitika River. Neither of the buildings used was at all suitable for the detention of lunatics ; and the disadvantages of having either an hospital for ordinary patients or a gaol connected with a lunatic asylum were found to be very great. I am happy to be able to state that the County authorities have during the past year done their best to place matters on a more satisfactory footing. An entirely now Asylum has been erected on ground adjoining the Gaol, but separated from it by a high fence. The situation is excellent, the building commodious, and the general arrangements for the safe custody and comfort of the patients, will compare favourably with those of any establishment of a like character in the Colony. A portion of the building was completed during July last, and on the 31st of that month all the patients (eleven females) in the Asylum on the Hospital Reserve were brought over to their new quarters. The male patients were removed from tho Gaol buildings into the Asylum on the 20th September. One other great change remaining to bo effected : the house occupied by the Keeper of the Asylum is situate within the Gaol enclosure, and it is clearly advisable either that a keeper's residence should bo built, or that the old one should be removed to the Asylum grounds. Tho distance between the house and tho Asylum is short, but some inconvenience arises at times from tho Keeper not being on tho spot. The matter has been represented to the County Chairman, and I have no doubt that before long tho requisite alterations will be made. I have repeatedly visited the Asylum during the past year, and am thoroughly satisfied with tho manner in which the establishment has been conducted. The staff consists of the Keeper and Matron, one female attendant, and three male attendants. The Keeper is also Clerk. The Medical Officer, Dr. Dermott, visits the Asylum nearly every day. Archdeacon Harper holds Divine service once a fortnight. I understand from the Keeper that the Catholic clergyman has also promised to attend. Various indoor amusements are provided for the patients, including books, newspapers, cards, &c, and there is frequently music and dancing. Out of door the able-bodied patients do a good deal of work in improving the grounds; and so far as practicable, those of them who are mechanics are employed at their respective callings. The great majority of the patients are either labourers or miners. The average health of the patients is very good. The average cost per head per week for each patient is 18s. Bd.; but this does not include the services of the Medical Officer, who is also the County Surgeon. Appended is "A Statement, showing the number of Lunatics maintained at the cost of the County of AVestland during the year ending the 31st December, 1872." I have, &c, G. G. FitzGerald, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums for County of VVestland. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington.