H.—2.

1875. NEW ZEALAND.

LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN NEW ZEALAND, (REPORTS ON THE).

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

No. 1. Mr. Moepeth to His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Report by the Inspectob on the State of the Peovincial Lunatic Asylum, Auckland, up to the 31st December, 1874. My first visit of inspection to the Provincial Lunatic Asylum was on 2nd April, 1874. Accompanied by the Superintendent-Surgeon, Dr. Aicken, and the Keeper, Mr. Lowrey, I was shown every patient and every part of the building. I was more favourably impressed with the appearance of the patients than I anticipated I should be, both in regard to cleanliness and to orderly behaviour. Their dress, however, was that of felons; but of this more hereafter. I examined all the apartments throughout the building ; the bedrooms occupied by the patients, both male and female; and their refectories. I felt pleased that such cleanliness and order prevailed, and that the patients generally brightened up when the Surgeon-Superintendent came amongst them. My subsequent visits have convinced me that he merits their regard. The attendants were introduced to me, of whom there are eight for the male patients, besides the Keeper and the Night Watchman, and five for the female patients, exclusive of the Matron, besides a Night Nurse, not long since added. Since that period I have had ample opportunity of observing their treatment of the patients committed to their care, and in justice to them I must say, so far as it has come within my own observation, it has been unexceptionally good. I notice their conduct, but Ido not interfere with their duties. Everything throughout the establishment is conducted with the greatest propriety. The Superintendent-Surgeon pointed out to me the overcrowded state of the bedrooms, and the evil results therefrom, both as regards the comfort and the health of the inmates. My subsequent visits and experience all tend to convince me more strongly that unless ample accommodation be speedily provided the consequence will be dreadful. The Superintendent-Surgeon, when called upon at night, as he frequently is, to attend to some suffering or dying patient, has to step over the bodies of patients who, from want of room in the dormitory, are obliged to sleep on the floors of the dayrooms and the passages leading thereto. I may as well remark here that in this Asylum it is utterly impossible to have a proper classification of the patients, from the want of requisite space. In order to the recovery of the patients, I believe it is a sine qua non there should be a classification, and I am assured that in every properly-supported and well-conducted Asylum there is, but I regret to state there can be none in this Asylum. I observe from documents I have seen that both the Superintendent-Surgeon and my predecessor have urged the Government to build an additional wing ; I would also very respectfully recommend it. lam aware that in lieu thereof it has been suggested that the erection of a few cottages would meet the requirements of the case in the meantime. Ido not concur in that opinion ;it would only be adding to the expense, for an additional wing will yet have to be built —it is only a question of time. The conversion of the present chapel into a dormitory for females, which at one time was talked of, would not in the slightest degree benefit the male patients, for the chapel is in the upper story, altogether set apart for the female patients ; whereas the male patients occupy the lower part of the building, where it is so fearfully overcrowded. In giving my opinion in regard to this matter, I feel that I have not exceeded my line of duty, but acted in accordance with the directions to Inspectors contained in " The Lunatics Act, 1868." Where the means are to come from is a matter with which I have no concern, nor would it become me to suggest. The extent of the land attached to the building is about twenty acres—four included in the garden, the remainder surrounding the building. The garden is in a hollow ; the soil deep and exceedingly rich. Vegetables of almost every sort can be and are grown in it amply sufficient for the wants of the patients, by whom alone it is worked. A number of fruit trees have been planted, and it is surrounded by a live fence, which in three years' time will be a sufficient protection. A field of about four acres to the south-east of the building and close to it is planted with potatoes. It is the best field of potatoes I have seen this year in the province. This is the voluntary labour of the patients; there is no hired labour in or about the Asylum. Some like to work, and others object. The greater I—H. 2.