H.—2

6

9. The books of the Asylum are all kept written up closely to date, as the Act prescribes. The " Case Book," however, does not seem to me to come up fully to the requirements of clause 25, in supplying the history " from time to time " of each case, and an account of the " remedies prescribed." But, perhaps, where there is no Resident Medical Officer, it is hardly fair to expect a visiting officer, even though he might call daily, to give to writing up this book the great amount of time which would be demanded of him were the Act to be strictly followed out. 10. There are now 68 patients more than the maximum number, 100, at which Dr. Paley, the Inspector from Victoria, recommends in his report of 25th November, 1873, that a Resident Medical Officer should be appointed. The Visiting Medical Officer, however, according to recent regulations, goes through all the wards every second day, or oftener if required. Formerly he was only required to visit weekly, and afterwards bi-weekly. 11. A very full set of general rules and regulations for the Asylum were gazetted on the 14th January last by His Honor the Superintendent, apparently under authority of clause 188, " Lunatics Act, 1868." They are calculated to be of great service, especially in the guidance of attendants. I found that they were being very fairly observed, on the whole, considering the short time copies had been supplied. 12. Dr. Paley reports very explicitly against allowing inebriates " ever to come into contact with the other inmates." My experience at Sunnyside leads me to a very decided opinion that their presence there is an evil. The Act seems to confer no power to impose " compulsory employment" on " inebriates," nor does it in any way prescribe, or leave to any authority to prescribe, what their "curative treatment" (clause 21) shall be. The result is that they undergo no "treatment" worthy of being so called, and seem almost all averse to any kind of work or employment, and only to "loaf" about the premises idle and useless. In Victoria inebriates are now treated under a special Act, and quite apart from lunatic asylums. It seems very desirable to amend the New Zealand Lunatics Act in the same direction, or, at all events, to give keepers very clear and distinct compulsory power to employ this class of patient at some useful work about the Asylum. 13. In all respects, except as above noted, the arrangements and management of the Asylum at Sunnyside are the same as I have formerly reported, with the addition that steady progress and improvement is regularly going on in proportion as the Provincial Government supply improved accommodation, a larger staff and greater resources, which they continue to do with a most liberal hand. 14. The Medical Officer's visits are frequent and regular; the sick are duly prescribed for; the Keeper and attendants seem to take^ a thorough interest in the patients, who are all kept with the utmost cleanliness in person and dress, and are allowed a full quantity of good wholesome food. The male wards are always well ventilated, and as sweet as their size and the number of inmates will allow. I have only to remark that the airing-yards are dreary, and require shelter from the sun and rain, like the one attached to the female refractory ward of the new building. 15. Mr. Gr. W. Seager, the Keeper, is unremitting in his endeavours to find amusement for his patients ; and so far as regards this important aid towards their recovery, there is nothing left to be desired. I have, &c, J. W. Hamilton, His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury, Inspector, Sunnyside Asylum. Christchurch.

No. 5. Mr. FitzG-eeald to His Honor the Supebintendent, "Westland. Office of the Inspector of the Lunatic Asylum, Sib,— Hokitika, 30th January, 1875. I have the honor to furnish the following report on the Lunatic Asylum at Hokitika for the year ended 31st December, 1874: — Males. Females. Total. The number of patients in the Asylum on December 31,1874, was ... ... ... ... ... 40 13 53 The number at the end of the previous year having been ... 37 15 52 There were received during the year 1874 ... ... 20 4 24 There were discharged cured during the same period ... 12 3 15 Discharged under bond into the custody of friends ... ... 3 2 5 One of the women discharged under bond was subsequently re-admitted into the Asylum, she having become worse whilst with her friends. The deaths during the year were—Males 2, lof epilepsy and lof parslysis; females 2,1 of epilepsy, and lof chronic inflammation of the brain and membranes. Total deaths, 4. The average daily number for the year was 38-59 males, and 1506 females. The average cost of maintenance for each patient per week during the year 1873 was 17s. 9£d.; in 1574 the average cost was lGs. 5f d. The Keeper attributes the decrease to the facts that during the latter year a large quantity of vegetables has been grown in the Asylum Reserve, and that milch cows have been kept. The general health of the patients has been remarkably good. A great many of them appear to be fond of active outdoor employment, of which plenty is provided for those who wish it. Much of the reserve has been cleared and planted with vegetables by the more robust, others work in the gardens or are employed at various trades. The billiard-room, reading-room, and an office, have been entirely built by the patients. The