H.—2a,

The buildings now assigned to the insane were originally intended to be a temporary residence for refugees from New Plymouth during the war at Taranaki, and whilst there were only a few lunatic persons in this province these small and low buildings, of slight construction, served tolerably well for an asylum; but during several past years the number of inmates—many of whom have been brought from the gold fields settlements on the West Coast—has so much increased as to render such an arrangement quite unfit for the safe keeping and proper treatment of the insane. The division occupied by female lunatics is however sufficiently well adapted for use as a temporary asylum, and most of them appear to be comfortably lodged, and kindly treated; but the dayrooms, sleeping-rooms, and airing yard occupied by the male lunatics, are small, confined, damp, out of repair, many of the windows are broken, and altogether such as to render the condition of the inmates very pitiable. There are four men and two women who, in consequence of idiocy or violence, and dirty habits, have for a considerable perjod necessarily been kept in small buildings apart; but these are mere dens, without means of being heated, and otherwise very discreditable to any asylum for the insane. New buildings on a compact and apparently suitable plan have been erected on the highest part of the ground belonging to this institution ; and as most of the rooms were so far advanced as to be used for the reception of immigrants in the month of October last year, I think it is much to be regretted that the new Asylum had not been made available for the insane before the coming of the present winter season. At this time there are forty-five lunatics in the Nelson Asylum, viz., — Males. Females. Total. English ... ... 11 ... 9 Irish ... ... 9 ... 3 Scotch ... ... 6 ... 2 German ... ... 1 Norwegian ... ... 1 Swede ... ... 1 American ... ... 1 Jew ... ... 1 31 14 = 45 Eight were admitted since the 30th of June, 1874 ; six were discharged; and two died. I have seen every one of the inmates, and examined the orders of admission and medical certificates of the insane, which in most cases are according to law. But one lunatic, David Scrimgeour, appears to have been admitted, in the year 1866, only by an order signed by the Superintendent of the province; and another, Henry E. McDonald, by a letter from the Chief Clerk in the office of the Provincial Secretary. The admission of Mary Ann Gardiner, an idiot from her birth, and Sarah Connell, an imbecile from epilepsy, are recorded on the books, but without orders or medical certificates. An order for the admission of Mrs. Preeth, accompanied by the requisite medical certificate, appears to have been .produced but cannot now be found. A medical journal is regularly kept up, but no form of case-book has been supplied {vide " Lunatics Act, 1868," section 25). As far as I can learn, in the greater number of cases the predisposing cause of insanity is intemperance. The Nelson Asylum is under the management of a superintendent, a matron, three male and one female attendant, who is also household servant; in the proportion of about one attendant to eleven lunatics. None of these keepers have had any special training to their duties; but Mr. Butler, the superintendent, has had over eight years' experience in charge of this Asylum, and the medical treatment of the insane inmates is under the control of Dr. L. Boor, Provincial Surgeon, who has been for some time accustomed to the practice in England, and resides in the hospital, at a very short distance from the Asylum. One of the male attendants is paid at the rate of £70, and two at £60 per annum, and the female Jtttendant at the rate of £30 per annum, with which they are not at all satisfied. I have not the means of comparing the rate of their pay with those of persons similarly employed at other Asylums in this colony. But in order to secure the services of attendants possessing the intelligence, firmness, and forbearance required to fit them for an office on which the well-being of the insane so much depends, liberal wages should be given. There is at present no provision for a night watchman. When attendants are being engaged, I think that men able to play on some musical instrument, and being otherwise qualified, should be preferred. Considering the condition of the buildiugs before stated, the lunatics are fairly treated by those in charge. No coercion appears to have been employed during the past twelve months, and only one man, an extremely violent lunatic, has been subjected to a small amount of restraint. But, with the exception of one or two men who can be trusted to work in the open garden, there is no employment whatever for the male inmates. Some of the women take a share of the household work. The food supplied to the lunatics is wholesome and abundant ; but the clothing and bedding of the men is scanty, of poor materials, and very untidy. Good strong corduroy suits, shirts, hats, strong boots, and a change for Sundays and holidays, would add much to their comfort and self-respect. Clergymen of the Church of England and the Eoman Catholic Church occasionally visit the Asylum, but there is no regular Divine service on Sundays. There is a small collection of mostly old books, to which the inmates have access, and concerts, dances, and excursions have occasionally been got up for their benefit, chiefly at the expense of private

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