3

H—_

Notwithstanding the many disadvantages this institution labours under, I think the foregoing figures will compare favourably with the other Lunatic Asylums throughout the colony, and also with those in the neighbouring colonies. I may here, I think, appropriately remark, that the proportion of discharges in comparison with the admissions, although very good, would undoubtedly be far better if only the friends of the patients showed a natural and becoming anxiety to take them out when informed they were in a fit state to be committed to their care ; but it is a lamentable fact, that the relatives are, generally speaking, exceedingly remiss in this respect, and the consequence is, that many of the patients despondingly sink, and ultimately become confirmed lunatics. I have noticed that if they are not removed at a certain favourable crisis of their malady, the natural tendency is to sink and end in becoming incurable lunatics. I have heard some people express their astonishment at the number of deaths at the Asylum ; but these people talk ignorantly, and as if those admitted into it had all been hale and hearty men and women, whereas the fact is the great majority of them were nothing but mere miserable remnants of mortality—at least 60 per cent, of them—when admitted, and far gone in bodily diseases of all kinds. My only astonishment is that the recoveries are so numerous, and the deaths so comparatively few. It is no more than justice to Dr. Aickin for me to state that he is worthy of all praise for his successful treatment of the patients, and the attention he shows them. The following extract from the New Zealand Herald of the 30th November last goes to corroborate what I have stated. It will also have the more weight when it is borne in mind that Coroners' juries, generally speaking, are far more apt to find fault and censure than to praise:—" The jury returned a verdict, &c, coupled with a rider expressing their feelings that everything had been done for her (the subject of the inquest) that could possibly have been done, and also expressing their satisfaction at the state of the Asylum and patients." Many of the patients still continue to assist in the cultivation of the garden and of the field at the back of the building, and evidently much to the benefit of their health. No coercive measures nor anything like force are allowed in the treatment of the patients. The wet state of the exercising ground during the greater part of the year is still a matter for regret. I suggested what I conceived would remedy it in my last report. I find that heretofore it has pretty much been the practice to allow the foul body linen and wornout garments of the dead and of diseased men and women, swarming with vermin and sweltering in all sorts of corruption, to accumulate until the end of the year, and then to take an account of them and burn or bury them, together with all the useless and worn-out hats and shoes, &c. In a country like this, particularly where infection is so apt to spread, I consider such a practice highly objectionable, and should be put a stop to. The Keeper, in whom every confidence can be reposed, should in my opinion order the immediate combustion or burial of all articles on their becoming unserviceable ; but a heaping up of and a scrutiny of all such filthy materials is as preposterous as it is dangerous, for it were dangerous to touch them except with a pitchfork, and perhaps not safe even then. Whatever has a tendency to prejudicially affect the health of so large a body of men and women as are shut up in the Provincial Lunatic Asylum should be very carefully guarded against. A sense of the responsibility that attaches to the situation I hold constrains me to speak out so very plainly as I have done ; —it is out of the question and wrong to speak mincingly on subjects of such grave importance to the whole community : as least, such is my opinion. I have to express my regret that the appeal I made to the public on behalf of the patients for old illustrated newspapers, old engravings, and books and things of that sort was not responded to, except in the case of three ladies and one gentleman. Perhaps the great distance to the Asylum was the principal reason why the appeal so signally failed. If so, I beg to say I shall gladly take charge of anything that may be sent to my residence, Ponsonby Eoad, as will also Mr. Francis Quick, livery stables, Victoria Street, Auckland. There have been five entertainments given to the patients during the last year. Such of them as are approximating to convalescence take great delight in them ; and the Eesident Surgeon, who believes these things have a curative tendency, does everything in his power to please and gratify the poor afflicted ones under his charge. I have made 52 visits during the past year to the Asylum, and have travelled in connection with its business about 500 miles. I respectfully submit that I should be permitted to engage a cab when I have occasion to go there. The departure of the Whau 'bus from Auckland to anywhere in the neighbourhood of the Asylum is at too late an hour of the day, and does not admit of sufficient time to the Inspector to do all that is requisite when he arrives there. The patients have to be inspected about 10 o'clock a.m. I do not think it can be said I have withheld anything which either the Government or the public would like to know, or should bo made acquainted with.

Discharged during the year Aboriginals -Males. 39 1 Females. 16 1 Total. 55 2 Total 40 17 57 Died during the year ... Aboriginals 10 2 2 1 12 3 Total 12 3 15 Remained in Asylum on 31st December, 1875 Aboriginals 99 3 56 2 155 5 Total 102 58 160