5

H.—4

the refectory and some of the female dormitories. Here, permit me to observe, that a more perfect system of ventilation in this part .of the building is, in my opinion, indispensably necessary. In conclusion, I beg most respectfully to submit that I have spoken openly to Dr. Aickin and to Mr. Lowrey my disapprobation of all and everything calculated to create all offensive or unpleasant smells in the building, but I am very sensible at the same time that the blame lies not with them. The female refectory particularly has always had an offensive smell; but in justice to the Matron and the female attendants it may be very true what they assert, that the premises do not admit of a free circulation of wholesome air, so essentially necessary where so many are congregated and sleeping together. No doubt greater space and room are requisite for purer air, and a proper classification of the patients; but in my opinion a better system of ventilation should be at once attended to. I have, &c, H. D. Morpeth, The Provincial Secretary, Auckland. Inspector of the Lunatic Asylum.

Enclosure 3 in No. 2. The Peovincial Seceetaey to the Eesident Suegeon. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 4th February, 1876. I have the honor to enclose an extract from the Inspector's annual report upon the Provincial Lunatic Asylum, in which it is stated that the custom prevails of allowing all worn-out clothing to accumulate until the end of each year, and I have to request that you will inform me whether this allegation is correct, and, if so, why and under what authority this " corruption," as the Inspector calls it, has been allowed to accumulate. I have, &c, Eeadeb Wood, The Eesident Surgeon, Provincial Lunatic Asylum. Provincial Secretary.

Enclosure 4 in No. 2. The Eesident Suegeon to the Provincial Seceetabt. Sib, — Provincial Lunatic Asylum, Auckland, Bth February, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, and also an extract from the Inspector's annual report upon this Asylum, in which it is stated that " the custom prevails of allowing all worn-out clothing to accumulate until the end of each year." This has been the practice since the opening of this Asylum, and before I became connected with it. The storekeeper is required "to give an account of all stores received and expended." Acting under this direction, he has caused all worn-out and useless articles to be placed in one of the cellars at the extremity of the building —they are vaults only used for storing coals, potatoes, &c, and quite remote from the asylum, i.e. the part in which the patients- reside. The old clothing, useless articles of kitchen furniture, &c, have been placed in this vault by the storekeeper, with the view of showing the Inspector that such articles were worn out and wholly unfit for use. Once annually, during eight years, they have been inspected by the several Visiting Inspectors, who certified that these articles were condemned as useless. As to the infection arising from these articles, I know nothing whatever. There may bo a musty smell from this vault, but nothing more. There have been no infectious diseases since I. took charge of the medical treatment of the inmates. The place in which these articles were stored awaiting inspection is quite remote from the patients' quarters ; and if it were possible to communicate any infection whatever, the patients could have no access to it, as it is in a totally different part of the building. I beg to state that during more than seven years I have never known of more than one case of disease likely to spread ; it was a case of typhoid fever inadvertently sent from the Thames as a case of acute mania, which lat once recognized and treated accordingly. There were no more cases. Torn shirts, blankets, &c, stored in this cellar, could not communicate infection to persons who reside some 100 feet from it. As to " swarming with vermin," the practice has iuvariably been to burn all such clothing forthwith ; and I believe that the patients hitherto have been kept in a perfectly clean and healthy condition. At the same time, lam of opinion that the storekeeper should be permitted to destroy worn-out clothing when proved useless, and certify accordingly. In conclusion, I must remark that our worthy Inspector's fears regarding infection from such a source seem to be greatly exaggerated, inasmuch as after eight years' inspection of worn-out clothing and other articles condemned as useless, I have never met with a single case of disease which could be attributed to such an origin. I have, &c, Thos. Aickin, M.D., The Provincial Secretary. Eesident Surgeon.

Enclosure 5 in No. 2. The Provincial Secbetaet to the Inspector of Lunatic Asylums. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 11th February, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the sth instant, in reply to my inquiry regarding the accumulation of worn-out clothing in a state of corruption, as described in your annual report.