H.—4

10

spirits that must be caused by confinement to airing-yards beyond or over the walls of which the patients can obtain no view. 5. It is greatly to be regretted that the airing-yards of the two wards for the male refractories cannot be similarly reported of favourably. They are sadly cheerless and dreary ; there is no view beyond the walls, and they can only be compared to the yards of a prison. 6. These two yards belong to the old Asylum building erected many years ago, when funds were not abundant, and most things in the colony had to be done on the makeshift system. The " state and condition of this building " is such that it is not worth while to spend any more public money on it, except upon such temporary repairs as are absolutely unavoidable. It should only now be thought of and dealt with as a provisional shed, pending the erection of the male wards which are to form part of the permanent structure, as designed on a general and systematic plan suitable for a large Lunatic Asylum. 7. A considerable portion of the upper floor of the old building is very shaky, and the woodwork of the single cells in the refractory yard is very old and beginning to rot, especially about the floors, which were built too close to the ground. 8. Although all the female patients were removed by the early part of the year to their new wards, and the old building could be then given up entirely for male patients, the additional space has not been sufficient for them, because they had previously been overcrowded. There is still great want of sleeping accommodation. In the dormitories the beds are only one foot apart, the hammocks only one foot six inches, far too close for health. Many of the " refractories " can only have the very best" shake downs "in the day wards. Their cells in the yards are too small and too low, and consequently close and unwholesome for sleeping in. Much additional provision is needed for the comfort of the refractory patients at night. They ought not to be obliged to sleep in the day wards, which moreover are no longer large enough for the numbers placed in them. 9. In fact the old building was only put together bit by bit as patients increased, but upon no general plan laid down to meet future wants. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, if, after fourteen or fifteen years, it is no longer adequate to the present large demands upon it. 10. The " state and condition of the building," as described, sufficiently proves how urgently needed is that wing of the permanent Asylum which has been planned for the reception of male patients, and how indispensable it is that orders be given to put the new work in hand with the utmost promptitude. At the ordinary rate at which large stone or concrete buildings progress here, this new wing would hardly be finished under two years. How the usual increase in the number of male patients is to be provided for in the interval, except at a great cost for temporal accommodation, will be a serious matter for the architect to consider. I would, however, urge, that as the female patients have at last been so thoroughly well cared for and made so comfortable in their new wards, it is only reasonable that the male patients should in their turn be equally well provided for, and with all despatch. 11. While thus remarking on the present defective accommodation and the condition of the old building, it is but right to note that a steady and marked improvement has been going on throughout the institution at Sunnyside during the five years since I was first asked to undertake the Inspectorship. Owing to the very liberal grants from the provincial authorities, the patients are now, in every respect, in a very far better position than they were then. The great necessity in this colony, as in Victoria, is to keep the buildings always in advance ofthe demands for the admission of new patients, the number of whom seems to be always on the increase. 12. As to the "care ofthe patients :" the Keeper and Matron, and the attendants generally, seem to bestow every attention upon the patients' personal cleanliness, and on that of their rooms, their beds, and whatever else they have to use. Their dress is neat, and generally their bodily health seems to be good. The rations are wholesome, and the food is properly cooked. There is now a regular night attendant engaged for all the female wards, as there has for a long time past been for the male wards, the wards are all kept well-aired, and are always sweet and wholesome during the day time. But at night the male sleeping wards cannot be kept so, owing to the want of sufficient space. Necessarily this must prejudicially affect the health of the male patients, more especially of those in the refractory wards. As a set-off, on the other hand, the increase in the staff of attendants and the relief afforded by the completion of the new female wards, and the separation of the male patients in one building, has rendered it possible to send a larger number from the refractory wards out to work on the ground. One great want has long been felt—that of a secure fence round the whole of the ground. It would then be possible to take all but the very worst of the refractories out to walk every day, without the risk of their escaping. Their bodily health- ought to improve by this change from their very dreary airing-yards. 13. As to amusements, which afford such important assistance in restoring to health those who are curable, the keeper, Mr. Seager, is untiring in his exertions to provide them. The Recreation Hall has been enlarged, aud the organ improved. Balls and parties are frequently given, plays are acted in which some of the convalescents sometimes take a part, various professional people, when visiting Christchurch, are exceeding kind in responding to Mr. Seager's requests that they should give some of their performances at the Recreation Hall. Music and singing is kept up as much as possible among the patients and attendants. In summer excursions are taken into the country, and also to Sumner for sea-bathing. lam glad to note that the game of cricket has been introduced this year. 14. Divine service is held every Sunday ; the service is mostly semi-choral. There is a very fair choir, of which some of the patients are members, and regular weekly choir practices are kept up under the supervision of Mr. Berkeley, the organist. The Rev. W. Somers Cocks, as chaplain, visits regularly on week-days. His influence is very beneficial with many of the patients. 15. The number of patients on the 31st December, 1875, was—Males, 112 ; females, 68; in all, 180. This is fast approaching just double the maximum number (100) at which Dr. Paley reports that a resident medical officer should be appointed. By the end of 1876, and at the usual rate of increase, there will be 200 patients. There is, however, no residence built for a medical officer, nor is there one for the keeper. He and his family have rooms in the old building, which are far too few and small for the number who occupy them to expect to remain in constant good health.