H.—9.

15

find seclusion consigned to the same limbo as restraint; our novice would be earnestly warned to avoid degrading his mission as a physician by having anything to do with architecture or high farming; he would be told that hygiene was a thing that anybody could understand, and he would hear from a full chorus that attendants —the agents on whom he would have to rely to carry out his orders—were a degraded class and unworthy of confidence. It would probably occur to our supposititious doctor that his strictly medical duties would be rather restricted, and would be limited chiefly to diagnosis, though of pathology he might have his fill; and if he had not a strong will of his own he might not inaptly compare himself to the man with the ass, in the fable, but that instead of losing his donkey he might almost be tempted to wish that he had gone over the bridge himself and down the stream in place of the quadruped. The liability to abuse of any agent or system forms no adequate ground for its rejection. If its use can be proved to be really beneficial, and if a man has satisfied himself on sufficient evidence that restraint or seclusion, blood-letting or alcohol, narcotics, purgatives, tonics, or any other mode of treatment, is beneficial to his patients, I hold that he ought to act according to his own judgment, without regard to the fashion of treatment prevailing in his days." I use seclusion as little as possible. Restraint is necessary for surgical reasons at times. I seldom use it, but have had occasion to do so for other than surgical reasons. I prefer, however, to restrain a patient by the presence of extra special attendants. If a patient has two sensible and kind attendants always with him he will seldom attempt any mischief, and if the presence of the attendants worries him, he is better in seclusion. The proper treatment of the lunatics in this colony—accommodation having been provided for them —simply depends upon an adequate supply of well-paid attendants, in the proportion of one to ten patients (night attendants, artisans, servants, and outdoor labourers not to be included), supervised by well-trained medical men as superintendents. I beg to acknowledge with thanks the appreciation by the Government of my services. I have to thank the officers and attendants of this institution, who have endeavoured, with few exceptions, to follow out not only the rules and regulations, but also, in a willing, cheerful, and honorable manner, have attended to my slightest wish. I regret much the removal of two male attendants by death, Attendants Newman and Kinsman. Attendant Newman died of hyperpyrexia in typhoid fever ; he was infected while at work in the wards. He was respected by all; his presence was a guarantee for order, discipline, and kindness. Attendant Kinsman is missed from his place in the choir. I have also to acknowledge the courtesy of the officers of the Public Works Department in attending to my wishes in the many improvements accomplished, and to thank the architect for the proposed administrative block for the special pains he has taken to endeavour to procure efficiency in every detail. With the deepest respect and grief I wish to refer to the death of my late Inspector, Dr. Skae, whose well-known reputation and ability attracted me to remain in the colony and work under him. While he lived, his kindly, sound, and practical advice was of the utmost service to me, and on his last visit of inspection here he took the greatest interest in every particular, pointing out to me any defects which he noticed in my administration in a firm but conciliatory manner. His presence was a stimulus for " better things " beyond the daily routine work—for higher aims and motives. However good the management, no public institution is safe without efficient inspection by non-resident honorary officials. To the local Inspector's efforts in thorough and methodical inspection and inquiry when necessary into all accidents or irregularities, I am indebted for having rendered me great assistance in my work. I regret that the Official Yisitors have so seldom visited the institution, and I cannot refrain from expressing the opinion that no institution of this size should be without a committee of management, or, failing that, a larger number of Official Visitors should be at once appointed. I only hope that the Resident Magistrate for each district in Canterbury will make it his duty and pleasure to periodically visit this hospital for the insane, and personally interview the patients whom he has sent in from his respective districts; when from distance impossible, then by deputy. I offer every facility to visitors to inspect the buildings, but I will never allow the patients committed to my charge to be made a " show," or to be exposed to the gaze of the curious.

Return of Estimated Value of Supplies from Parm and Garden to Sunnyside Asylum, and of Sales effected, for the Year 1881. Sales. Supplied to Asylum. £ s. d. £ s. d. Garden produce ... ... ... ... 39 19 0 Potatoes, 36 tons 4 cwt., Contract at 60s. ... 108 12 0 Dripping ... ... ... ... 0 5 0 Garden and farm vegetables, 21,479 lb., at l_d. 134 410 Pat ... ... ... ... ... 4 8 7 Beanß, 54 bushels, at 3s. ... ... ... 8 2 0 Pigs ... ... ... ... ... 76 5 0 Peas, 25 bushels, at 3s. 6d. ... ... 4 7 6 Parm produce, peas ... ... ... 497 Hay, 10 tons, at 40s. ... ... ... 20 0 0 Pork, 1,680 lb., at 3_d. ... ... ... 24 12 11 £125 7 2 Mutton, 1401b., at l£d. ... ... ... 10 5 , ; Eggs, 1,006 d-jt.ii)-nt Is. 3d. per das. ... 5 4 9_ £431 11 7. Paem and Garden Peoduce supplied to Asylum from Ist January to 31st December, 1881. Potatoes, 81,076 lb.; cabbages, 5,497 lb.; radishes, 92 lb.; rhubarb, 1,113 lb.; french beans, 555 lb.; apples, 185 lb.; carrots, 4,650 lb.; onions, 966 lb.; tomatoes, 255 lb.; lettuce, 756 lb.; beetroot, 716 lb.; cauliflowers, 842 lb.; vegetablemarrows, 68 lb. j quinces, 71 lb.; turnips, 747 lb. j thyme, 12 lb.; red cabbages, 117 lb.; parsnips, 4,159 lb.; parsley, 29 lb.; horse-radish, 29 lb.; celery, 20 lb.; broccoli, 177 lb,; asparagus, 201 lb. j gooseberries, 202 lb. j strawberries, 20 lb.