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removed. Provision will be made for the worst class of male patients on elevated ground, and I anticipate very good results from their altered surroundings. The asylum was visited by me on the 17th November, 1882, on the 20th and 21st November, and again on the sth January, 1883. The following entries were made by me in the Inspector's Book :— Paid a cursory visit to the asylum, accompanied by the Hon. T. Dick. Went through all the wards and dormitories. 17th November, 1882. On Monday and Tuesday, the 20th and 21st, I made a thorough inspection of the asylum, and saw all the patients with the exception of 2 males and 2 females absent on leave. With very few exceptions all appeared to be in fairly good health, only 3 being in bed (2 males and 1 female), and altogether only 7 under medical treatment. One male patient was suffering from typhoid fever, but was making satisfactory progress toward recovery. On inquiry, I learned that he had spent a good deal of time in loitering about the water-closets ; otherwise the outbreak of the disease could not be accounted for. Dr. King at once had the sanitary arrangements well looked to and cleansed, and the infection has not spread further. The other cases of sickness call for no remark. The patients generally were free from excitement and fairly contented ; only two or three made any complaint to me, but I satisfied myself that they were properly detained, though against their will. Of the males, 25 were returned as employed out of doors, and 4l in some form of useful indoor work ; 46 females are usefully occupied. I found one man under restraint, and satisfied myself that, under existing arrangements, this proceeding was necessary for the safety of his fellow-patients and attendants. One woman had been just placed in seclusion on account of excitement, but would shortly be released. Eight males and 3 females were reiurned as wet and dirty; and 12 males and 4 females as not washing, dressing, or feeding themselves. Dinner was served, in my presence, on the female side. It consisted of broth, and mutton either boiled or roasted, witli potatoes ; and, for the payment patients, greens. It was partaken of in an orderly manner, and no complaint made either of quality or quantity. I noticed that the tablecloths were very clean. The front wards and corridors, with the dormitories and single rooms, presented a clean and cheerful appearance, and were fairly provided with books, papers, plants, pictures, and various means of amusement. The bedding was very clean. Straw beds were in general use, though I noticed some which were of hair, and others of flax. A trial has been made of woven-wire mattresses, and, this having been very satisfactory in its result, more have been ordered and will shortly be in use. The bath-rooms and closets, as also the sinks and lavatories, were in good order, and there was a general freedom from offensive smell. The clothing of the patients was also of a satisfactory character. In short, the front portion of the asylum presents all the comforts and appliances (apart from some measure of overcrowding and the want of any proper airing-court) which are needed for the successful care and treatment of the insane. In the back ward and yards I found 18 male and 7 female patients, with accommodation and surroundings of the most wretched character. So much has already been said and written of these portions of the asylum that I can only think it necessary to urge their demolition with the least possible delay. I found them even worse than anything I had imagined of them. These patients can only be expected to go from bad to worse unless removed; and no other accommodation exists for them in the asylum. On inquiry, I found that the attendants in charge of the back wards take their meals there. Dr. King will arrange to relieve them, so that they may dine in the hall if they desire to do so. Two of these patients go out to work, and one or two others are usefully employed. All are occasionally taken out for a walk within the asylum grounds. - No special rooms are set apart for the sick and feeble, but this class is associated on the male side with the payment patients, which is by no means a desirable arrangement. Divine service is performed on Sunday only, the Protestant service being usually attended by 87 patients, and the Roman Catholic by 31. No service is held in the wards, but the sick are visited by ministers when desired. A party of about thirty men goes out of the grounds for a walk every Sunday. Some of the female patients are taken out almost daily. I visited the whole of the estate, and saw the garden and six acres of land lately dug over and sown with oats by home-labour. On inquiry I found that industrious patients are rewarded with tobacco, and are sometimes taken to a circus or other place of amusement. Stimulants form no part of the dietary. Vegetables are grown at home, but are not available in sufficient quantity. The potatoes are purchased. Amusements have a proper share of attention. Bowls and croquet are played, there being no room for cricket. About 100 patients attend a fortnightly dance. The Artillery Baud, through the kindness of Mr. Gray, plays out of doors every fortnight; and good service has been rendered by volunteer conjurors and Christy minstrels. A few patients of each sex enjoy an occasional carriagedrive. The New Zealand Times and Evening Post are kindly supplied by the local press, and the Graphic, Illustrated London News, and Punch are purchased. A very small library also exists. The kitchen, scullery, and store-room are inadequate, as regards both their size and their appliances, and require to be rebuilt. It will then perhaps be possible to vary the monotony of the diet to some extent. A proper dairy also is required. I was glad to find that water is available at considerable pressure in case of fire, with proper hose and hydrants, but no system of fire-drill has yet been instituted. The two wooden shoots erected as fire-escapes would, I fear, prove of little use. There would appear to be no difficulty in providing a proper staircase for this purpose at the rear of each front wing of th<3 building. The laundry is a very poor and unsuitable building. It becomes so full of steam that the door leading into the back airing-court has to be kept open, which is both objectionable and not free from risk of danger to excited patients. A detached drying-room exists, but the heating arrangement is of