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19th and 20th December, 1884. —On a portion of each of these two days I have made my halfyearly inspection of the Sea View Asylum. Every part of the establishment has been visited, all the patients seen, the books and registers examined and signed, and the usual inquiries made, as prescribed by statute. There are now exactly 100 insane persons here under treatment; of this number, 69 are males and 31 females. No one is at present absent on probation. I find that no one is under medical treatment, nor is any one secluded or in any way mechanically restrained. Seclusion has been sparingly used since my last visit in April, 1884; five patients altogether have been thus treated. The number usefully employed is 78, viz., r59 men and 19 women : this is a large proportion, and indicates that this important matter here receives considerable attention. During my visit not the least noise or excitement was observable. The men were all drawn up on parade for my inspection, and answered readily to their names. No complaints were made, but I received two requests to be liberated. One of the patients alluded to will shortly be discharged ; the other must be retained for the present. The large recreation-hall is now completed, as also is the adjoining dormitory, which has now been occupied for the past two nights by 23 male patients. A very good, detached store has also been erected. The whole of these additions were made, at trifling cost, from the material of the old Immigration Barracks. They form substantial structures, which will last for a number of years, and are excellent for their varied purposes. As matters now stand, the overcrowding in this asylum is entirely remedied., The greatest credit is due to Mr. Gribben, the Superintendent, for his energy and skill in carrying out this great work without any outside assistance; the whole labour having been accomplished by the patients and their attendants in a most workmanlike manner. Regarding the general condition of this asylum it. is difficult to say anything new where perfect order, comfort, and discipline are invariably to be found. Mr. Gribben is constantly making a number of minor improvements, and, with his wife, devotes his entire energies to the welfare of his asylum. Napier. On the Ist January, 1884, there were in this establishment 29 patients, 18 males and 11 females ; 3 males and 7 females were admitted for the first time during the year, and 1 male was readmitted. The total number under care was 40; 1 male and 2 females were discharged as " recovered," and 10 males and 10 females as " relieved " or " not improved;" 1 female died. The total remaining on the 31st December was 16, 13 males and 3 females. I visited this building on the 16th August, 1884, leaving the following report in the Inspector's book : — 16th August, 1884.—Since my last visit 8 patients, viz., 4 men and 4 women, have been transferred to the asylum at Wellington, in accordance with my recommendation. There are on the books to-day 16 males and 10 females, total 26; of these, there are 2 men on remand and 1 woman absent on leave. All are in good health, suitably clothed, and well cared for. One man, A H , recently discharged, has been again admitted, not having any energy in him to look for employment outside the asylum. It might be well to transfer him with several others to Wellington, if room can be made for them there. I examined every part of the establishment, which I found very clean and in excellent order. The outer doors and windows have been repaired and painted, and some new bedding procured. All the books and papers have been examined and found to be in due form and well kept. The interior of the building requires some renovation. The airing-courts have lately been improved by laying down tar pavement. The gardens are very neatly kept. No doubt can be entertained that the asylum is under good management. Nelson. The patients numbered on the Ist January, 1884, 94; 53 males and 41 females. Twelve males and 5 females were admitted during the year for the first time, and 2 males and 1 female readmitted; the total number treated was 114, 67 males and 47 females. Of these there were discharged as " recovered" 6 males and 7 females, 1 male and 1 female as " relieved "or " not improved," and 5 males died. At the close of the year there remained under care 55 males and 40 females; total, 95. The percentage of recoveries on admissions was 65"00; the death-rate 5"10 of the average number resident. I inspected this asylum on the 29th and 30th December, 1884, and wrote the following report: — 29th December, 1884. —I have this day completed my periodical inspection of the Nelson Asylum. There are to-day 55 male and 39 female patients resident, total 94. A short time ago the number was 99. All these patients I have seen, and conversed with those who desired to do so, Regarding two of them I have made entries in the patients-book. 2—H. 10,