H.—lo

15

The dinner consisted of haricot mutton, with abundance of various vegetables, broth, and bread. I took the opportunity of tasting the broth, which I found to be excellent. Dr. Levinge has recently introduced a new dietary scale, which gives considerable variety on the several days of each week. It is also of a liberal character, such as would surprise the inmates of an English asylum, and appears to give general satisfaction, as I heard no complaints whatever. With the improved cooking arrangements, the increased area of garden in cultivation, and the careful personal supervision, now given, it is improbable that any increase of expenditure will result, but rather the reverse. I examined the other provisions and groceries in stock, and found all satisfactory. The bread is much improved in quality under a new contract. All the milk required is now produced on the estate, and the allowance to each person is ample. All the patients were neatly and suitably clothed. I learn that the whole of the underclothing is now made on the premises ; and not only is a considerable saving shown upon the former contract prices, but the articles are better made and are of better material than formerly: they consequently wear much longer. All the socks worn by patients are also hand-knitted in the asylum. The bedding is well looked after and scrupulously clean. Bach bed has three top blankets and one beneath. The proportion of patients employed is satisfactory. A large amount of useful work has been done about the premises by home-labour. A rocky hill is in course of demolition, the debris being used for levelling a large space of ground behind the asylum, which will thus become valuable either for building upon or planting; roads and paths have been formed and metalled ; a new airing-court will shortly be completed; a large building has been erected to serve for a coal-shed, wood-shed, and toolhouse; other old and condemned buildings removed; new fences erected, and gates provided for the hospital road; pigstyes removed to a better position; and a large amount of treeplanting. The laundry for foul linen has also been completed. The whole of these works have been executed by home-labour. A new ironing-stove is now being placed in the laundry, where it is intended shortly to undertake the whole of the washing from the hospital, as an experiment. If successful, a considerable saving to the Government will result. Inside the asylum many improvements have been effected. The front day-rooms on the female side have been varnished and papered, and their windows furnished with valances and lace curtains. The latter have been in use six months, and not one of them has been torn. A large new dining-room has been formed in the female division, by exchanging the fittings of a dormitory and a day-room. The new room is conveniently situated, and very easily supervised during meals. Other alterations and repairs are needed. The back corridor, in the same division, requires painting; some rooms on the male side want varnishing, and lining with wood for a certain height; the dining-hall should be painted in some light shade of colour, which would remove its present gloomy appearance. Other repairs, badly needed, are already sanctioned. There are at present only two or three vacant beds on the male side, while the female division is quite full. In view of the natural increase of lunacy with an increasing population, I recommend the immediate erection of a large day-room for female patients; which, with a few alterations of small importance in the existing buildings, would enable the Superintendent to admit twenty additional women. There would be no difficulty in finding them suitable employment; they could be cheaply maintained here ; and the addition to the asylum would not be a costly one. An excellent position could be found for it, with a good view from its windows, on or near the ground which is undergoing levelling behind the asylum. I have examined all the statutory books and documents; they are well kept, the case-book particularly so. All the patients under certificates are properly detained here; but I can scarcely say the same of two women sent " on remand," and regarding whom I have made certain entries in the patientsbook. For his zeal in his work, and the numerous radical improvements which he has carried out, Dr. Levinge deserves my warmest approbation. I formed also a very good opinion during my visit of his staff of officers and attendants.

It will thus be seen that the total number of my visits to the asylums of the colony since my last report is 48. I have, Bee, George Wallington Grabham, M.D. Land.., M.R.C.P., M.R.C.S., The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Inspector of Asylums,