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and precautions inseparable from the present state of the buildings. Their bedding, food, and clothing are all very good, and no effort is spared to make their lives as pleasant as the inadequate accommodation permits. I was greatly distressed to find that of late there have been as many as eight cases of typhoid, and dysentery of a typhoid type, in the asylum.. When the old female wing was being removed the cause of this was speedily discovered. The closets in the right wing—the female side—were found to discharge into a brick barrel-drain which passes right under the central or front part of the building to join the main outlet behind. This barrel-drain, incredible as it may seem, was so badly built that it was little better than a cesspool under the female wing, and there is no doubt that the smell which has been so frequently complained of in this part of the building was due to it. The leakage from this drain seems to have found its way all round the foundations of the female wing, and the marvel is that the general health of the asylum has not suffered more than it seems to have done. The facts I have mentioned and their implications make it imperative that the whole drainage-system of the asylum should be put right without a moment's delay. The fact that some of the main drains pass under the building is of itself sufficient to condemn the existing arrangements, and the mere saving of money cannot be allowed to interfere with the carrying-out of a reform so vital to the health of every one who resides in the institution. It was a constant source of anxiety to me how to get over the difficulties caused by the building operations, especially on the female side, and I am correspondingly thankful to find that, owing to the incessant efforts of the doctor and the staff, the temporary accommodation provided can bo made to suffice to bridge over the transition period without any great discomfort. The exhaustive reports of the Deputy Inspector, Colonel Haultain, dated the 15th January and 18th March last, relieve me from the necessity of further comment on the present state of the asylum. I hail with great satisfaction the establishment in Auckland, owing to the efforts mainly of the Deputy Inspector, of a society to promote amusements for the asylum patients, and to make their lives more tolerable, by providing pictures for the wards. I am glad to state that the Government have acknowledged their duty in this matter, by granting a sum equal to the voluntary contributions. lam sorry to find that the progress of the new buildings is much slower than I anticipated, and I hope that no unnecessary delay will be tolerated by the officers of the Public Works Department. The overcrowding of the male side has now become such that we can no longer wait for the long-hoped-for additions. As soon as the new beds can be got ready, I have arranged with Dr. Cremonini that the hall of the auxiliary asylum shall be converted into a dormitory for 25 male patients. I have made a careful inspection of the asylum farm, but I have decided that, owing to the exceptional season, it would not be fair to Mr. Boyd to judge of it in its present condition. I found the stores all of good quality. I condemned a large quantity of worn-out articles which had been accumulating for some time. I also authorised the destruction of a considerable number of worn-out and useless articles of clothing belonging to deceased patients. lam glad to find that Miss Nicholls, the matron, and Mr. Wood, the new head attendant, promise to relieve Dr. Cremonini of a great deal of the anxiety and worry which he has had to bear since taking charge of this asylum. 26th July, 1887. —I was engaged in inspecting this asylum on the 11th and 12th days of July, and again on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. I examined all the patients, and was satisfied with all I saw, except that some of the patients were too lightly clad for the unusually severe weather, and that some had leaky boots. The number of inmates was 251 males and 125 females ; 1 male and 3 females were " out on trial." Seven males and 1 female were confined to bed under medical treatment. One man was temporarily secluded. Two men and 3 women wore locked dresses. The wet weather caused some of the wards to be dreadfully overcrowded, the patients being unable either to work outside or even to venture into the airing-courts. I am exceedingly disheartened at the slow rate at which the new buildings are being pushed forward. The apparatus for the new drying-closet and kitchen has been lying there for weeks, and the difficulty of administering the asylum without them has been enormous. The greatest credit is due to Dr. Cremonini for the constant vigilance which has carried the institution so far through the winter without mishap. Notwithstanding the difficulties of the position great improvements have been effected in the appearance of the corridors and domitories, and the staff is working smoothly and satisfactorily. I examined all the statutory books and documents, and found everything in order. The new drain along the front of the building has greatly improved the sanitary condition of the female side. Now there is little or none of the bad smell that used to prevail in the wards. The difficulty that arose owing to the condition in which Warder Caswell's hand was found after his dismissal by Dr. Cremonini has been satisfactorily adjusted, and I was glad to find that the doctor was perfectly justified in his action. Wellington. Ist November, 1887. —I have been occupied during the last three days in making a thorough inspection of this asylum. Just before Dr. Levinge's departure for Christchurch Asylum I examined the state of the institution, so that I might be able to compare the management of Dr. King, after a reasonable interval, with the admittedly vigorous administration of his predecessor. It is now five months since the change of Superintendents was made, and it gives me very great pleasure to be able to say that on the whole I am satisfied with the present condition of this asylum. At various irregular times and hours I have made surprise-visits, and on every occasion I found everything going on well. I have, however, felt it my duty to call the matron's attention to several matters which, unless great vigilance is exercised, may gradually lead to a relaxation of discipline. On the male side I regret to find that the new courtyard has not yet been finished, and that the corresponding one on the female side is rather untidy. While I accord to the gardener every credit for the state of the garden and the surroundings of the building, which are very satisfactory, I shall expect that for the future these inner courts are not neglected. As the Deputy Inspector, Mr. Mackay, has pointed out, a considerable portion of the asylum has been disfigured in consequence of the bad varnish used in past contracts, and much of the papering is ruinous, and greatly mars the appearance