H.-2

6

of discipline which have occurred in the process of securing their enforcement, the best spirit prevails among the staff, and I think that point has been attained beyond which, discipline having been successfully vindicated, it will very seldom be necessary to have recourse to extreme measures for the future. A feature of special interest is the new airing-court laid out in front of the building on the female side. Very soon I hope that, by building a suitable house for the Medical Superintendent, the whole front will be set apart for the use of the patients. The new and commodious farmbuildings are nearly finished. Such a list of improvements effected in one year is a record of which any Superintendent might feel proud. The total number of patients is 275 males and 201 females, and I have to repeat my gratification Avith the condition in which I found them. Their treatment is in all respects satisfactory, and the administration of the institution as a whole is admirable. No form of restraint is in use, except that in certain cases locked gloves are put on to prevent patients from injuring themselves, and canvas dresses for a feAv destructive patients. The number of patients who are induced to do some kind of work is very great, and the general appearance and health are, in consequence, strikingly improved. Hokitika. 28th December, 1890.—T0-day and yesterday I have been engaged in my annual inspection of the Hokitika Asylum. I have examined every detail in its Avorking, and I am thoroughly satisfied Avith its condition. The number of patients on the books, all of whom I examined, is 101 —males, 69; and females, 32 —with one female out on trial. The number of eases in Avhich there is any hope of recovery is very small, but there is no asylum in the colony where the conditions for the successful treatment of curable cases are so easily attainable, owing to the comparatively small numbers and the possibility of special treatment. On the male side the existence of a separate cottage, where convalescents can be surrounded with selected cases and extremely comfortable surroundings, is a great feature of the institution. The diminishing population of the Coast goldfields has saved this Asylum from the overcroAvding Avhich has so hampered the working of thelarger institutions, and the admirable management lifts made the utmost use of existing opportunities. The general health of the inmates is extremely satisfactory. They are fed, clothed, and medically treated with the utmost solicitude. The Hokitika Asylum is one of the most satisfactory public institutions in the colony. Nelson. 13th February, 1891.—1 have this day made my animal inspjectiou of this Asylum. The total number of patients is 101 —males, 55; and females, 46. Only one patient Avas confined to bed, suffering from a temporary ailment; all the others except six were daily induced to occupy themselves in some form of regulated activity to their own great benefit in health and such happiness as is possible for them. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are unremitting in their solicitude to do all that is possible to secure the comfort of the unfortunates committed to their care, while Dr. Boor's long experience and kindly skill are at all times available. lam satisfied that the appointment of Mr. and Mrs. Morrison has been a very fortunate one, and that the institution fully deserves the confidence which the public repose in its management. There has been a notable reduction in expenditure during the last year, and that, too, coincident with a no less notable improvement in the clothing and general comfort of the patients. The productiveness of the farm is steadily improving, and I hope to find that the improvements that Mr. Fell has indicated in the matter of water-supply and fire-prevention will soon be completed by the Public Works Department. The airing-court on the male side has been greatly improved, and the painting of the entire outside of the buildings has greatly improved the appearance of the Asylum. Wellington. 21st February, 1891.—Yesterday I completed my visits of inspection to this Asylum. I found one man and one woman under restraint for reasons which I found satisfactory. The woman was very noisy and violent. All the other inmates Avere up and about. As many as fifty-five males were doing some kind of work out of doors. I made a careful inspection of all the recent and more promising cases in consultation with Dr. Fooks. Except for the evils inseperable from overcroAvding I found the condition of the patients and the arrangements for their welfare such as are creditable to the Medical Superintendent and his staff. In especial I noticed an improvement on the female side. NotAvithstanding that the matron was absent on leave, everything Avas going on very satisfactorily. As a Avhole, lam satisfied that the Asylum is ill a sound condition, and now that a tender for the Chronic Asylum at Porirua has actually been accepted, not only this but all the asylums in the colony will be relieved of a great difficulty which has cumbered them for years. All the statutory books and documents were in order. The number of male patients is 174 ; of females, 118 : total, 292. The Farm Asylum at Porirua I have visited several times during the year, and I always found everything in good order. Mr. Wyburne is a very capable and trustworthy officer, and has made this a very valuable auxiliary to the means at the disposal of Dr. Fooks for the treatment of convalescents. He is rapidly getting the farm into good order. A great deal of vigilance will be required on his part during the progress of the large building contract now being put in hand. Ashhurn Hall. 10th August, 1890.-—This clay I have seen and conversed with every patient in this Asylum. They are all suitable cases for detention, and are receiving suitable treatment. The cleanliness of the rooms and bedding is perfect, and the comfort of the patients is sedulously attended to. The time has now 7 come that the reputation of the institution is so well known that the proprietors must cither enlarge and extend their accommodation of increase their charges. No more patients can be