H.— 4

6

to carry on without doing this until Porirua should be ready; but the disproportionate increase of population in this district has made this impossible. Every care will be taken to remove only such cases as have no friends in this district, and such as may be expected to benefit by a change of surroundings. The total number of patients now is 300—males, 174; females, 126. The order and quietness which I found prevailing are very satisfactory when the overcrowding is considered. All the women were in the open air, and I was pleased to see that the recent cases were receiving particular attention. Two large walking parties were out yesterday; the men I met on their way to Newtown Park, and I was very much gratified to see their appearance and behaviour. Two men and one woman are under restraint, during the night only, for reasons that I approve. Two women, who are indecent and destructive, are dressed in suitable canvas. Nineteen men and twenty-four women are such as require constant attention on the part of the attendants, whose work has been very arduous for a long time, and all the more credit is due to them for the condition in which I found the Asylum. I heard no complaints from either patients or attendants. Though the state o things on the female side has been causing me great anxiety for a long time, I am bound to admit that, considering the great difficulties the Matron and her staff had to contend with, that it is very creditable to them. I found all the books and stores in good order. I caused the firebell to be rung, and, though a large proportion of the staff were scattered all over the grounds, their promptitude was commendable, and their apparatus was in good order. Ashburn Hall. 7th August, 1891.—1 have this day made a careful inspection of this Asylum. The male patients numbered twenty, the females eleven, and four out on trial. I conversed with them all, examined their rooms, beds, and food, satisfied myself that each case is receiving proper care and treatment, made a special examination of all cases recently admitted, noted the progress of all the old patients, and I record my opinion that in all respects this is a well-managed Asylum, deserving to the fullest extent the confidence of the public. The new wing is most admirably equipped and suitable for its purpose, and by it the classification is greatly improved. The arrangements for heating and ventilating the rooms are modelled on those recently introduced at the Mont-rose Asylum by Dr. Howden, and are the best I have ever seen. The single rooms are very comfortably furnished, and the day-room very airy and spacious. I could discover no complaints of any kind, except such as are inevitable from patients complaining they are illegally detained. 27th November, 1891. —I have found this Asylum, after careful examination of each inmate, to deserve the confidence of the public. All the suggestions I made have been fully carried out. The new building is replete with every comfort and convenience, while the surroundings could not be surpassed. I have not heard a single complaint that had the slightest appearance of reasonableness. One female patient was under restraint, so far as her arms were concerned, for reasons which are satisfactory. The bedrooms and bedding are all clean and comfortable. The food is abundant, of good quality, and well cooked, and every case is receiving appropriate care and treatment. The section of the Act that prescribes that dipsomaniacs shall be kept separate from the other patients cannot be strictly carried out except in a specially-equipped inebriate asylum, which this does not profess to be. I have conversed separately with all patients of this class, and found all to be satisfied with the treatment they receive, saving only as regards their loss of freedom. All the statutory books and documents are in order. There are twentyone male inmates, of whom, three are inebriates, and thirteen female patients, and one out on trial. I have, &c, D. Macgeegob, M.A., M.8., Inspector of Asylums.