H.—7

14

Corney's suicide, and agree that no blame can be attributed to any one. Dr. Hassell was in town on business, and as he is at present alone in charge, owing to Dr. Perry's having to relieve Dr. King at Porirua during his holiday, the only question in my mind is satisfactorily met. The new airing-court is making satisfactory progress, and when finished it will remove the opprobrium of the present refractory airing-court. I found everything going on well. I have arranged with Dr. Hassell to remove twenty-five females to Sunnyside. Ist February, 1898. —I examined to-day the whole of the Asylum. Saw all the patients who are confined to bed. Inspected the new airing-court. Interviewed Schoenberg and other patients whom he was persistently endeavouring to mate to misconduct. Found everything working satisfactorily. Consulted Dr. Hassell as to patients to be sent to Hokitika. Ashburn Hall. 20th August, 1897. —This licensed house contains this day seventeen women and twenty-one men. I have seen and conversed with each individually so far as possible. I find that their diet is abundant, and extremely well cooked. Their bedrooms and sitting-rooms are comfortable and very clean. The attendants are efficient and kind. The matron is all that could be desired, and Dr. Hay's care and attention to his patients betoken a disposition of great natural kindness, high ability in his profession, while his training and experience have peculiarly qualified him for the management of such an institution. I think that the proprietors are to be congratulated on having procured such a man. The cottage for inebriates is very comfortable, and lam glad to find that it is to be extended. It supplies a very urgent want in this country. Nothing could be better than the kindly and rational fashion in which Dr. Hay manages his patients. 26th December, 1897.—T0-day I have seen and conversed with every inmate of this Asylum, except one gentleman, who had gone to church. I find that no one is improperly detained, and that all are receiving very careful treatment both from Dr. Hay and his staff. I was pleased to find that there are no entries in the restraint-book. The staff is ample in point of numbers, and quite efficient. I saw nothing to find fault with, but much to admire in the spirit and methods on which the Asylum is conducted. Dr. Hay informs me that it is proposed to add accommodation for female inebriates. He has explained his plans to me, and they will quite meet the requirements of the law, and be a great boon to the public. 25th March, 1898.—1 have seen and conversed with all the patients. No one is improperly detained. All are well cared for in every respect. Ashburn Hall is as nearly a home as such an institution can be. I have, &c, D. MacGeegob, M.A., M.8., Inspector of Asylums.