H.—7

The total number of patients discharged (excluding transfers) was 438 (m., 238; f., 200), of which 359 (m., 202; f., 157) were discharged as recovered. The remaining 79 (m., 36; f'., 43), though not recovered, were sufficiently well to be placed under the care of relatives or friends. The percentage proportion of recoveries on admissions was 4427 (m., 4489; f., 4321), as against 42-51 (m. 4067; f., 4512) in the previous year, and 3996 (m., 3768; f., 4333) in the average for all years since 1876. This increase of recoveries must, I think, be regarded as satisfactory. The deaths numbered 284 (m., .172; f., 112), giving a percentage of deaths on the average number resident of 694 (m., T l9; f., 658), and on the total number (general register) under care during the year of 579 (m., 601; f., 542). The corresponding percentages for the previous year were 7'll (m., 836; f., 536) and 582 (m., 679; £~ 442) respectively. Not included in the above analysis are 4 males resident at the beginning of the year who had been sent for observation under Magistrates' order, and 72 (m., 52; f., 20) so received during the year. Of that number, 28 (m., 16; f., 12) were formally committed, 1 male elected to remain on as a voluntary boarder, 1 was under observation at the end of the year, and 46 (m., 38; f., 8) after a short period of observation and treatment no longer needed oversight in a mental hospital. Also not included are the voluntary boarders, of which class 21 (m., 6; f., 15) were resident at the beginning of the year, and 36 (m., 17; f., 19) were admitted during the year. Of the total, 24 (m. 9; f., 15) were discharged, 1 female died, and 6 boarders (m., 2; f., 4) were transferred to the register of patients, leaving 26 (m., 12; f., 14) resident at the end of the year. The number of single patients under the Act is as yet too insignificant to include in the general statistics—l male was in single care at the beginning of the year, and 1 was added during the year. The patients on the register at the end of the year were distributed as follows : — Males. Females. Total. Auckland ... ... ... ... ... 581 360 941 Christchurch ... ... ... ... ... 335 351 686 Dunedin (Seacliff and Waitati) ... ... ... 548 399 947 Hokitika ... ... ... ... ... 180 61 241 Nelson ... ... ... ... ... ... 84 103 187 Porirua ... ... ... ... ... ... 542 377 919 Tokanui ... ... ... ... ... ... 90 50 140 AshburnHall ... ... ... ... ... 19 21 40 On probation ... ... ... ... ... 69 30 99 2,448 1,752 4,200 The accommodation in the State institutions was much taxed, except at Hokitika, Nelson, and Tokanui. The new buildings at Auckland were immediately filled on completion, and muchneeded additions to the male infirmary ward are about to be carried out. At Porirua and Sunnyside the delay in the completion of the new reception and hospital blocks, occasioned by the scarcity of skilled labour, has led to a congestion in the main institutions. To relieve this pressure at Porirua 50 women patients were transferred to Tokanui, where provision is being made to relieve other institutions, in which additions cannot be conveniently carried out, of their annual surplus or increase due to the excess of admissions over discharges and deaths. This and the completion of the hospital block will place Porirua in a fairly good position. At Sunnyside the occupation of the new Nurses' Home affords a measure of relief by allowing the vacated rooms to be occupied by patients; further relief will be afforded when the reception and hospital block is ready for occupation, but provision is still required to allow of our abandoning the use of the attics for dormitories. The proportion of aged patients is high, and many could with advantage be segregated, leaving their places in the main institution for patients requiring more oversight and control. Plans have been prepared for a suitable home for such patients under the supervision of the institution staff. Besides the above, a plan for a small cottage for 10 patients has been approved. At Seacliff some relief has been granted by the new building for women and the reception cottage for men, and during the current year it, is proposed to add further accommodation for women patients and a consumptive shelter for men. At Waitati it is proposed to increase the accommodation for epileptics, and to start a substantially built and wallcd-in unit for a class of patients whose supervision at present is necessarily costly, and whose presence in an ordinary ward tends to restrict the amenities of others. Under present circumstances nothing new has been done at Hokitika, where there is accommodation to spare; but at Nelson, where the additions to the auxiliary are now in occupation, the first contribution to the rebuilding of the institution, a new kitchen and a reception cottage, which had to be postponed, will be proceeded with. In addition to the above buildings directly connected with accommodation, other necessary works have been and are being carried out to improve administration and contribute to the well-being of the patients. The farms in connection with the institutions, as usual, show good returns. The produce sold for cash realized £7,378, and the value of produce consumed was estimated at £16,637, making a total of .£24,015, as against £21,583 in 1914. On the other hand, the expenses in regard to wages, cost of feed, &c, were higher. The net profit on the year's working amounted to £9,850.

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