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For Dr. Tizard and myself, who have been here without assistance for the whole year, the work has proved somewhat of an overstrain, but Ave cheerfully submit to a condition which has arisen from an Empire crisis. Our thanks are due to the Herald, Miss Fleming, Mr. Macpherson, and others who have assisted us in various ways, and to the District Inspector and Official Visitors. Sunnysidh Mental Hospital. Dr. St. L. H. Gribben reports : — At the beginning of 1915 there were 683 patients on the books, of whom 354 were males and 329 females. During the year there were admitted 69 males and 78 females, and at the end of the year there were remaining 702 patients, an increase of 19 for the year. There were 46 deaths, giving an average death-rate of 6'8 per cent, of the number resident. There were 73 recoveries—37 males and 36 females —giving a rate of 49'6 per cent, on the admissions. Having taken charge only in September, my report must necessarily be brief. Work is proceeding on the Nurses' Home, which should be ready for occupation within two or three months. Progress on the new Reception Block has been slow, I understand, because carpenters are urgently required for military camps. Certain alterations in connection with the kitchen-yard and scullery which were urgently required have been undertaken. The kitchen itself also urgently requires attention. The buying and killing of our own meat has been in operation for a month, and there is reason to believe it will be quite successful. To carry out this proposition to advantage I would urge the necessity of acquiring more land, which could be made a first-class investment for the Department. Consequent upon this departure in regard to meat certain changes have been made, and the kitchen is now under the charge of a nurse. This departure is working admirably. The provisions against fire are inadequate, and urgently require attention. The fire-alarm system is of no use, and the apparatus for fire-fighting is antiquated and cumbersome. On the 5th October Dr. Lee joined the N.Z.M.C., and left the country on active service within a few days. The general health of the patients has been good. Unfortunately, a large number of senile cases continue to be admitted, and I beg to suggest that the Charitable Aid Boards should definitely take charge of this type of case, which represents only a physiological decay. In addition to the ordinary entertainments, Haywards' Picture Enterprises (Limited) have generously volunteered to give a monthly performance free of charge. These entertainments have been highly appreciated by the jsatients, and have amused a large number of patients who are not able to go beyond the grounds. I am indebted to a number of ladies in Christchurch for the supply of books and magazines for the amusement of the patients. The officers in charge of the different departments have worked hard and loyally, and I have to thank them and the staff generally for their co-operation in carrying on the work of the place. Skaolifp Mental Hospital. Dr. F. Truby King reports : — In the beginning of the year there were 946 patients and at the close 975, an increase of 29. The number of new patients was 121, the readmissibns 27, and the transfers from other institutions 7. The patients discharged relieved and recovered were 62 —that is just over 50 per cent, on -the number of new admissions, or just over 40 per cent, on the combined new admissions and readmissions. Eleven voluntary patients were admitted during the year. The total number of patients under treatment was 1,101, and the number of deaths 54, the mortality being 5 per cent., the same as last year. Twenty of the patients who died were between seventy and over ninety years of age. The general health has been good, and the work of the institution has been efficiently carried out in spite of the great handicaps of our losing a very large proportion of the best attendants as volunteers to the Expeditionary Forces. Another effect of the war has been to slow down the progress of building and other improvements, this arising from the difficulty of getting enough firstclass artisans, the frequent changes of personnel, and the economic requirements naturally enforced on us by the Government. However, in spite of drawbacks the all-round necessities have been fairly well met, and it cannot be said that so far the comfort and welfare of the patients have been very much affected by the state of war. The farm and garden have been exceedingly well run, and the provision of meat by the farm-manager, instead, of resorting to outside contracts, has been highly successful from every point of view. We have had a better average quality of meat than heretofore, and the pecuniary saving has been a large one. The fishing-station has again done well, the fish caught during the year being just on a quarter of a million pounds weight. In the coming season we anticipate securing a much larger proportion of groper, which, taken all round, is the best local fish for use in the fresh state in large institutions. Our most urgent needs are still —(1) Improved bathing facilities; (2) proper accommodation for tuberculous patients; (3) a separate quarter for so-called "criminal lunatics"; (4) further accommodation for female patients; (5) additions and improvements to the main kitchen; (6) refrigerator for fish, &c. Orokonui Branch Mental Hospital and The Camp auxiliary have been well conducted throughout the j'ear. I have to thank Dr. Gr.Ty and other medical colleagues and the staff for excellent work. Religious services have been held by various denominations throughout the year. The thanks of the authorities are due to the Otago Daily Times and Witness Company and to the Evening Star Company for newspapers supplied free, and also to other donors and entertainers who have contributed to the amenities of our institutions.