H.—7

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charge with one assistant, Dr. Hodgson, but was able to change places with Dr. Crosby, of Tokanui, for a short spell, so that each had the benefit of different surroundings. Dr. Hodgson was anxious to get to the front, and this was arranged when Dr. Levinge, who had retired from the medical supcrintendency of Sunnyside twelve years ago, placed his services at the disposal of the. Department in any capacity that would release a younger man for the war. Later Dr. Moore, who was in the Dominion for his health, came to Porirua as Second Assistant. The shortage of staff lias been felt very keenly at times, but, happily, things have moved smoothly and the general health of the patients has been good. The reception and hospital block is uearing completion, and will be a notable addition to our resources. A start has been made to pipe the septic-tank effluent to the harbour. Tokanui. —Visited in January, March, November, December, 1916, and January, March, 191.7. The difficult) 1 of replacing single by married men because of scarcity of married accommodation in the district is felt here as at Seacliff. Four additional cottages have been built, on the estate, and the first temporary kitchen and stall rooms have been economically adapted to serve for married quarters. The permanent water-mains have replaced the temporary, the work being carried out largely by our own staff. The third unit was occupied in March, and the fourth is well on. its way. Owing to labour difficulties the progress on the estate has not been as much as anticipated, but, on the other hand, it has been fairly satisfactory. A centrally placed milking-shed has been erected. Among the farm requirements is a slaughterhouse, which will enable us to provide our own meat from the estate. The health of the patients lias been excellent. Ashburn Hall. —Visited in June, August, December, 1916, and May, 1917. This private licensed institution fills a public want. There is no doubt that the comfort of the patients is considered, and that Dr. Will exercises a most kindly supervision. In conclusion, but not as a formality, 1 have to thank the Head Office staff for work done without an eye turned to tho clock, the staffs of our institutions for surmounting the many difficulties with which they have been beset, and yourself for your active support. I have, &c., Frank Hay.

MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS' REPORTS. AUCKLAND MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. R. M. Beattie reports : — During the year ending 31st December, 1916, we had 1,216 patients under treatment. Of these, 268 were admitted during the year, and of that number 170 were males. At the end of the year 1,010 remained on our books. Our population continues to grow at a greater rate than our accommodation. It should be borne in mind that the progress of the Auckland Province is greater, and. is likely to continue greater, than that of any other province in our Dominion. It becomes necessary, therefore, to anticipate an increase of patients proportionate to the increase in population, and to make provision for their accommodation. At the present time, notwithstanding our recent additions, we are overcrowded, and if we are to look forward to a disproportionate increase due to the war we will have to surmount some difficulties. Considering, however, the large number of returned soldiers and the small number admitted to our mental hospital—B in ail—there is no present reason to assume that the present incidence will be materially affected. Of those soldiers returned who have come under my treatment I am bound to say that influences other than the war have been the predisposing and most probably the exciting causes of their affliction. Several of my ex-patients have gone to the front, and we must at least, expect some of them to return mentally afflicted and become a permanent burden upon the country. Our recovery and death rates were about normal. In both cases the females compared favourably with the males. The male recoveries amounted to 31*17 per cent, and the female to 56*12 per cent., whilst the male death-rate was 9*75 per cent, and the female 5*66 per cent. This must be attributed largely to the character of the cases admitted. The relative proportion of males who were senile, alcoholic, or syphilitic was decidedly larger. The amount of physical illness during the year was small, probably not more than that amongst an equal number of the general population. Several cases of typhoid occurred, but fortunately without any fatal results. It is to be hoped that the incidence of this disease will be reduced in future owing to the fact that we have now a complete drainage system linked up with the city sewerage. Our staff is, especially on the female side, as satisfactory as one can expect under present conditions. I cannot say that I have had a more devoted female staff than I have at present, but the frequent changes imply inexperience and anxiety, I have to accord to Dr. Tizard and the senior officers my sincere thanks for their sympathy and help. To the District Inspector and the Official Visitors I am indebted for their interest in the Hospital and in myself, and for the consideration which they have always shown to me personally. The Herald proprietors, Miss Fleming, and Mr. Maepherson are, as usual, entitled to our thanks and the thanks of the Department.