H.—7

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admirably managed by Mr. and Mrs. Quill, is highly appreciated by the men. The results have been most encouraging, rapid improvement taking place in most cases, resulting generally in recovery and discbarge. The best spirit prevails. The farm and garden returns for the year have been exceptionally good; and the undertaking of our meat-supply by the farm-manager, Mr. Sutherland, continues to be a great success, both from the pecuniary point of view and as regards the quality of the meat supplied. Though the fishing-season has been a comparatively poor one, the institution has been kept well supplied through our fishing-station at Karitane and stocks in the freezer. The Orokonui Branch Mental Hospital and the Camp Auxiliary on the Peninsula have been well conducted by their respective staffs. We were very sorry to lose Dr. Gray in the middle of the year, owing to his taking up military duty and leaving for the front. Since then I have had every assistance from my colleagues Drs. McKillop and McPherson. Religious services have been held by various denominations throughout the year. Our thanks 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. PORTRUA MENTAL HOSPITAL Dr. Gray Hassell reports : — The statistical tables for the year 1916 show the following totals: The number of patients under care, 1,180; average number resident, 947; admissions, 241; discharges, 135; and deaths, 54. A comparison of the statistics with those of the previous year (1915) indicates that the incidence of insanity in the part of the Dominion served by this Mental Hospital has declined. The actual number of admissions has declined by 10, but the decrease by 55 in the number discharged, and by 16 in the number of deaths, and the transfer between this and other mental hospitals account for the inoremenl nf patients on our register from 936 at the beginning to 982 at the end of the year. Tho general health of the patients has been good. There has been little sickness in the wards, and I am glad to say no cases of typhoid. The death-rate for a mental hospital was particularly low, being only 5*7 per cent, of the average number in residence. Owing no doubt to war conditions we have had much the same difficulty as in 1915 in maintaining the staff of attendants and nurses at the required strength. This was particularly the case in regard to the nurses, and our shortage was often from 15 to 20 per cent, below our proper number. I fear we shall have difficulty in obtaining the additional nurses required for the new auxiliary building, which I expect will soon be complete and ready for occupation. Dr. Hodgson was on duty throughout the year, and for seven months was the only Assistant Medical Officer. Dr. O. J. Reid left at the end of March to join the Army Medical Service, and Dr. McKillop, having returned invalided from the front, started duty on the Ist June, but was transferred to Seacliff at the end of July. I have to gratefully acknowledge the good and conscientious work done by the senior officers of the various departments of the institution.