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confidence of the patients and the respect of the, staff, have never demurred when, in addition to their usual visits, I have had to call upon them to inquire into any matter on my behalf, but have done so and reported immediately. You have met some of them on your rounds and read their reports of visits and investigations, and their recorded criticisms, which are passed on to you as they arrive, and I think you will, sir, agree with me that they have proved most valuable. Mr. John Alexander, Auckland, has been absent on leave, and will be welcomed back when he returns and.visits the Mental Hospital. The following additional new appointments have been made : Official Visitor, Dunedin The Reverend Hector Maclean. Official Visitors, Christchurch—Henry Havelock Hanna, Esq., solicitor, and Mrs. Lawrence Williams. Official Visitor, Auckland—The Reverend D. C. Herron, M.A., M.C. I record with regret the loss to Porirua by the death of Mr. Martin Chapman, K.C., District Inspector, Wellington. Death has also ceased the labours, as it alone could, of the friend to any one in trouble, Mr. Edwin Arnold, whose benevolence often led to his being imposed upon; but that never discouraged him. He was Official Visitor in the Wellington District for twenty-one years, and his memory will bo regarded with respect and affection. In addition to the visits of District Inspectors and Official Visitors, Mr. Holder has inspected the offices and stores and looked into many matters on my behalf, and Miss Hanna has made her round of inspection, residing at the hospitals so as to be present at all hours and at any part. My own visits were as follow :— Auckland. —Visited in April and May, 1923, and May this year. At the first of these visits a large number of works, decorating and modernizing the hospital, were in progress, and at the last I was glad to find that a great deal had been completed. The increased and more efficient bathingfacilities and the new properly ventilated lavatory blocks are a marked improvement, and the extensive alterations in the kitchen have improved its service and made it an entirely wholesome place to work in. I found this Department under women, and scrupulously clean. The, inmates of the Wolf Home were bright, and expressed themselves as comfortable. Both sides are under the care of nurses. A small section of the main building on the men's side, a dark and undesirable portion of the old part, has been entirely remodelled, and will make a most bright and comfortable self-contained place for a few well-conducted parole patients. Altogether, the year has shown a distinct advance. The general health of the patients has been good. Tokanui. —Visited in May, 1923, and May of this year. The male reception-house is in occupation, and tenders have been let for a corresponding block on the women's side. I saw work in progress on the store and office block. This will be, a great convenience, as it will be reached under cover from both sides of the institution. At present the stores are scattered. The development of the estate has made great progress, and much credit is due to Mr. McDonald, the Manager, whose trust in and kindly bearing towards the patients employed is not lost on them. The vegetable-garden has been largely extended. I am glad to say that the matter of piping the Pirongia water has been approved, which sets at rest our fear concerning the group of springs, our present source, giving out—they were very low for part of the year. I found the patients very well and doing well, well clothed, and well fed. Porirua. —Visited in April, May, and September, .1923, and in February of this year. As stated above, tenders have been let for five villas, three for men and two for women, which will clear the crowded wards. The large extension of Wards 4 and B day-rooms, for which tenders have been let, will give much-needed sitting-room accommodation. The daily routine of the institute goes on satisfactorily, and the general health of the patients has been good, but there have been a number of cases of scabies, some having it on admission. Whether these were the source of contagion has not been definitely settled, but every precaution was taken with them, and a steam disinfector has been installed to treat all clothing before being sent to the laundry. Last year I suggested that the Engineers' Department should be, moved to another site. We had to decide whether we, would increase the electric-lighting plant or purchase supply from the hydro-electric scheme. The, Engineers informed me that, as it is essential for us to use steam for many purposes, it will be, more economical to make our own electricity, and as 1 understand that the district will not get the hydro-electric supply, or, at any rate, not in the near future, I have asked the Public Works Department to go into the question of our supplying the wants of the district, and on its report the matter will depend. Nelson. —Visited in February, 1923, and in January of this year. Great credit is due to Dr. Gray for well-directed energy, and to his staff for adapting themselves enthusiastically to co-operate in the newer methods. When one realizes the advance made in the transfer of patients from Nelson and elsewhere to Stoke, where many who had been idle hitherto are working and on parole, and the changes that have been effected at Nelson, the opening of the reception-house (Braemar) under the charge, of Sister Brand, the home for deficient boys, El Nido, in occupation, and the small hospital ward, all efficient, accomplished at a relatively small outlay and working efficiently, one has reason to be satisfied. The purchase of the old canning-factory with its water-rights opens the way to the erection of villas for women patients at that end of the Stoke estate and for the, establishment of a genorai kitchen and laundry. Hokitika. —Visited in March, November, and December, 1923. At the last visit one could judge that the admission and hospital wards and the administration block would, be ready for occupation in three or four months. They are well designed for their purpose, and have been placed under Sister Rolfes, The hospital staff removed the buildings neighbouring the site, scrapping those of no fur 1 her use and utilizing good, material for a small isolation hospital. Tenders have been called for a " closed " villa, which will empty that part of the old buildings which have been the subject of comment, permitting of their being removed. Dr. Buchanan's residence is just in the site where a