H.—7

painful or humiliating sights on their way to the institution ; that they will find the approaches and surroundings attractive ; that on arrival they will receive immediate professional care and attention at a private-entry cottage ; they they will certainly be well lodged, well looked after, and treated with every care and consideration, according to their requirements —e.g., rest in bed, or such occupation, recreation, associations, and treatment as may be deemed most conducive to their comfort and recovery. Other New Undertakings, Alterations, and Improvements. As was pointed out last year, extensive sanitary and other alterations and improvements— especially in the way of proper ventilation, larger and better-equipped laundry premises, improved kitchens and bakeries, and other such primary essentials —were necessary in order to bring our mental hospitals (designed and constructed for the most part from twenty to forty years ago, for half the present number of patients and less than a third of the present staffs) up to the standard of efficiency, economy, and sanitary suitability now recognized as essential for all such institutions. There comes a time when mere patching-up and makeshifts can no longer serve the requirements of large and constantly increasing institutions for the care and treatment of the insane ; and that time has long passed in the Dominion. However, it is satisfactory to record that the following provisions have been made during the year, in addition to those already enumerated. Auckland. (1.) Great improvements in the ventilation throughout the institution by means of shafts, electric fans, &c., and the necessary alterations to windows originally constructed with no provision for opening. (2.) Complete renovation of the kitchen at Oakleigh Hall (auxiliary building). (3.) Additions and alterations to bakehouse, which was previously in an unhygienic and unsafe condition . (4.) Completion of a new entirely detached male hospital. (5.) Extensive alterations and improvements to the Wolfe Home to increase its amenities and enable it to be used for its original purpose as a separate home for the admission of recent and recoverable cases. Porirua. (1.) The subdivision of large dormitories, so as to ensure that no sleeping-room shall contain, if practicable, more than twenty patients, has been undertaken and will be completed in the course of the year. This also includes a scheme of ventilation giving ample air-supply, which can be regulated exactly according to what is best at different seasons and to meet daily changes in wind and temperature. Further, each patient is provided with a large, airy locker, alongside his bed, wherever possible, for clothing, &c. It is hoped to complete the various measures needed in these directions throughout the whole institution by early in 1927. It may be pointed out that an adequate supply of light and air is even more important than the actual cubic space per inmate, although the latter should never be allowed to go below a certain minimal standard. There is still a shortage of cubic space at Porirua, and some patients have to sleep in corridors, which is always objectionable. We hope to overcome deficiencies in this direction in all the mental hospitals at an early date. (2.) Improved classification has now been made possible by the completion of six new villas, each of which will be occupied by a different type of patient. Christchurch. (1.) The erection of comfortable sleeping-quarters and recreation-room for single attendants. (2.) Additions and alterations to the laundry. (3.) Increased lavatory accommodation. (4.) Renovation and repainting of the corridors in the female division. Seacliff. (1.) The old single rooms and dining-room in B ward have been replaced by a complete new structure of much improved design. (2.) The paths in the airing-courts have been asphalted, and the patients' tennis-court relaid. (3.) An extention to the workshops has been completed, affording better facilities for bootmaking and upholstering. (4.) AH exteriors at Waitati have been painted. Tokanui. A block to be used for the reception of recent cases is in process of construction, and should be in early occupation. Nelson. A new " closed " villa designed for those male patients who cannot be granted parole has been completed. This will ensure a ..much greater degree of classification than has hitherto been possible. Hokitika. (1.) The old gaol building has been finally demolished. (2.) The new Superintendent's house has been completed and is now in occupation. (3.) The old Superintendent's residence has been partially remodelled and rendered suitable for occupation by patients.

4