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lavatory, and installation of hot-water supply at " Egmont " ; building of a garage at. Medical Superintendent's residence ; demolition of the old gaol; demolition of old A Ward ; erection of a large coal and store shed from suitable portions of old A Ward; reclamation of over 8 acres swamp ground; addition of about § acre to the kitchen garden; increase to the recreationground, and fencing the whole area for the purpose of grazing sheep ; laying out new fowl-runs ; roadmaking and laying out of grounds in front of the institution formerly occupied by old wards ; making of new airing-court at " Aorangi." The annual picnic, an event always looked forward to by the patients, took place at Kokatahi. The outing proved a great success and was handsomely contributed to by many of the townsfolk. I would especially like to record my appreciation of the many concerts given to us by the Hokitika Band. They are always a great source of pleasure. I have had good, helpful, and loyal service from all my staff.

CHRISTCHURCH MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. MgKillop reports I have the honour to present my report for the year 1926. On the Ist January there were 835 patients on the register (372 males and 463 females.) The admissions during the year were 192 (90 males and 102 females). Eighty-seven patients were discharged, and 3 transferred to other institutions. The total number of committed patients was 1,027, and 870 remained at the end of the year. Sixty voluntary boarders received treatment, and 32 (14 males and 18 females) were discharged recovered during the year. The general health of the patients has been very satisfactory. There were 67 deaths (30 men and 37 women), a large proportion of the deaths being due to senile decay. The Neuropathic Hospital for men at Hornby is now occupied. The value of this new building, and of the Lodge, Hornby (for females) cannot be overestimated, and is already reflected in the increased recovery-rate. lam pleased to note that a modern farm colony, with accommodation for forty-eight men, is in course of erection at.Templeton. This will relieve to a very great extent the overcrowding at Sunnyside, and will permit of a much better classification. The painting squad, organized eighteen months ago, has been kept fully occupied, and has done exceptionally good work The farm buildings have been renovated, and most of the exterior of the institution. During the coming year it is intended to make considerable alterations that will help to brighten the interior of the building and add greatly to the comfort of the inmates. lam pleased to record a most successful year on the farm. Much has been done in the way of fencing and development generally, and the labour and money expended has been well repaid. I have again to express my indebtedness to Professor Hercus, of the Otago Medical School, for the great assistance he has given in research work, more particularly in goitre and general paralysis. Weekly visits have been paid to the Christchurch Hospital, where out-patients may obtain advice and treatment, and in-patients are seen in consultation with the Hospital staff. The patients' recreation has been arranged on the usual lines. The weekly dances and cinematograph entertainments were well attended. Through the kindness of the Rotary Club and other friends of the institution, radio equipment has been installed in the main building : four loud-speakers have been installed, and it is hoped that before long a loud-speaker will be available for each ward. I have to tender thanks to Canon Revell for his great efforts in bringing this scheme to a realization. To Mr. Acland (District Inspector), to the Official Visitors (Mrs. Williams and Mr. Hanna), to Mr. Souter (Patients' Friend), I tender my sincere thanks for their regular visits and for their untiring attention to our inmates. I further tender my thanks to my colleagues, Drs. Russell and Hart, and to Mr. Thomas and office staff, to the Matrons and Head Attendants, for their loyal and efficient assistance, and to the staff as a whole for the satisfactory manner in which its work has been performed. SEACLIFF MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Gribben reports : — I beg to submit my report for the year ended 31st December, 1926. At the beginning of the year there were 1,130 patients on the register (623 males and 507 females), and at the end of the year 1,132 (617 and 515 females.) The admissions numbered 165 (83 males and 82 females.) Eighty-seven patients were discharged comprising 43 males and 44 females. Of voluntary boarders 35 remained from the previous year, and 27 were admitted. Twenty-one voluntary boarders were discharged, 2 committed as ordinary patients, and 2 died. Two patients (1 male and one female) were admitted on remand for observation. Seventy-six patients died during the year (46 males and 30 females). The average weekly number of patients resident during the year was 1,108 (615 males and 493 females). During the year 17 patients escaped and all were replaced. The health of the patients on the whole has been good. An epidemic of measles went through the institution, but fortunately most of the were of a mild type, and in the few instances in which more serious manifestations were present complete recovery took place. Three female patients and one male sustained fractures. Of the females one (an epileptic) broke her arm in a fall, another met with a fracture of the leg by jumping off the roof in an attempt to escape, while a third, aged seventysix, sustained a fracture of the leg. The male patient (an epileptic) fractured the base of his skull as a result of a fall.

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