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During the year 17 voluntary boarders (males 6, females 11) have been under treatment, 7 being new admissions (males 3, females 4). One male and 1 female have been readmitted, and 3 males and 3 females have been discharged. One male voluntary boarder died. Dr. Macpherson, whom I relieved in October on account of ill health, resigned on the Ist December. His departure is universally regretted, and on relinquishing his position as Superintendent he was entertained at a social evening, and both he and Mrs. Macpherson received several presents from the staff. No. 2 Camp has been evacuated and handed over to the Prisons Department, and No. 1 Camp has again been occupied by patients, 10 males being accomodated there. A new mortuary has been erected. The ventilation of the Hospital has been improved, and the result noted in the dormitories and side rooms. The picket fences in front of the male and female block have been pulled down, and the shut-in airing-courts done away with. This gives the patients considerably more freedom and improves their outlook. Walking parties have been started and have proved successful, all patients capable of it nowgetting sufficient exercise. The recreation of the patients has been attended to. Occasional concerts and the usual fortnightly dances were held during the winter. A radio set, presented by the Sunshine League, has been installed in B Ward, and loud-speaker extensions have been connected up in F1 and FH Wards. A cinematograph-machine was installed during the year and has proved a great success, a weekly picture entertainment being held, which is regularly attended by the patients from the camp as well as those at the main institution. I have to thank the Australasian Films, Ltd., for their generosity in supplying good-class film programmes free of charge. Croquet sets have been purchased, and the game has proved popular. During the warm weather picnic swimming parties have been frequently held and have been very popular with the female patients. The annual picnic was held at Wai keria, sports and games being indulged in, and an enjoyable day spent. The Official Visitors, Mr. Battson and Mrs. Woods, have given help in providing amusement and gifts for the patients, and thanks are due to them for the interest they take in the patients. The work on the farm has proceeded steadily. In addition to the usual routine work, fencing, draining, and roadmaking operations have been carried on throughout the year. All departments of the staff deserve great credit for the manifest interest they take in the patients' welfare, for their endeavours to make the Hospital as pleasing as possible, and for the ready way they adapt themselves to changing conditions. PORIRUA MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Hayes reports : — I have the honour to present my report for the year 1927. On the Ist January there were 1,322 patients on the register (723 males, 599 females). At the the end of the year there were 1,408 patients (762 males, 646 females). The total admissions for the year were 291 (158 males, 133 females), and the total discharged recovered were 97 (50 males, 47 females). The total under care during the year was 1,613, and the number died was 81. The principal cause of death was senile decay. At the beginning of the year there were 58 voluntary boarders (27 males, 31 females), and at the end of the year 67 (27 males, 40 females). The total of voluntary boarders admitted was 37, readmitted 26, discharged 47, committed 2, and died 5. During the year the following buildings have been completed : The admission cottage, " Bella Vista," the new male villa, and a residence for an Assistant Medical Officer. The opening of the cottage and the villa has completed the neuropathic unit, and the examination and treatment of all admissions is now effected in this unit, excepting such cases as have an obviously hopeless prognosis. Two classes, one for each sex, have been organized for physical exercises and games. These are in the hands of a masseur and masseuse respectively, who supplement their class-work with massage and electrical therapy upon the recent admissions. Their efforts will be greatly helped by the installation and outfitting of a treatment centre at Rauta. In the Main Building there is still considerable overcrowding, particularly on the female side ; and, although some slight relief will be given when the occupation of the Nurses' Home in course of erection takes place, it will become necessary for extension of accommodation or a reduction in numbers. Renovation of the Main Building inside and outside is a pressing need, as also is the structural alteration to the kitchen and dining-hall to accommodate the increased numbers. The removal of the piggeries from the vicinity of the villas still remains a necessity. The store, too, is urgently in need of extension for similar reasons. A sanatorium for the accommodation of seven female tubercular patients has been erected and will soon be occupied. Letter-boxes have been placed in the wards, and ensure the privacy of correspondence to the office. Sitting-up parties have been arranged for parole, and well-conducted patients in the parole villas and wards ; these patients are allowed to sit up later than the others, and appreciate this variation from their routine. Female nurses are in one of the male parole villas and in the new villa of the neuropathic unit,' and their presence in these situations is of considt rable value. The clinic at Wellington Hospital continues io afford a valuable means of treating neurosis and psychoneurosis, arid is a channel for the admissions of suitable voluntary boarders of all types.

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