H—7.

During the year part of Toitoi ward was partitioned off and altered to make a day-room for the older boys and in El Nido the bathroom was altered and improved and a kitchenette constructed. At Nelson the laundry-yard was enlarged and at Stoke a few tubs were installed to cope with woollen washing there. These measures have helped slightly, but laundry facilities for the two hospitals are very inadequate, and a new and larger laundry at Stoke is a necessity. The accommodation for nurses is inadequate and the enlargement of the rooms at Stoke will have to be considered soon. In addition to routine work on the farm the internal fences on Yorks property were renovated and new cow-byres were erected in Nelson in place of the old ones destroyed by fire. The milkingplant was altered and improved at Stoke. Thanks are due to the people of Nelson for their generous donations to the patients' recreation in cash and goods. The Ministers' Association has conducted services both at Nelson and Stoke. In conclusion, I wish to thank the staff generally for their work during the year.

HOKITIKA MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Hart reports — I have the honour to submit my report for the year ending 31st December, 1931. On the Ist January, 1931, there were 285 patients on the register. During the year 23 patients were admitted, 5 were discharged, and 1 transferred. The total number under care was 308, and 290 (178 males and 112 females) remained on the register at the close of the year. At the beginning of the year there were on the register 2 voluntary boarders. Eight were admitted during the year, and of these 4 were discharged, 2 were committed, leaving 4 on the register on 31st December, 1931. The general health of the patients has been good, deaths numbering only 12 during the year. Developmental work has continued on the farm, and during the year 9 chains of roads have been constructed and 15 acres of virgin ground cleared, drained, ploughed, and left fallow. To the forestry has been added approximately a thousand red cedars, whilst much work has been done in the nursery raising cedars, Pinus insignis, and shrubs for future planting and shelter-belts round the paddocks. Additions have been made to the Matron's cottage and the Hospital garage. The old farm buildings have been demolished, and the new structures occupied. Fire mains have been carried to Huia, and water-mains to the farm buildings. Work commenced in the new laundry in April, and with the installation of the necessary pumpingmachinery we have now our own water-supply. The latter, as well as being more economical, ensures an adequate supply in case of fire. The fire-station has been reorganized and moved to a better site. It is hoped to have the new female villa ready for occupation in March, 1932. In February, 1931, a monthly clinic was opened at the Greymouth Hospital, and during the year 47 separate cases were referred for investigation and advice. The usual bowling and tennis tournaments were held during the year, and the annual picnic to Kokatahi was enjoyed by all. We are much indebted to many people of Hokitika for their gifts at Christmas time. Thanks are due also to the Municipal Band and church choirs for their frequent visits, and to those who have so willingly given time and talent in arranging concerts and plays for our entertainment. I regret to have to report the death of Mr. A. Clifton, who as Official Visitor has been associated with the Hospital for twenty-five years. He had always shown the greatest interest in the patients' welfare, and will be greatly missed. The Official Visitors have paid regular visits. In conclusion, I wish to thank the staff for the good work done during the year.

CHRISTCHURCH MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. McKillop reports — I have the honour to forward my annual report for the year ending 31st December, 1931. On the Ist January, 1931, there were 1,051 patients on the register. During the year 275 patients (150 men and 125 women) were admitted, 69 patients were discharged, and 14 were transferred to other institutions. The total number of committed patients under care during the year was 1,326, and 1,169 remained on the 31st December, 1931. Voluntary boarders received during the year numbered 133, and 54 were discharged, 4 died, and 7 were committed. The general health of the patients has been very satisfactory. There were 74 deaths (29 men and 45 women), the chief cause of death being senile decay. Although the new villa completed last year has relieved to a certain extent the congestion on the male side of the institution, we are still overcrowded, more particularly on the female side, where the erection of a villa for old people has become very necessary. The economic situation has been responsible in many instances for the admission of aged and infirm cases who previously had been looked after privately. The problem of finding accommodation for patients suffering from general physiological decay will have to be faced, and it will probably be found more economical to build separate institutions for this class of patient. The recovery-rate compared with the number of admissions has been less than usual, but this is accounted for by the great percentage of incurable cases admitted —no less than 107 of the 275 admissions being congenitally weakminded,

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