H.—7.

Towards the desired separation we have now two institutions being used exclusively for congenitally defective patients. Templeton Farm Colony, near Christchurch, has grown from its modest beginning in 1929, and there are now five villas accommodating 250 boys and girls with staff. These children are those for the most part who have failed to benefit by the courses provided in special schools and special classes, but whom we deem to be capable of learning simple domestic or farm or garden work. Templeton has been a success from the beginning : it has carried out a useful function, and it has the confidence of parents. There is a growing demand from parents concerned that a similar institution should be established in the North Island, near Auckland ; one cannot fail to sympathize with the viewpoint of the parents, who find the distant separation and lack of ability to visit to be a hardship, and it is only for lack of funds that I refrain in the meantime from bringing down proposals in this direction. Our other institution reserved for defective children is the old Nelson Mental Hospital, the adult patients having for the most part been transferred to the new hospital at Ngawhatu (Stoke Farm). This old building, which was erected in timber in 1874, is fast drawing to an end of its structural life, and a decision must soon be faced as to whether or not we should rebuild on the same site, or go farther afield, perhaps to the North Island. The children at Nelson are definitely of a lower grade than those at Templeton.. For the most of them all that can be done is to give them care and protection. Infringements op the Mental Defectives Act. From time to time information is received by the Department regarding the unlawful detention of mentally defective persons in so-called " nursing homes," which are conducted for the profit of the proprietor or lessee, but are not licensed under the Mental Defectives, or any other Act. Ample provision is made in the Act for the care of people in their own homes, and, in certain cases of temporary breakdown, for care in a general or special hospital, but the law is very stringent, and necessarily so, regarding the private care of patients for profit. An inspection is at once made of all such houses reported to us, and almost invariably the conditions regarding sanitary amenities and other matters involving the comfort and safety of the patient are found to be much below the desirable standard. We have so far been content to order the closing of these " homes " and to issue a warning, but it may be necessary to order a prosecution so as to give publicity of the relevant sections of the Act. Alterations, Additions, and Improvements. Capital expenditure on new buildings and additions and improvements amounted to £98,625 during the year, and the following summary shows the principal items making up the total, including new buildings in progress, but'not completed by the 31st March : — Auckland (£2,321). The new residence for the medical officer was completed. Formation and tar-sealing of main drives, &c., was'carried out, and extensive repairs and renovations were undertaken. Kingseat (£29,783). Four new villas were completed during the year. Additional roading, water-supply, sewage works and electric service reticulation was carried out. Tokanui (£3,797). A new villa for farm labourers was completed. Water-mains were extended and renewed, and a complete remodelling of the sewage system was undertaken. Porirua (£170). Only minor works were carried out. Nelson and Ngawhatu (£28,552). Two additional villas and a new laundry and boiler-house were completed, and the installation of the necessary machinery is well in hand. The water-supply system, including a new reservoir, was completed. A rearrangement of the electrical reticulation is in hand. Hokitika (£5,629). A new villa was completed, a new morgue erected and extensive repairs and renovations were carried out. Christchurch (£23,485). A new villa for women was erected at Sunnyside, and two additional villas were erected at Templeton. The fire-mains at Sunnyside were extended and the fire-alarm system overhauled. Good progress was maintained with the water-supply scheme at Templeton, and a kitchen was constructed at the Reception Home. Seacliff (£4,888). The Nurses' Home was rebuilt and repairs and renovations generally were undertaken.

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