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In company with Mr. F. K. Hunt, visits were regularly paid to the Inebriates' Homes on Rotoroa and Pakatoa Islands. The health of the inmates there has been satisfactory. The addition to our staff of two specially trained Occupational Therapists from England—Miss Inman and Miss Trotter —was an event of considerable importance. We had already introduced occupational therapy to this hospital. The interest of some of our staff helped the movement to a great degree, but with the advent of the two new officers a trained directional force made itself immediately felt with most beneficial results. The work is becoming well established, and in time it will embrace the whole institution. The gradual influence of this work in chronic patient wards is specially encouraging—better behaviour and less destruction is the result of attracting the interests of the inmates. However, this is by no means an easy task. A decided help to our occupational development was the recognition by the Health Department of our hospital as a training-school. Trainees were sent for tuition to fit them to instruct returned soldiers in therapeutic occupation when the time comes. These students, along with trainees from the Seacliff Mental Hospital, have been very helpful. They certainly had the benefit of expert training, and the practical application of their schooling was helpful both to themselves and to the patients. The year's progress in occupational work is encouraging. However, the objective will not be actually attained until at least 90 per cent, of the inmates are engaged and interested in some form of ploy. The average number engaged was 55 males and 227 females. New additions and constructions comprise a hairdressing-saloon of attractive appearance, erected in the grounds for the use of female patients, to whom it gives a considerable amount of interest, besides undoubtedly stimulating personal pride which is of therapeutic value. The additions to the Nurses' Home have been completed. An entrance hall to F. 7 made by the alteration of a dormitory gives an attractive introduction to the hospital to newly arrived patients. A glasshouse was built for the nursery garden. The usual general painting and maintenance programme was carried out, but many other minor, though important, works received attention. The annual bazaar was held in December and, thanks to the enthusiasm of the Matron, the staff, and friends, the sum of £240 was realized. Mrs. Morrison, an old friend of the hospital, instituted a bowling club for the women patients. This was a great success and certainly will be continued in the coming year. Like every other hospital, we are beginning to feel the effects of the war. Many of our staff have been called up, and suitable replacements have not been easy. Our best wishes go out to those who have gone on service. There is an inevitable shortage of Medical Officers, which throws much extra work and responsibility on those remaining. I would like to express my gratitude to my Medical Officers for the way in which they have uncomplainingly accepted the additional burden. The nurses have formed a Patriotic Club, and during the year have provided many useful and needed articles for the Forces. Four nurses entered for the State Preliminary Examination, and it redounds to their credit that .they all passed. We have all felt a great loss in the death of the Rev. Mr. Rattray. During the time he was associated with us he proved himself a genuine and interested friend to all. Finally my thanks are due to all the members of the staff for their helpful work during the year.

KINGSEAT MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Hunter reports :■ — The total number of patients under care during the year was 711 (381 males and 330 females), with a weekly average of 636. Patients admitted for the first time numbered 10 (5 males and 5 females) and 2 male patients and 2 female patients were readmitted during the year. Patients admitted by transfer were 96 (70 males and 26 females). Transfers to other hospitals numbered 5(3 males and 2 females). There were 9 patients (4 males and 5 females) discharged, and there were 15 deaths (9 males and 6 females). The total number of voluntary boarders under care during the year was 16 (10 males and 6 females), with a weekly average of 11. Boarders admitted for the first time numbered 6 (4 males and 2 females). One female was readmitted. There were 6 male boarders discharged, and there were no deaths. The general health of both patients and staff has been excellent. Owing to the outbreak of war there has been a slowing-down of building activity. The Nurses' Home, which was commenced the previous year, has been completed, furnished, and equipped, but the opening has been delayed due to the non-arrival of sewage pumps, which are expected in February, 1941. The 300,000-gallon water-storage reservoir has been completed and connected with our previous supply, but the direct main from the new reservoir to the hospital, although installed, has not been connected up. A male villa, No. 7, has been opened by the transfer of 50 patients from Porirua. Villa 8, another villa for male patients, is being used as a temporary Nurses' Home, and the opening of the new Nurses' Home early in 1941 will release accommodation for a further 50 male patients. The increasing number of patients and staff is overtaxing the accommodation available for entertainments. More patients than can be accommodated are wanting to attend the various entertainments and recreations. I hope that this difficulty will be overcome in the near future by the building of a hall. I regret that the Hospital has lost, through ill health, the services of Miss M. A. McNoe, who retired on Ist December. She has been at Kingseat since 1932, when Villas 1 and 2 were opened, and, together

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