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The maintenance staffs have been fully occupied with the necessary repairs. During the last six months the slipping nature of the country has been more in evidence than ever. Its effects are well seen on the female side and in certain of the residences, and the constantly recurring breaks in water-mains and sewers due to it are a source of considerable worry. Garden and farming activities have been carried on as usual and call for no special comment. The general health of the patients has been good. Electric convulsive treatment continues to show its value, particularly in depressed cases. Mr. M. A. Falconer, the Neuro-surgeon, performed leucotomy in three cases in which all other forms of treatment had failed. One of these is discharged and very well, and another is still in the hospital and has shown a marked improvement; the third case was transferred to another hospital, and I do not know the ultimate result in that case. Mrs. R. E. S. Reeves and Mr. A. Steven, the Official Visitors, have visited frequently and have been very helpful. To the latter and to the Patients' and Prisoners Aid Society, of which he is the chaplain, I am very grateful for several entertainments which have been provided for the patients both at Seacliff and Waitati. Mr. C. B. Barrowclough, the District Inspector, having returned from service overseas, has resumed his duties, and to him I have to express my thanks. Once again I have to record my gratitude to various members of the staffs of the Medical School and the public hospital for their help and assistance with clinical investigations. Sir Charles Hercus and Professor D'Ath have been particularly helpful. At the end of the year a number of nursing trainees from Great Britain joined the nursing staff, and their advent afforded some measure of relief to the harassed nursing staff. During the year Dr. R. T. Hay left to go to Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer, and his position as Deputy Superintendent was filled later in the year by the appointment of Dr. D. G. McLachlan. Dr. H. R. Bennett joined the staff, and is stationed at Waitati. I have to offer my thanks to the staff generally for their loyal co-operation. Table I. —Showing the Admissions, Readmissions, Discharges, and Deaths in Mental Hospitals during the Year 1946 M. F. T. In mental hospitals, Ist January, 1946 .. .. .. .. 4,470 3,934 8,404 M. F. T. Admitted for the first time .. .. 544 621 1,165\ aA ~ 7sa , Readmitted .. .. .. ..101 167 268/ Total under care during the year .. .. .. 5,115 4,722 9,837 Discharged and died— Recovered .. .. .. .. 183 270 453 Not recovered .. .. .. 107 125 232 Died .. .. .. .. 269 281 550 559 676 1,235 (Not including transfers ; Males, 114 ; females, 296.) Remaining in mental hospitals, 31st December, 1946 .. .. 4,556 4,046 8,602 Increase on 31st December, 1945 .. .. .. 86 112 198 Average number resident during the year .. .. .. .. 4,266 3,706 7,972

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