WELLINGTON LUNATIC ASYLUM COMMISSION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 320, 16 April 1881, Page 2

WELLINGTON LUNATIC ASYLUM COMMISSION.

The report of the Commission on the Wellington Lunatic Asylum Enquiry was sent in yesterday, and in it the gentlemen engaged thereon report that they find tbatthe charge of violence to the patients made against the Superintendent (Mr Whitelaw) is substantiated ; and that he :is a person, from the constitutional in* firmity of his temper, wholly unsuited to take charge of those bereft of reason. .That of' indecency, in the matter of visiting female patients who had reduced themselves to a state of nudity, is also considered proven, but there ia.no allege* tion of immorality of purpose. . It.speaks in condemnatory terms of Inspector Skae's discharge of his dudes, and remarks that Dr Frances apparently has done little to -cure demented patients, the Asylum being "merely, in its present state, a place of safe-keeping for lunatics, instead of a hospital. The evidence accompanying the report covers 1156 pages of closely written foolscap, and was taken by Mr Mitchell, of the Hansard Staff. (Since the above was in type we have learned by wire that Whitelaw lias been arrested;]