THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Evening Star, Issue 4137, 31 May 1876, Page 3

THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.

My. text has proved a long one. I hope you will be able to make something out of it.—l am, &c., A. Z. Dunedin, May 31.

To the Editor. Sir, — Whether, with respect to the above institution, are we to attach most weight to the opinion of your correspondent “A. B;C.” or to that of Dr Paley ? “ A.8.C.” without, I presume, any inspection on his part, broadly insinuates that the Asylum is not such a gem as some people consider it. Dr Paley, after the most careful inspection—an inspection embracing all the ramifications of the institution, and all.the details of its management—reported to the Government that only one thing was needed to make the arrangement complete, and that was the appointment of a night watchman. Until it is known who “ A.8.C.” is, _ I for one must accept Dr Paley’s opinion as the correct one. But apart from that, I have no doubt 1 know as much about the Asylum as “A.8.C.” does, although he writes with the air of “one who knows.” I have watched its progress from the first, 2nd, comparing the present with the past,' and peeping in view the immense difficulties overcome, I think, whether it be spoken of as a gem or no, it- is a something of which the Superintendent and the weU be proud. I however agree with your correspondent that the credit of making the institution what it is is drfe almost exclusively, if not wholly bq, to Mr Hume. I must say “A.B.C.V* letter is a queer one. It professes to be about the Asylum, and, after one solitary disparaging remark having reference to it, he wanders away to the medical men of ihd Hospital and their honorarium. Evidently he has his ‘ ‘ knife ” in Dr Hulme; but since he has referred to the Doctor’s salary, I may be allowed toexpress' the opinion that it is not too large, seeing that he has to visit the Hospital and Asylum daily and the Gaol three times a week, and that, in addition to his ordinary visits, he is liable to be called—and is frequently called—during all hours of the day and night. A . little consideration, therefore, will show that Dr. Halme’stime is so broken up by his official duties that it is impossible he can carry on a regular practice. No first-class man could be got to do the work for less. The fact that Dr. Hulme has ceased his connection with the Asylum escaped my memory while writing the above, but that does not affect the force of my remarks.- I am, 4c., Dunedin, May 31. D.E.P.

A young man named Joseph Rolfe, twentyone years of age, residing at Gininderra Creek, died rather suddenly recently. The ‘Queanbeyan Age’ states that the deceased, who felt unwell, applied to a man who practices as a doctor there, and was told it was the typhoid fever. He was recommended to drink large quantities of rum at frequent intervals. He did as he was told, and died next morning. The police have the matter in hand. - !