SUNNYSIDE ALYLUM.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 7, 8 June 1874, Page 3

SUNNYSIDE ALYLUM.

The presentation to the Provincial Council of Dr Paley's report upon the various lunatic asylums of the co'ony affords an opportunity of noting the impmvemenls and alterations which have taken place during the past few months at Sunnyside. In the first place, it may be stated that a portion of the women's wards in the new asylum having been completed—those for refractory and convalescent patients—a number of the latter have been removed from the old building, a step rendered necessaiy by overcrowding, and one which has been very beneficial in its effects, both as regards the health and the progression towards recovery of the patients. As we shall speak more in detail of the arrangements of this part of the institution and the various improvements carried out, further comment now is not necessary.

As recommended by the inspector of the asylum in one of his reports, the institution is now connected by means of the telegraph with the police depot, so that in case of fire or other calamity, assistance from town could be promptly secured. The apparatus which, by the way, has the appearance of a very handsome piece of furniture is fitted up in the reception room for visitors in the old building, and is worked by means of a very simple code of signals. It is not like the ordinary telegraph instruments, being fitted with an electric bell, upon which, instead of the tape as in other instruments, the signals are given. The apparatus was manufactured by Mr W. G. Meddings, and is a very creditable piece of workmanship. It is intended, we believe, to introduce similar means of communication with other Government establishments.

Leaving the old building, we come next to the wing of the new Asylum, which is finished and partially occupied. It is built of concrete, and is finished and fitted both outside and inside in a very substantial manner. The wards below are fitted up for refractory cases, and patients who are making slight improvement on this condition. On each side of the corridor at the western end are two wards constructed especially for very bad cases. These are so arranged as to exclude light altogether, which is found in very bad cases to be the only way in which subduing influence can exerted. They are fitted with double doors so as to prevent the noise being heard in other parts of the building. The lower portion is colored a warm cheerful tint throughout, and after leaving the refractory wards the patients are brought into a room fitted up comfortably. Here they remain until sufficiently recovered to be removed to the convalescent ward up stairs. The lower ward we may say is fitted with store, scullery, day room, attendants' room, &c. On ascending to the upper floor, there is noticeable a thorough change, both in color of the walls, furniture, &c, so as to completely disassociate the lower ward from the mind of the patient. At the western end of the upper corridor the large window has been eonverted into a very excellent imitation of stained glass by the application of the new process of vitromanie. The various dormitories along this corridor are very comfortably furnished, and wear a homelike appearance, which must tend greatly to the recovery of the patients. Throughout the whole building, we may note, there is no iron bars to the windows, nor any outward signs of restraint. At the eastern end of the corridor there is the storeroom, where the apparel of the patients is kept, and opposite is the attendants' room. In close proximity is the day-room, a very fine apartment; the windows filled with flowers, and there are also several pieces of statuary, some good pictures, and a number of singing birds. It may be noticed that notwithstanding flowers are placed in every ward in the institution,' Mr Seager has never had a single case of wilful breakage or damage. This ward has attached to it, bath room, scullery, &c. Each ward, it may be said, is complete in itself, having all the necessary accommodation, so that each attendant is independent of the other, and responsible for the good order of the department under her charge.

So far as regards the interior arrangements. We will now briefly note what has been done outside. In front of the new asylum the ground has been levelled and trenched ready for planting, and the fence has been erected. Towards the laundry, the fence dividing the airing court of the convalescents from that of the refractory cases has been erected, and it has a sort of a bent top so as to form a shelter. In the bays of the fence little gardens have been planted, each of which are under the supervision of a patient, and it is intended to give prizes for the best kept garden at the end of the year. The ground in front is intended to be planted with shade trees, having a serpentine walk running round it, with a fountain in the centre, fed by the tank which supplies the institution, the overflow from which will be used to flush the drains. In the refractory airing court, a large mound has been formed in the centre, with a low concrete retainingwall at the foot. This is intended to be sown with grass, having a path leading up to a summer house, placed on the summit, from which a fine view of the surrounding country is obtained. The corners of the yard are planted with trees, and seats will be placed at various parts. Altogether the work done has been capitally executed by the male patients, who have carried out all the levelling, &c, and the improvement noticable since a visit paid a few months since is very great. Everything throughout the institution is in splendid order, shewing watchful supervision and care on the part of the steward, Mr Seager.