NEW PRIVATE LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2672, 30 October 1882, Page 3

NEW PRIVATE LUNATIC ASYLUM.

In response to an invitation, a member of our (“ Daily Times’ ”) staff paid a visit to the new buildings erected by Mr Hume, at Wakari, to he known at Ashburn Hall, and used for the purpose of a private lunatic asylum. The site chosen is in all respects an excellent one, as it has an abundant supply of pure water with admirable natural drainage. The building, which is IGOft long, stands on an estate 90 acres in extent, and is situate on the North Taieri road, about three and a half miles from Dunedin. It stands at a sufficient elevation to command a full view of the ocean and harbour. The house that was on the estate has been utilised for the present as a residence for Mr Hume, and immediately at the hack the new building has been erected. It is two storeys high, and contains accommodation for eighteen male and twenty-two female patients, with large sitting and dining rooms, accommodation foxwarders, baths, pantries, <tc. The bedrooms, which are most comfortable, and are being very nicely furnished, have an average capacity of over 700 cubic feet. All patients will have separate bedrooms, and provision has been made for those who may desire private sittingrooms. The corridors, which extend the length of the building, are wide and lofty, and attention is drawn to the admirable provision that has been made for ventilation both in them and in the bedrooms opening from them. The latter, although small, are well 'lighted and exceedingly cheerful in appearance—advantages which experience has shown to he most requisite in the treatment of the insane. The rooms throughout are plastered and dadoed ; the floors and most of the partitions have been deafened. A special feature is the iron window-sashes, which have been designed and adopted by the architects (Messrs Drew and Lloyd) with a view to obviating the appearance of restraint that is given by the use of iron bars or strongly locked shutters. The pages, of course, are small, which merely gives the window a quaint and not unpleasing appearance, and the iron frames have been painted to resemble wood. In such an establishment, security against fire is, of course, a most important consideration, and special provision for escape has been made by the construction of two flights of steps outside the building at the rear. Besides this, fire hoses have been supplied in the male and female departments of the building, both upstairs and down, and the water supply is excellent, as, owing to the height of the reservoir, a pressure of about 801 b to the square inch can be obtained. There can be little doubt that Mr Hume will bo successful in gathering as many patients as he can desire, seeing that this is the only establishment of the the kind in the colony, and as such supplies a wont long felt. The friends of many who require special treatment and attention will gladly avail themselves of an opportunity of placing them where this can be secured, as well as the comforts and conveniences of a private residence. Indeed, in the latter respect there is little left for the most fastidious to desire, as the grounds surrounding the Ashburn Hall Asylum are not only extensive, but laid out upon designs which, when complete, will present a most tasteful appearance. An orchard, plentifully supplied with fruit trees, extends to the rear of the building. It may also be mentioned that arrangements have been made for lighting the whole of the interior with Binnie’s patent gas. Mr Hume has had an almost lifelong experience with the insane, and the success that j has attended his long administration under j the Provincial and General Governments I is too well known to need remark. He has | been most fortunate in inducing Miss Fer- j gnson to act as matron, as their joint sue- j cess at the Dunedin Asylum could only | have been the result of thorough knowledge and co-operation. Mr Hume thoroughly deserves the success which will undoubtedly attend his enterprise. The medical officer is Dr. Alexander.