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Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1917, Page 2

In connection with the “Black list’’, Sir James Alien i n reply to Mr. Jennings has explained- the steps taken by tlie Defence Department with respect to the case of every reservist who lias been called up for service by ballot and has not been located by his group commander. As so<>u as a man .is called up for, service by ballot, the group commander posts to him. at his last address an order to parade for medical examination. If he fails to respond, inquiries axe made through the post office and the police to ascertain if any later information is available as to his whereabouts. If these inquiries are without result the case is referred by tlie group commander to lieauqu«rters for action, under section 13. Headquarters then refer the case no base records to ascertain if the ro servist is on their records ns a member of the Expeditionary Force to tlio internal Affairs Department* to ascertain if there is any record of a permit, or passport having been issued to the man to the Government Statistician to ascertain if any advice has been received since, the ballot of any change of abode and to the, Registrar-general to ascertain if there is any record of the man’s death. If the man cannot bo- uneed by tlioso inquiries his name is gazetted under Section 13.

Tub annual the Inspector general of Mental Hospitals for the year ended Dec. 31st last laid on the table of the House of Representatives by Hon. G. W. ltussel states the number of patients on the register at the beginning of the year was 4200, comprising 2448 mals and 1752 females; at the end 4375, comprising 2558 males and 1820 females. The ratio of patients on the register to population exclusive of Maoris was 39.46 pu 10,000 (males 45.89, female 32.97), or one patient in 253. Including Maoris whose number on the register was oniy 38, the ratio was lin 263. Of the 879 cases admitted, one-sixth were of patients who had previously been treated to recovery in our institutions, craving the number of first admissions 737, mi increase compared with 1915, of 86. The total number of patients discharged (excluding transfers) was 415, of which 331 were discharged as recovered The remaining 84, though not recovered were sufficiently well to be placed under the care of relatives and friends. The deaths numbered 289. There wot. 160 pationts over 60 years of age admatted and the principal assigned cause of insifnity in the case of 118 of these was senility. ‘Referring to a number of, these cases, the reports says : —lt is pot right that such patients should be Sllihg our infirmary beds. The matter of providing special accommodation is under consideration now, but lieloro entering upon the expenditure and accepting the policy involved, one would ■ like to know whether the charitable nid institutions cannot carry out the nuring, caret, and supervision of the aged who are mentally infirm; and, if they cannot, I am of opinion that . the boards should pay this department tor the maintenance of patients transferred from these institutions. , This ' year’s building programme is a further contribuion o classificaonf iy(iotp—er contribution to classification. Among the. plans prepared is one giving offect to the Minister’s wish to moot t*ho representatives of relatives who are willing to pay considerably more for. patients in whom they are interested than the maximum of one guinea a week. Regarding the maximum payment, the report states um,. if allowance were made for interest- on buildings, the cost per head would oxeeod the maximum permitted to he charged, and it is considered that the time has como to consider the revising of the maximum. The average net oost per patient i during the year worked out at £32 9s 2sd.