SEA VIEW MENTAL HOSPITAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1921, Page 3

SEA VIEW MENTAL HOSPITAL.

BISHOP .JULIUS’ CONDEMNATION

CONDITIONS A DISGRACE

[by TELEOItAPII —I’ER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

CHRISTCHURCH, July 29

“I am not exaggerating, when I s ay that the Mental Hospital at Hokitika is a disgrace to civilized community,” Bishop Julius said to-day. The men arc sheltered all night in.an old gaol, which is alongside the Mental Hospital and which on account ol overcrowding in the Mental Hospital was attached to it. The old gaol always was an abominable bole, cold dirty and dark. In the day-time, tlit* men are crowded into a. fair sized room but there is no possible classification of them. The women arc in a still worse case. Their sanitation, dwelling room and yards, apart from their cleanliness, which the members of the staff try to maintain, arc shocking, absolutely shocking. The site on the bill above the Borough could not be surpassed, but the use made of that advantage is disgraceful. The institution is on the West Coast, and is out of sight and out of mind. Only those who are in it and those who are associated with, its work and a few others, know of its condition. T visited it when I was on the West Const this week, t wish that other visitors to the West Const would see it also. Tf they did, they would support the appeal T now make for the improvement or for public remonstrance. Bishop Julius spoke bigldv of the members of the staff, who be said, did their best under impossible conditions.