THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4261, 16 November 1874, Page 2

THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Tile contrast between the old Lunatic Asylum at Ivarori, and the present one off the Adelaide-road, could not be more marked. Inside the new building the appointments and arrangements are such as to secure to the patients tho comforts of a well-conducted home, while every care is exercised that restraint and watchfulness on the part of the keepers and matrons shall not be apparent to the unfortunate inmates. The grounds surrounding the building are being tastefully laid out and planted, and afford occupation for those of the patients who are able to work. But, although the new asylum is not to be compared with the former one, there are still many improvements which experience has proved to be necessary, principally of a trivial nature, and which a small sum would remedy. The new asylum was opened on 20th May, 1873, when the patients, numbering twentyeight, were transferred from the old building at ICarori. Twenty-four of these are still inmates, being incurable, and four have been discharged cured. There was soon a rapid increase in number, chronic cases being sent from tho hospital and gaol; and the friends of patients who were above the pauper class were glad to avail themselves of the superior accomodation and care guaranteed in the new institution. There have been nine such cases. The number of demented persons at present in the asylum is forty-six, twenty-one of whom ore males, afflicted with the following phases of idiotcy ; Three epileptic, one paralytic, one inebriate, two idiots, fourteen incurables. Of the twenty-five females, two are paralytic, two doubtful, two convalescent, one recurrent mania, one epileptic, and seventeen incurables. It is a fact worthy of notice that the female patients predominate by four. The asylum will comfortably accommodate sixty, but it is to be hoped that some time will elapse ere the building requires to be added to to afford increased accommodation. In the asylums in Dunedin, Canterbury, and Auckland admissions and discharges are much more frequent than here, owing, no doubt, to the digging population in the neighborhood of those towns, lucky diggers “ knocking down ’’ their “ piles ” being a fruitful source of temporary insanity. Formerly the patients admitted were invariably illiterate, but the rule is now being reversed, the library being availed of to a great extent. In the way of amusement there are a good billiard table, chess and draught boards, dominoes, lawn and parlor croquet, microscopes, and stereoscopes, many of which were the gifts of a few regular visitors who take an interest in the institution. The library is not large, containing about a hundred volumes. An opportunity here presents itself for those of our citizens whose libraries and book-helves are not capacious enough, to present their spare literature for the benefit of the unfortunate inmates. The volumes that now constitute the meagre library hear every evidence of having been well read. Regulations framed - by the Inspector of Asylums allow of a musical or theatrical entertainment being held weekly, which the keeper affords the patients the full benefit of. Sometimes amusements on more than the ordinary scale are afforded the inmates, amateur parties of performers volunteering their services. The band of H.M.S. Blanche, the Wellington Serenaders, members of St. Peter’s and the Wesleyan choirs, and tho Artillery Baud, have all afforded gratification during their visits. A performance by the Rechabite Brass Band is now on the tapis, and, no doubt, the matter only requires mentioning to secure ample amusement in the future. The attendance at tho entertainments by visitors from the city has not been large, but with the fine evenings which are now sure to follow, the audiences will no doubt bo greater. The portion of tho building allotted for Divine service, and for purposes of recreation and amusement, is large and lofty, affording sitting accommodation for a couple of hundred persons. A small platform has been erected slightly above the floor, and an excellent piano, presented by Mr. R. Burrott —also a harmonium —add not a little to the enjoyments of the institution. The visitors’ hook does not record a great number of visitors, probably owing to the fact that the Wellington public have not been accustomed to visit and take interest in the former institution. Tlie asylums in other provinces are almost, if not more than, as frequently visited as the museums. Religious instruction is landly furnished by Mr. Gaby, a reader licensed by the Bishop of Wellington, who attends regularly every Sabbath afternoon; besides occasional visits from clergymen of the several denominations. An inspector and four official visitors make visits of inspection, which we may term “surprises,” no day nor hour being appointed when they arc to arrive. There is no resident doctor, hut Dr. France attends every morning; and in the event of anything unusual befalling a patient he is immediately sent for. Dr. Paloy, Inspector of Asylums in Now Zealand, considers a resident medical man unnecessary in institutions with fewer than one hundred inmates; and, as regards the Wellington Asylum, the correctness of his view is fully borne out. The patients, as a rule, enjoy excellent. health, the situation of the asylum being in a great measure conducive to that desideratum. Ample occupation is provided. Tho men labor in the vegetable garden and grounds, and thc amount of work which has been accomplished in levelling hillocks and filling in gullies shows idle- ■ ness is not a prevailing sin. Tlie kitchen garden is under the charge of a patient who, in other respects almost harmless and sane, lias an amiable weakness for attempting _ his wife’s life. Tho usefulness of this persou-is apparent by a look at the garden, which is excellently

laid out and well kept. The women knit all their own and the men’s stockings, make their own clothing, and also all the sheeting required, wash patients’ clothes, and perform all the cleaning and washing. Xu fact, all the work of the place is done by the inmates, and when it is considered that sixteen of the number are helpless, it will be evident that laziness does not prevail. Most of the patients are allowed the use of knives and forks, table-cloths are spread at meal times, attendants carve and serve out joints, crockery is available and used, and everything, as far as is practicable, is done to make the institution assume the semblance of a home. The Provincial Government, under whose control the asylum is, does justice by the keeper. ■ There is no stint of anything which is requisite, medical comforts and donations towards objects of recreation being liberally supplied. Altogether the Asylum, instead of being a disgrace as formerly, may now be pointed to with satisfaction and pride by every resident of the province and city of Wellington.