MENTAL CASES.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 406, 13 April 1937, Page 6

MENTAL CASES.

NEW ZEALAND’S METHODS Victorian Doctor’s Investigations. Press Association —Copyright. Auckland, May 12. Modern methods which are being followed in New Zealand in the treatment of the mentally afflicted are to be studied at first hand by Dr. J. Catarinich, newly-appointed Director of Mental Hygiene in Victoria, who arrived at Auckland 'by the Awatea today. Dr. Catarinioh’s investigation will be the direct outcome of a visit paid to the Dominion earlier this year by Mr. H. S. Bailey, a member -of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, who was deeply impressed with the work of New Zealand mental hospitals.

One of the main objectives of Dr. Catarinich’s visit will be to make a thorough inspection of the mental institution at Kingseat, near Papakura. Since his return to Melbourne Mr. Bailey has spoken enthusiastically of the villa system of laying out buildings which has been adopted at Kingseat. He has claimed, that this enables the patients to be properly classified and nursed instead of being herded in barrack-like buildings. Mr. Bailey has informed the Victorian authorities that at Kifigseat 12 villas have already been built to accommodate 660 .patients and the staff. He has described the villas as complete hospitals built about five chains apart, with quietness and rest assured. Dr. Catarinich left to-night to meet mental hospital officials at Wallington. Later he will return to Auckland, and if he approves of the methods adopted at Kingseat his recommendations will probably be observed in the design of a new mental institution for Victoria, where the problem of insufficient accommodation is reported to be acute.