THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3840, 20 April 1881, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1881.

The much talked about Wellington Asylum enquiiy is orer, and the report of the Commission is in the hands'of the Government. Superintendent Whitelaw has been found guilty of the grossest cruelty and brutality, besides having committed some financial irregularities. The Inspector, Dr. Skae, is very much to be blamed for recommending the appointment of a man like Whitelaw, possessing no special qualifications for the office. Not 7 long ago Dr Skae was appointed Inspector of Asylums, with a great flourish of trumpets, and everyone thought that with a man so immaculate and clever as he at the helm matters would go merry as a wedding bell. But if this is all the benefit which the Wellington Asylum— under the Inspector's very nose —has derived from Dr Skae, what is his supervision of the asylums in distant provinces worth. Several minor sins of omission are sheeted home to Dr Skae, all clearly showing he is not the right man in the right place. Dr France, -the medical officer of the institution, is found by fcb.6 Commissioners to' have attempted no treatment to cure mental disorders. What a pandemonium this asylum must have bpen—cruelties beggaring description, overcrowded, and no attempt made tp cure the unfortunates bereft of reason. The country demands that a radical reform be introduced in the management of our asylums and eleemosynary institutions, and we have no doubt that ere now the Government have a measure prepared to meet the wants of the case. It is our private opinion that such institutions are never better managed than when the Superintendent, House SiirgeoD, or whatever he may be- is directly under the control of a local committee., We notice that Whitelaw has been arrested for cruelty, and we trust that his fearful inhumanity will meet its deserts.