REPORTS LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN NEW ZEALAND. (In continuation of Reports presented on 26th day of August, 1870.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1871 Session I, G-26

G.—No. 26.

REPORTS LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN NEW ZEALAND. ( In continuation of Reports presented on 26th day of August, 1870.)

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON.

1871.

G.—No. 25.

PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND. No. 1. Mr. H. H. Turton to His Honor T. B. Gillies. Sir, — Auckland, 21st December, 1870. I beg to forward my first Half-yearly Report from 18th February to 31st July, in accordance with section 60 of " Tho Lunatics Act, 1868." My delay in doing this has arisen from a misapprehension, owing to the date of my appointment, and the fact that no mileage for travelling expenses has yet been allowed, as such, by the Provincial Government. I have, &c, H. Hanson Turton, His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. Inspector of Asylums. Report under Section 60 of " The Lunatics Act, 1865," from 18th February to 31st July, 1870. 1. Official visits to the Asylum, during twenty-six days ... ... ... 17 2. Visits paid elsewhere in reference to patients ... ... ... ... 83 Visits received in reference to patients ... ... ... ... 31 11_ 3. Patients seen ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,605 4. Miles traversed to and from the Asylum ... ... ... ... , 187 do. elsewhere on Asylum business ... ... ... ... 86 273 5. Letters sent and received ... ... ... ... ... 139 H. Hanson Turton, Inspector of Asylums.

No. 2. Mr. H. H. Turton to His Honor the Deputy Superintendent, Auckland. Sir,— Parnell, 9th August, 1871. I have the honor to forward the Half-yearly Statement of the Inspector of Asylums, namely, from the Ist February to the 31st July, 1871, as required by the 60th section of " Tho Lunatics Act, 1868." I have, &c, H. fi. Turton, Inspector. Hia Honor tho Deputy Superintendent, Auckland. Salf-yearly Statement under section 60 of " The Lunatics Act, 1868, from Ist February to 31st July, 1871. 1. Official visits made to Asylum during twenty-seven days ... ... ... 17 Official visits by Deputy during five weeks'leave of absence ... ... ... 3 20 2. Patients seen at Asylum, and elsewhere ... ... ... ... ... 1,808 3. Visits paid in reference to patients ... ... ... ... ... 96 Visits received in reference to patients ... ... ... ... ... 24 -— 120 4. Miles travelled to and from the Asylum ... ... ... ... ... 187 Miles travelled elsewhere, on Asylum affairs ... ... ... ... ... 61 > 248 5. Letters sent • ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 78 Ditto received ! ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 41 119 . H. Hanson Turton, J.P., Parnell, Auckland. Inspector of Asylums.

PROVINCE OF TARANAKI. No. 3. Dr. Rawson to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir, — New Plymouth, 14th September, 1871. There is no licensed asylum in New Plymouth at present. No lunatic was kept in confinement during the six months ending 30th June, 1871.

REPORTS ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN NEW ZEALAND.

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REPORTS ON NEW ZEALAND LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

George Alfred Gower was admitted into the gaol as a certified and dangerous lunatic, 4th August, 1871. He has been visited by me seven times up to 10th September, the distance travelled being about two miles. The department of the gaol in which the lunatic is confined, is commodious, clean, and healthy, and the lunatic himself is in good general health. I have, &c.. E. L. Rawson, M.D., Inspector of Lunatics, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. and Colonial and Provincial Surgeon.

PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON. No. 4. Mr. T. A. BOwden to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir,— Wellington, New Zealand, 17th January, 1871. I have the honor, in accordance with the regulations of clause 60 of " The Lunatics Act, 1868," to lay before you the following Annual Report with reference to the Asylums of the District of tho Province of Wellington. There is only one asylum in this district; no licensed houses. , The asylum is situated in the village of Karori, about four miles from the City of Wellington, and contains at the present time twenty-one inmates. It is an old building, standing on a site of (I think) five acres of land, and was formerly a private residence. The accommodation afforded consists only of five male wards and eight female wards, with four detached wards for violent and unruly patients. But the whole of these wards are now occupied as sleeping apartments, and several of them contain two beds, the number of inmates beiijg in excess of the accommodation. I think it desirable that both a new site and new buildings should be provided for this asylum as soon as may be possible, for the following reasons:— 1. The site itself is of insufficient size, unlcvel, and cheerless. 2. Its distance from town, and bad roads, prevent regularity in the supplies of food, Ac, particularly of fresh meat. 3. The decayed state of the old buildings renders them unfit for that extension which will be requisite. 4. A'ery considerable alterations and additions would be required to adapt the present buildings to the increasing necessities of the district. 5. The opinion is decidedly expressed by the medical officer, as well as by the keeper, that a site nearer to the city would be much preferable. I consider that increased accommodation is required for the asylum, for the following reasons i— 1. The present buildings .cannot accommodate patients of a better class than paupers, and consequently none but paupers have been received: causing both a public inconvenience, and a loss of revenue to tho asylum. 2. The present buildings do not suffice for the proper accommodation of tho present inmates. the wards being more than full, whilst there is no sleeping accommodation whatever provided for the assistant attendants; the two male assistants sleeping in the kitchen, and it being impossible to engage a female assistant (although her services are much needed, and a salary has been voted), from want of sleeping accommodation. 3. The number of patients has increased rapidly during the last five years : viz., from 12 in 1865 to 20 in 1870, and a similar rate of increase at least should be expected and provided for. I consider tho following alterations and additions to be immediately required for the proper care of the present inmates :— 1. A sleeping apartment for a female assistant. 2. Sleeping accommodation for the male assistants. 3. The completion of the kitchen and the fittings required for it. 4. A supply of water tanks for rainwater, the present supply being insufficient, and not good. 5. Baths for the immersion of patients wdiose health or condition requires it. 6. An enclosed yard for the exercise of patients who require restraint. The only irregularity or fault in tho management of the asylum which I have observed, is the inability of the keeper to furnish proper " Admission Orders " in the case of two of the present inmates, Alexander Mclntyre and Mary Irvine. These have, however, both been in the asylum for many years, are considered by the Medical Officer to-be incurable, and are both of the pauper class. The Provincial Government has also been all along aware of their detention, and has contributed rations for their support. Detailed information as to the present building and patients will be found in the Schedule to this Report, which has been kindly supplied to me by Dr. France, the medical officer of the asylum. I have, ftc, Thos. A. Bowden, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Inspector of Asylums, &c, - AVellington. for the District of the Province of Wellington.

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REPORTS ON NEW ZEALAND LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

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CLASSIFICATION, 21ST JANUARY, 1871.

TABLE OF ADMISSIONS, DISCHARGES, AND DEATS, DURING PAST YEARS.

GENERAL STATEMENT, 1ST JANUARY, 1871, KARORI ASYLUM.

No. 5. Mr. T. A. Bowden to the Hon. W. Gisborne, Sir,— Wellington, 17th January, 1871. I have the honor, in accordance with the regulations of clause 60 of "The Lunatics Act, 1868," to lay before you the following Half-yearly Report, for the half-year ending 31st December, 1870, upon the district of tho Province of Wellington : — Number of Asylums visited ... ... ... ... ... 1 Number of visits made ... ... ... ... ... 4 Number of patients seen ... ... ... ... ... 84 Number of miles travelled ... ... ... ... ... 32 I have, &c, Thos. A. Bowden, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Inspector of Asylums, &c, Wellington. for the District of the Province of Wellington. 2

Females. Age. Condition. Males. Age. Condition. iebecca Parnell Margaret Irvine Lnne McDermott lelen Lemhan... tlary Leo tfary Smith ilary Noble ane Slow ane Mason diary Robertson Tears. 43 43 37 63 53 53 45 56 51 • 36 Mania )j Dementia >» Martin Higgras Alexander Mclntyre... William Blake John Curtis ... George Henly J. E. F. Briscoe Thomas Coffee John McKenzie A.N.Wilson Alfred Webb Years. 49 48 38 34 32 30 44 40 26 24 Dementia n )> Eecorered jj )» j: j> j> >j Ij j> M jj

Years. Remaining over from previous Years. Admitted during the Year. Discharged. Died. 1862 1863 1864 1865 I860 1867 1868 1869 1870 LO 10 11 12 15 19 19 17 20 4 4 3 7 11 2 5 6 6 4 None 2 3 5 2 5 3 5 None 3 None 1 2 None 2 None 1 'otals, 9 years 18 29

Amott: Account ST OP >DA.TION. Pati: !OTS IK 1870. Remaini] ig on 31st Dee., 1870. Number of those who, having entered before 1870, still remain. A Aggregate "2 Number I* of Cubic p Feet iu "S Wards, d Ifuml Be jer of ids. Remf in Ai on Ja 1st, : lining ?yluui tnuary 1870. Admitted during year. Discharged during year. duri ing I ir- j Toi £ yes Supposed Curable. Supj Ineu losed ■able. al. i For M. For F. M. F. I F. j M. M. F. 4 ... Iff. F. M. I B 1. It F. M. F. M. F. 16-400 820 per patient. I 12. 4 2 2 ! 3 1 | 10 10 8 10 10 10 10

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REPORTS ON NEW ZEALAND LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

No. 6. Mr. T. A. Bowden to His Honor the Superintendent, AVellington. Sir, — Wellington, 17th January, 1871. I have the honor to forward, under cover —(1.) A Half-yearly Report upon the District of the Province of AVellington for the half-year ending 31st December, 1870, in accordance with clause 60 of " The Lunatics Act, 1868." (2.) An Annual Report upon the Asylums in the same district. I have, &c, Thos. A. Bowden, His Honor the Superintendent, Inspector of Asylums, &c, Wellington. for the District of the Province of Wellington.

MARLBOROUGH PROVINCE. No. 7. Mr. Wemyss to Mr. G. S. Cooper. (Telegram.) Blenheim, 11th September, 1871. All lunatics from Provinces either in Canterbury or Auckland Asylums. No Inspector's report. Wemyss, The Under Secretary, Wellington. Provincial Secretary. \ ———_■—_—■ ————————

COUNTY OF WESTLAND. No. 8. Mr. G. G. Fitz Gerald to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Office of the Inspector of Lunatic Asylums for the County of Westland, Sir, — Hokitika, 14th January, 1871. I have the honor to report as follows on the Lunatic Asylums of the County of Westland, for the six months ended 31st December, 1870. Each of my former Reports has pointed out that the provision made for our insane was insufficient, and not of such a character as to justify an expectation of satisfactory results. Since the 18th July, 1870, the date of my last Report, some changes, which cannot fail of being beneficial to the inmates, have been effected in the accommodation and general management of the asylum attached to the Upper Gaol. Nothing whatever has been done in the way of improvement at the asylum on the Hospital Reserve, although the want of such improvement is apparent to the most cursory observation, and I have taken many opportunities of calling the attention of the County Chairman to the requirements of the case. lam led to believe that the County Council are anxious to take the whole question of the management of the lunatics into consideration as speedily as possible, and to deal with it in a liberal and philanthropic spirit; but I much fear that the want of adequate means will hinder them, as it has done hitherto, from accomplishing a thorough reform, where such reform is very much wanted. 1 purpose, in this Eeport, laying before you a statement relating to each of the asylums separately : the number of inmates, the house accommodation and provision for exercise and amusement, the plan of supervision, the food and clothing, and the cost of maintenance. It will be advisable that I should then offer some suggestions as to the direction in which it appears to me that changes should be made; and I believe that a moderate expenditure, judiciously applied, will lower the cost to the County, will add to the comfort of the patients, and conduce materially to their recovery. The total number of patients confined at the cost of Westland on 31st December, 1870, was thirty-five. Of this number six (all males) were detained in the Sunnyside Asylum, near Christchurch, by an arrangement made at the time of the separation of AVestland from Canterbury : their cost per head to the County was £1 2s. per week. No lunatics have been sent from AVestland to Canterbury since the month of January, 1869, the Government of that Province having declined to receive them unless the County bore the expense of adding another wing to the Sunnyside Asylum for their special accommodation. The number of patients in the asylum attached to the Upper Gaol on the 31st December, 1870, was eighteen, all males. They were classed by the medical officer, as follows : —• Suffering from mania ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 Suffering from dementia ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 Suffering from monomania ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Suffering from delusions ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 Suffering from hereditary insanity ... ... ... ... ... 2 Total ... ... ... ... ... 18 Number treated during the half-year ... ... ... ... ... 25 Admitted ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 9 Disharged cured ... ... ... ... ... ... .. 5 Died (epilepsy) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Ten of the patients remaining in the asylum on 31st December, had been in other lunatic asylums in New Zealand, or the Australian Colonies. The medical officer states that the chief cause of insanity amongst the patients has been intemperance. The crowded state of the asylum on the

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G.-No. 26.

Hospital Reserve during the year 1869, and the additions which were being continually made to the numbers, in consequence of the refusal of the Canterbury Government to receive lunatics from Westland, compelled the then County Chairman to provide further immediate accommodation. As a temporary expedient, he determined to use for this purpose a portion of the Upper Gaol not occupied by convicts. I find on reference that the average number of lunatics confined in the Upper Gaol during the six months ending December, 1869, was twelve. Up to that time, and during the early part of 1870, the gaol was not declared a lunatic asylum. The patients were committed by the Magistrates to the asylum, but were sent to the gaol, there being absolutely no room for them in the former place. On my earnest and repeated representations of the illegality of this proceeding, the County Chairman took steps to have the Upper Gaol gazetted a lunatic asylum. This was done on the 7th February, of last year, Mr. Cleary, the gaoler, being appointed keeper of the asylum, and the County Surgeon, medical officer. Very shortly after lunatics were sent to the Upper Gaol, Mr. Cleary endeavoured to make arrangements for keeping the lunatics separate from the convicts. They took their meals at different hours and occupied different cells. There was, however, but one exercise yard, and this being used by lunatics and convicts in common, it was found impossible to keep them apart. During the half-year ended 31st December, 1870, the changes to which I alluded at the commencement of this Report were made. A portion of the gaol yards was set apart for the exclusive use of the lunatics, and dividing fences were erected. The passage connecting the wing occupied by the lunatics with the rest of the gaol was blocked up, the only communication between the buildings being a trap for passing meals from the kitchen of the prison to the lunatics' mess-room. Outside the gaol enclosure, to the northward, a piece of ground, formerly used as a garden by the gaoler, was enclosed as a recreation ground for the lunatics. The fence on the west side is placed far down the steep terrace, and thus a fine view of the roadstead, the coast-line, and part of the town, is secured. The look-out is one of the finest about Hokitika, and there can be no doubt as to the healthiness of the locality. Whenever the weather is favourable the patients make use of this ground, and appear to enjoy themselves. The dimensions of the buildings, yards, and recreation ground occupied by the lunatics at this asylum are as follows : — Feet. Feet. Backyard ... ... ... ... ... 52 X 54 Front garden, leading to recreation-ground ... ... 74 x 9 Front cross, leading to mess-room ... ... ... 52 x 9 Recreation ground ... ... ... ... 175 x 230 Mess-room ... ... ... ... ... 15 x 10J Eight sleeping apartments (each) ... ... ... Bx9 It was the intention of the late County Chairman to have removed one of the attendants from the asylum on the Hospital Reserve to that at the Upper Gaol, but this has not been done, and the patients are still under the supervision of officers of tho gaol. AVhen in the yards they are seen by the warder on duty on the platform on the eastern side of tho enclosure, and when in the recreation ground a warder is always present. The yards and sleeping and mess-rooms are daily cleaned by one of the convicts. The sleeping-rooms are fitted with berths, and the bedding is plentiful and kept clean. In these matters the patients are much better provided than, I believe, the majority of working men on the Coast. The food used in the asylum is cooked in the prison kitchen, and is plentiful and good. It is of the same quantity and quality as that supplied to hard-labour prisoners, with the addition of tea and milk. Tobacco is also distributed. The patients wear their own clothing, when it is serviceable, and when not, they are supplied from the gaol store. There are cards, draughts, and a few books and newspapers. Occasionally the patients play at foot-ball. lam happy to be able to say that there is scarcely any sickness, the cost of maintenance at this asylum for the six months ended 31st December, 1870, was as follows : — £ a. d. Rations (actual cost) ... ... ... ... 95 13 9 Medicines, medical comforts, Ac. ... ... ... 27 11 5 Bedding and clothing ... ... ... ... 30 0 0 Warder's salary (actual cost) ... ... ... ... 101 4 0 £254 9 2 Average number of lunatics, 17. Cost of each lunatic for the six months, £15. The medical officer visits the asylum on an average once a day. lam aware that certain discharged convicts have spread reports to the effect that the patients in the asylum arc harshly treated by Mr. Cleary and the warders. I believe these reports to be utterly without foundation, and to have been got up for the solo purpose of injuring the officers of the gaol. My visits, and those of the medical officer, are almost always unexpected ; and I am sure that had there been any ill-treatment, unkindness, or unnecessary restraint, it would have very quickly come to my knowledge. I have conversed frequently with the lunatics—with some of them I have talked for half an hour at a time—but no complaint about the treatment has been made to me. I see every inmate of the asylum. The detention is often spoken of as unjust or unnecessary, the speaker always thinking himself sane, but that is the only grievance. I have the fullest confidence that Mr. Cleary has faithfully discharged the disagreeable duty imposed on him by the custody of these unfortunate people. Tho system of combining, in the smallest degree, an asylum with a gaol is bad, but Mr. Cleary is not responsible for that. In working that system his conduct has been all that could be wished. In this opinion lam fully borne out by Dr. Dermott, the medical officer, who has had even better opportunities than myself for ascertaining the truth. Coming now to the asylum on the Hospital Reserve, I regret to say that matters remain in precisely the same position they have occupied for years, nothing new having been done; not one of the

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suggestions made by Dr. Maunsell, the medical officer, or by myself, has been attended to. This asylum is, and has always been, overcrowded. On 31st December, 1870, there were confined in it— Males ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Females ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 Total ... ... ... ... 11 The annexed tabulated statement, furnished by Dr. Maunsell, gives full information with reference to the various cases. I have purposely omitted the names of the patients. The accommodation consists of six patients' bed-rooms, each of them 6 feet by 8 feet, with sloping roof, and measuring about 10 feet in height on the side nearest the ridge. Occasionally three patients occupy one of these rooms in common. The roof leaks ; in some of the rooms this is such a nuisance that during rain the patients cannot inhabit them. The ventilation is very defective, and the building is generally in a bad state of repair. There is one sitting-room in the establishment, which opens on to a verandah in front of the building. There is a bath-room, detached closet, and padded room. There is no boiler, and hotwater has to be carried in buckets from the hospital kitchen for the use of the patients. By the time ■it reaches the asylum it has half cooled. There is nothing which can properly be called a recreationground. A very small patch of garden occupies the space in front of the building, and is surrounded by a low temporary fence. Immediately beyond are tho grounds belonging to the hospital, in which the convalescent patients of that institution take exercise. The lunatics do not have the uso of the grounds, because the absence of a sufficient fence, coupled with the small attendance, would facilitate escape. The staff consists of Dr. Maunsell, the keeper and medical officer, also surgeon-superinten-dent of the Hospital; the clerk, also dispenser to the hospital; Mr. Cook, the chief attendant, and his wife; and a man who acts occasionally as an attendant, but also does carpenter's work at the hospital. The accommodation of Mr. Cook, the chief attendant, is nearly as bad as it can be. He has a very small bed-room —a mere cell, and has no sitting-room, except that occupied by the lunatics. When I say that he is a married man with a family, it will be admitted that further house room should be provided for him. He and Mrs. Cook are excellent attendants, and old public servants, and are clearly entitled to this improvement in their position. By an arrangement with the Hospital Committee the patients are supplied with food from the hospital kitchen. The rations are of good quality, and sufficient. The clothing is generally supplied by the Government. The health of the patients is very good. The cost of this asylum to the County during the half-year ended 31st December, 1870, was as follows :— £ s. d. The six months'cost of provisioning to the Hospital Committee ... 205 8 1 Proportion of salaries ... ... ... ... ... 83 2 9 Total of Hospital Committee's Account ... ... £288 10 10 During the six months Government have paid direct from the Treasury : — Mr. Cook's wages ... ... ... ... £78 0 0 Mrs. Cook's wages ... ... ... ... 26 0 0 Menzies' wages ... ... ... ... 65 0 0 169 0 0 Accounts for Goods :— Johnston, ironmonger ... ... ... £14 5 6 Mulligan, drapery ... ... ... ... 17 18 6 Crerar, stationery ... ... ... ... 246 34 8 6 Net costs for South Spit Asylum for six months ending 31st December, 1870 ... " ... ... ... ... £491 19 4 There has been an average of 10 lunatics, but, as some of these were not in for the whole period, the average number treated for the whole time is reduced to 9£Taking 9|- as the basis, the cost per day is as under : — £ s. d. Provisioning and drapery, Ac. ... ... ... ... 0 2 10 Salaries ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 3 0 £0 5 10 AVith regard to the value of the buildings and enclosures occupied by the lunatics in the Westland Asylums', I may state that enclosing the recreation ground, and making certain alterations and additions in the Upper Gaol, for the benefit of the lunatics, during the past six months, cost about £430 without taking into account the convict labour which was employed throughout the works. These buildings and enclosures as they stand have been valued by the County Engineer at £1,150. The works were begun on 22nd August, and were finished 31st October, 1870. The building on the hospital reserve is of very small value, and is totally unsuited for the purpose for which it is used. Having thus stated the present condition of the lunatic asylums in the County, I will briefly suggest what further changes appear to me necessary. The late County Council were, I believe, favourable to the removal of all the lunatics to the asylum on the Hospital Reserve, as it was considered, improper that a lunatic asylum should be in any way connected with a gaol. AVhilst fully admitting the truth of this proposition, it seems to me equally clear that a lunatic asylum should not in any way be connected with an ordinary hospital. If it is an injustice to the insane to place them in a wing of a gaol, though altogether apart from prisoners, it would be a greater

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injustice to the sick to allow the grounds provided for their use to be taken possession of by the insane. It is to be hoped that the County Council will view the matter in the same light. Should they determine on placing all the lunatics on the south side of the river, it will be advisible to obtain possession of a sufficient area to the south of the Hospital Reserve, to erect suitable buildings, and enclose the whole by a substantial fence. I am strongly against making any additions to the present building for the purpose of accommodating more patients. A second plan would be to place all the lunatics on the gaol reserve—the name of the reserve could be altered if it were objected to, — to enlarge the present recreation ground towards the north and east, and on it to build an asylum, having no connection whatever with the gaol. The present chief attendant, his wife, and a second attendant would, I believe, be fully equal to the work of supervision. The County Surgeon could be the medical officer. Access could he had to the asylum by a zig-zag path up the side of the terrace, and by a dray-road running round the back of the gaol enclosure. If the County Council are prepared to deal with the question in a comprehensive manner, the above is the plan I would specially urge on their notice. A better situation for an asylum it would be impossible to obtain. The fence fronting the sea could, as at present, be placed low down the terrace, so as not to obstruct the view, and the whole of the slope planted with shrubs. The level part of the enclosure could be laid out, part as kitchen-garden, part as shrubbery, and part as lawn. An asylum on the south side of the river would have to be enclosed on all sides by a high fence, beyond which the patients could not see. The site will not bear a moment's comparison with that on the Gaol Hill. If, however, the Council are not prepared to adopt a plan for an entirely new asylum, it will be necessary that some additions be made to the asylum on. the Hospital Reserve for the accommodation of the same number of patients at present confined there. Lastly, proper accommodation should be provided for the attendant and his wife, who has charge of the female patients. The present condition of the asylum on the Hospital Reserve is simply disgraceful. I would refer to Dr. Maunsell's remarks on the same subject, which are appended to his tabulated statement herewith. If the present establishment on the Gaol Hill is kept up, as I trust it will be, a person used to the care of lunatics should be appointed attendant in place of the warder. I have, &c, (x. Gk FITZGEBALD, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums for County of Westland. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 3

G.—No. 28.

Enclosure in No. 8. REPORT OF THE HOKITIKA LUNATIC ASYLUM FOR THE HALF-YEAR ENDING 31ST DECEMBER, 1870.

REPORTS ON NEW ZEALAND LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

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Number. Occupation. Native Place. Residence. Age. Sex. Married or Single. Date of first Admission. Date of Discharge. Form of Insanity. Supposed Cause. Remaeks. 1 f At present in Asylum Miner Scotland Ross 32 M. Married July 2, 186S Sept. 4, 1868 Monomania Former attack Re-admitted on 2nd September, 1869. Was in Dunedin Asylum before he came to the West Coast. Has been a patient in the hospital with hypochondriasis. lias had symptoms of insanity for four years before admitted. Sent to the Lunatic Asylum on the Gaol Reserve. 1st November, 1870. Died of disease of the brain. Supposed to have been in Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum. I Hales sent to the 3 \- Asylum on tho Gaol Reserve 4J 5 Died ii Hokitika 31 Single Dec. 10, 1870 Dec. 30, 1870 Dementia Masturbation Tailor G-ermany 35 Married Mar. 16, 1870 Dec. 30, 1870 Monomania Not known Miner Scotland Ireland Han Hau Hokitika 3G 35 28 J» Single June 11, 1870 June 4, 1869 Mar. £7, 1869 July 27, 1870 Nov. 8, 1869 Dementia Meningites (chronic) Not known Long-continued intemperance Domestic F. j> j> jj 8 9 Females in the .0 }- Asylum up to .1 the 31st De.2 cember, 1870 .3 .4 -5J j) it >i i) sj Melbourne Ireland Scotland England Ireland Ross Grey Ross Grey 23 31 26 27 2 1, 30 24 )) t) » a t> Married Single Married Mar. 3, 1869 May 2, 1869 Sept. 24, 1869 Nov. 5,1868 Dec. 2, 1870 Dee. 14, 1870 Deo. 17, 1870 Dec. 29, 1870 Nov. 25, 1870 Dec. 4,' 1869 jj Puerperal mania Melancholia Dementia Puerperal mania Dementia jj Pregnancy Prostitution Not known Pregnancy Alcoholism Re-admitted on 22nd December, 1869. M >) Was admitted into the Asylum with twins. Her husband deserted her some months ago. J> >t )j »J >> Hau Hau » Nov. 27, 1870 General debility and over lactation Hereditary Epilepsy Re-admitted on the 31st December, 1870. Jj »j a n jj 16") Discharged from L7 ( the Asylum C during the last L8.) six months ») H Scotland NewSouth Wales Ireland ! Arahura Waimea 29 23 tt n »> »i Juno 30, 1870 June 30, 1870 July 5, 1870 Aug. 5, 1870 jj jj ( Given into the custody of their husbands by ordei I of the Inspector of Lunatic Asylums. j> Hau Hau 2t jj i] Nov. 25, 3S7O Nov. 27, 1870 u Over lactation An cxmination of tho above tabulated statement, which has been compiled from the books of the Asylum, will show that during tho last six months there have been eighteen patients under treatment, Including five males and thirteen femnles. One male, named William Boys, died of disease of the brain. Three males and three females have been discharged, tho former were sent to the Asylum on the Gaol Reserve, and the latter were given into the custody of their husbands by order of the Inspector. On tlie 31st December there were eleven patients in the Asylum, consisting of one male and ten females. The only improvement that has been made to the present establishment during the last six months, has been tho addition of a padded cell. As the Inspector of Lunatic Asylums has been over during the past week, for tho express purpose of reporting on the condition of the Asylum and iti inmates, it will be unnecessary for me to comment on the truly wretched accommodation affordec to the Chief Attendant and his family, and the innumerable difficulties that have to be contendec with for want of proper accommodation and the most ordinary conveniences for the comfort anc successful treatment of the unfortunate inmates. II. WIDENHAM MAUNSELL, Medical Officer and Keeper of the Hokitika Lunatic Asylum.

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G—No. 26.

No. 9. G. G. FitzGerald to the Hon. Mr. Gisborne. Sir, — Office of the Inspector of Lunatic Asylums, Hokitika, 14th July, 1871. I have the honor to report as follows on the lunatic asylums of the County of Westland for the six months ended 30th June, 1871 : —■ The number of lunatics confined in tho Sea View Lunatic Asylum, on 30th June, was 23 ; there were received during the half-year 12 patients; discharged, 6; died, 1. The average number of patients for the six months was 22. The cost of each patient's maintenance per week was lis. Id., exclusive of the salary of the medical attendant, who also holds tho offices of County Surgeon and Medical Officer to the Gaol. Only male patients have hitherto been detained in this asylum, all female lunatics being sent to the asylum situated on the Hospital Reserve, on the south side of the Hokitika River. The medical officer of the Sea View Asylum reported that of the 23 patients detained there on 30th June. 8 might be considered incurable, whilst of the remaining 15 a large proportion were progressing steadily towards a complete restoration of their faculties. The patients almost without exception are of the labouring class, principally miners, and destitute of any pecuniary resources. A good deal of work has been done during the half-year by. tho stronger patients in clearing and digging a piece of ground in the vicinity of the asylum. Under judicious supervision it seems that their labour can be turned to good account both in promoting their bodily and mental health, and in furnishing the asylum with a supply of garden produce which would otherwise have to be purchased. I expect during the ensuing spring to see not a few of the patients take an interest in laying out and cultivating the enclosure attached to the asylum. I mentioned in my report for the half-year ended 31st December, 1870, that although the house accommodation of this asylum is merely a wing of the County Gaol, the lunatics are kept strictly apart from the prisoners. A short-sentence prisoner cleans out the asylum, but he is tho only prisoner who is admitted on any pretence whatever to the asylum. I submit, however, that it is very desirable that the asylum should, as soon as possible, be entirely removed from the gaol enclosure. Not unfrequently patients havo complained to me of their detention in the gaol. I believe that this important matter is receiving the earnest attention, of the County authorities. I am happy to say that since my last report the County Chairman has engaged an experienced attendant, so that the patients are no longer under the care of tho gaol warders ; though the latter are at hand to render assistance when necessary. The bodily health of the patients during the half-year was generally excellent. One patient died. The number of patients confined in the asylum on the Hospital Reserve on tho 30th of June, 1871, was eight. There were received during the half-year, 4 ; discharged, 6 ; died, 1. The average number of patients for the half-year was B'B. The cost of each patient's maintenance per week was 225. The accommodation in this asylum remains the same as I reported it to be in January last. I can only repeat that the building is totally unsuitable for the purpose to which it is put, and that there are none of the conveniences which every well-regulated asylum for the insane should possess. I beg to refer you to the remarks I made on this asylum in my last report. Nothing has been altered for the bettor. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, the health of the patients has been good. Tho number of patients, remaining in the Sunnyside Asylum, in the Province of Canterbury, at the cost of the County of Westland, on the 30th of June, 1871, was 6 —all males. Their weekly maintenance per head amounts to 225. 6d. , I have, Ac, G. G. FitzGerald, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums for the County of Westland.

PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY. No. 10. Report of Inspection, Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum, near Christchurch, Canterbury. — ■ 30th May, 1871. I have much gratification in being able to report that on visiting tho above-named asylum for an inspection, I found that preparations were begun by the Provincial Government for the erection, of a new and substantial building, in stone, in lieu of the present wooden one. Ample accommodation will thus be provided, on a plan carefully devised, beforehand, and suited to the requirements of an establishment of this kind, and to the mode of treatment by which it is hoped to effect the cure of the persons admitted into it. The present building, begun at a time when the public funds could be spared for it in only small and inadequate amounts, and added to from time to time, as emergencies arose, but not on any general systematic plan, is necessarily defective in many respects, and wanting in both room and conveniences. The good management and talent for contriving of the present keeper, Mr. E. W- Seager, has, however, gone far towards supplying a partial remedy for what is wanting in regard to a sound plan of building worked out from the very first. What is now so much needed, as the number of patients will continue to increase with the growth of population, is, abundant room for the more minute classification of the patients according to their different conditions of mental aberration and their progress towards full recovery. It is satisfactory to note that a large quantity of stone for the new building is already stacked on the ground. Since my previous inspection the dwelling accommodation for the keeper and his family has been increased, and a visitors' room provided, as recommended by me. In addition to the amusements already provided1 for the patients, and which seem to contribute in so important a degree to their recovery, an organ has been just erected in the large, recreation hall. The acquisition of this instrument, at a moderate cost and within the resources of the asylum, is owing to the exertions of the keeper, and to the kindly interest taken in his work by his brother, Mr. S. H.

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REPORTS ON NEW ZEALAND LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

Seager. This gentleman procured the organ at home, took charge of it thence out to the Colony, and himself undertook the labour of setting it up in the hall and getting it into order. The keeper reports to mo that, as one result of the performance of the organ at divine service on Sundays, there has been more attention on the part of the patients, as well as an increase to the numbers of the choir. Great assistance is also afforded at the evening musical recreations of the convalescent patients during the week days. Mr. G. T. Inwood continues to play for the patients at every Sunday service, and at the weekly choir practices of the patients. This gentleman, who is closely engaged in business all the week, has for many years past, in the most generous spirit, volunteered to give up his Sundays, and also one evening in the week days, to the performance of the duty of organist and leader of the asylum choir. I am impelled to suggest that some notice should be taken either by the General or the Provincial Government of the very valuable service he has thus rendered to the patients for so great a length of time and with so much self-denial. There seems to be no room for doubting that these Sunday services, conducted with the usual choir-singing of other well-appointed places of worship, have a marked beneficial effect on a considerable number of the patients. I found, on inspecting the several rooms and courtyards and other parts of the building, that the matters I had previously had occasion to remark on had been duly attended to. The offensive smell in the female lavatory and sleeping ward has been got rid of by alteration in the drainage of the closets close by ; the air in this lavatory and the ward adjoining was now perfectly sweet and fresh, leaving nothing to be desired on this score. The attendants' rooms were also in excellent order. The whole of the rooms, passages, and out-buildings belonging to the asylum presented the same remarkable appearance of neatness and scrupulous cleanliness and care as I had occasion to notice to you specially in a former report, except in regard to some of the attendants' rooms. These, on the present inspection, were in the same satisfactory condition as all the others. The sleeping and day wards are all well ventilated, and while the latter-are well warmed at this cold season, a free circulation of fresh air is kept up throughout. The patients themselves are noticeably neat and clean in appearance, both as regards person and dress. The bath accommodation is very ample in the male and female wards alike, and is made use of abundantly. To all this provision made for thorough cleanliness and ventilation in all departments of the asylum must be attributed in a large degree the healthful appearance of the patients ; and there must doubtless follow, more or less indirectly, a correspondingly beneficial effect upon their mental condition. The register of patients, in the form required by section 24 of "The Lunatics Act, 1868" (schedule 12), which was being written up at the time of my previous inspection, has been duly completed. All the cases, from the first opening of the asylum in Canterbury, have been transcribed from the old register, which contained substantially all the information required in the new one. The " case book " referred to in section 25 seems to require some direction by Order in Council as to the form in which it should bo kept. Practically, however, the " medical journal " supplies pretty near all that the " case book " would contain. The whole of the premises and outbuildings were inspected under section 53, also the orders and certificates of admission of patients. All the patients were seen at their evening meal, besides being seen during the day in the wards, or at the several occupations allotted to those capable of engaging in any. The lists under section 56 were examined, and the other documents required; and full inquiry, also under clause 55, as to the care, treatment, Ac, of the patients. The copy of the plan of the buildings, required by clause 57 to be hung up in some conspicouus place, is not yet completed. There is, however, nothing complicated about the arrangement of the different rooms, yards, and passages. Any visitor could easily satisfy himself that every portion has been under his notice, and that, if there were any place in which patients were concealed, it could not escape his observation, or at least his very strong suspicion. Notwithstanding this, however, I am of opinion that the letter of the Act should be strictly carried out, as soon as a plan can be procured. A plan would at once show to every visitor that there is nothing in the asylum about which concealment is desired by the managing authorities. In regard to the dietary, which clause 55 requires should be inquired into by the Inspector, I should state that everything supplied is of good quality and in ample quantity. The larder, store room, kitchen, and scullery are specially noticeable for neatness and perfect cleanliness in all the arrangements. Everything is calculated to insure the patients' food being served up to them in sound and palatable condition. I wish to suggest the introduction, for those patients who might prefer it, of brown bread —or at least of bread made from flour of which only the coarsest particles of bran have been sifted out—in lieu of that now used and made from tho very whitest flour. There are abundant medical and chemical reasons for believing that brown bread, or bread made of " seconds " flour, is by far the most wholesome for daily use. At all events, it is little likely to be adulterated with unwholesome alum to make it look white. AVhile I have been acting provisionally as Inspector, several applications have been granted for the delivery to the care of friends of patients who have progressed far towards complete recovery. They have mostly been allowed a month's leave of absence on trial, under clause 64 of the Act, on the medical officer's certificate. The results have been satisfactory in each case excepting one, and the patients have not required to be taken back. The friends have all given bond in £50 penalty under clause 66. Tho present inspection was made at a day when there was little possibility of its being expected by the keeper, so that everything was certain to be going on in ordinary every-day course. Only a few "days previously, I had made a special visit with His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson, in reference to a patient placed there by his order some months back for curative treatment under clause 21 of the Act. The patient had been addicted to the excessive use of intoxicating drinks, to the great injury of both his health and of his estate, and had been placed in the asylum on friends applying to the Judge. There could be no doubt, from the patient's own admission, of the great benefit to his health which the treatment had effected. His serious complaint was—and it must be conceded to be a very serious one — that there was no place where he could be set apart from those who were actually lunatics. The

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G—No. 26.

keeper had made arrangements for this patient's messing with the attendants and not with the lunatics. But it will readily be conceived that any regulation that may tend to keep up an irritating feeling of degradation must greatly tend to retard the cure of this class of patients. Any asylum in which "curative treatment" is to be undertaken, under clause 21, of those addicted to excessive and continued use of intoxicating drinks, ought most unquestionably to be so planned that the patients need not be compelled to occupy the same wards and mess and associate with the ordinary lunatics. This " curative treatment," to be successful, seems to require a long term, in order that the patient may have his power of self-control thoroughly restored to him, and his mental faculties so re-invigorated, that on his discharge he may be safely counted on as able to resist temptation. Now so long as the patient —knowing himself to be sane —feels that in every respect but that of sanity his position is simply that of any lunatic confined in the asylum—that on visitors arriving there he will be seen, possibly by old acquaintances, in the wards with the lunatics, as if he were actually one of them, it is inevitable that his rapid progress towards a sound and vigorous state of mind will be checked, and his arrival at a right feeling as to the moral probation he has been sent to undergo must be seriously interfered with. He will become despondent, his patience will give way, and there will arise a rancorous and bitter feeling that he is unjustly detained beyond the time required for a complete cure. This feeling will gain strength with brooding over it, and for want of associates, where there is but one patient of this class. This " curative treatment," under clause 21, has once previously been applied at Sunnyside Asylum, and with success. There was every reason to feel assured that the patient whose case is now under notice would shortly be in a fit state to release. I feel it my duty to represent very urgently that in every asylum an effort should be made to provide separate wards for such patients. Friends and relatives of habitual drunkards would then feel less scruple and hesitation about placing them under treatment. Judging from the two cases mentioned above, it would appear that nothing should be left undone by which the fullest effect can be given to—so humanely conceived—a portion of the Lunatics Act as that by which it is attempted to reclaim the habitual drunkard from a vice which, in the Colonies especially, is known to bring about the ruin of so many families and the commission of so much aggravated crime. J. AV. Hamilton, Inspector Provisionally.

PROVINCE OF OTAGO. No. 11. Mr. A. C. Strode to His Honor J. Macandrew. Sir,— Dunedin, 26th June, 1871. In compliance with the provisions of " The Lunatics Act, 1868," I have the honor to lay before you a Report of the Progress and general Condition of tho Dunedin Lunatic Asylum, for the year ending the 31st day of March, 1871. As Inspector I have visited the asylum monthly, and on each occasion have seen the patients. At the same time I also inspected Park House, the residence of tho private patients, and found everything in a perfectly satisfactory condition. The various books and documents required by law to be kept in the asylum were also examined, and found to be correct. The admissions, discharges, and deaths of patients during the year is shown by the following statement, by which also will be seen that the male patients have been less in proportion to the females: — Males. Females. Total. Patients in the asylum on the Ist April, 1870 ... ... ... 79 33 112 Patients admitted during the year ending 31st March, 1871 ... ... 34 27 61 Total under care during the year ... ... 113 60 173 Discharged— Males. Females. Total. Recovered ... ... 21 16 37 Relieved ... ... 3 0 3 Died ... ... 5 0 5 Escaped ... ... 1 0 1 30 16 46 Number remaining in the asylum on the 31st day of March, 1871 .... 83 44 127 Annexed hereto is the Annual Report of the Medical Officer of the Asylum for the year ending 31st March, 1871, with tables appended showing the income and expenditure of the institution, and average cost of each patient during the year. In consequence of the large increase of female patients during the past year it became necessary to extend the accommodation ; an additional ward has therefore been erected, containing day-room, single bed-room, pantry, bath-room, atfendants'-room, Ac; adjoining is a dormitory, with space available for sixteen beds, allowing 1,000 cubic feet for each patient; immediately fronting the building half an acre of ground is being laid out by the patients as an airing court. In the male division a hospital-room furnished, and containing six beds, has been added. Notwithstanding the accommodation which has already been provided, it has been deemed necessary to build another addition to the male patients', a portion of which it is proposed to set apart for the reception of Chinese lunatic patients (four of whom are at present inmates of the sylum); their habits and general conduct rendering it desirable that the they should be separated from the European patients. A considerable amount of work has been executed within the asylum, and the grounds have been skilfully laid out by the attendants and patients. It may here be remarked that the male attendants are mechanics, who, with the assistance of the patients, erect buildings and do all the requisite repairs, thus relieving the Government of what otherwise would be a heavy yearly charge to the Province. 4^

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I have pleasure in stating that no accident has occurred with any patient since the establishment of the asylum. AVith reference to the yearly increase of the .insane in this asylum, a certain proportion remain chronic or incurable, very many of whom are without relatives in this Colony. By drafting such patients from this and other similar Provincial institutions to one central asylum, their labour could be .utilized in farming operations on an extensive scale, besides the advantages to be derived in a pecuniary sense from their labour. I am led to believe, on medical authority, that it would materially conduce to the health of the patients, and probably contribute to their ultimate recovery. If the foregoing suggestion were carried out, I am confident that the weekly cost of maintenance per head would be very much reduced. Moreover, the adoption of such a plan would be the. means of relieving the present asylum, and obviate the necessity of so frequently enlarging the buildings, as is now occasioned under the present regime. Divine service is held every Sunday, and opportunities are afforded to ministers of the various denominations to visit the patients during the week. Frequently as many as eighty patients attend the Sunday service. Amusements are provided for the patients, in tho shape of music and dancing every week, at which from eighty to a hundred are usually present; other entertainments are also devised during the winter months in a large and commodious hall attached to the asylum. In the wards, provision is also made for playing various games. Books and the daily papers are likewise supplied, and many British illustrated papers and periodicals are regularly received and circulated for the use of the patients. On my monthly visits through the wards of the asylum the inmates were quiet and orderly ; they appeared (with few exceptions) to be contented and satisfied with the treatment they experienced.' The dormitories and bedding I found at all times scrupulously clean and in excellent order; the provisions also were always of good quality and properly cooked. The careful management and satisfactory condition of this asylum reflect eminent credit upon Mr. Hume and his assistants. I have, Ac, A. Chetham Strode, His Honor the Superintendent of Otago. Inspector.

Enclosure in No. 11. Sir, — Dunedin Lunatic Asylum, June, 1871. I have the honor to forward you the Eighth Annual Report of this Institution for the year ending 31st March. 1871. The number of patients in the asylum on the 31st March, 1870, was 112, of whom 79 were males and 33 were females. Within the twelve months 61 patients have been admitted—34 males and 27 females; the total number under care and treatment for that period being 173, with a daily average of 123. Compared with the previous year, in which 81 patients were admitted, there is a falling off of 25 per cent. ; but the daily average number resident, —123, compared with 105 of the previous year,— shows a steady increase of chronic cases, as is the case in all asylums. On referring to Table XI, a remarkable feature is noticeable in comparing the admission of sexes for the two years: 34 male patients, or 54 per cent, less, admitted during the past year than the previous one, while 27 females, or 50 per cent, more, were admitted during the same period. The cause of insanity in 20 per cent, of the admissions of females was puerperal. The number of patients in the asylum this day, 31st March, 1871, is 127. Males, 83 ; females, 44. Under the 21st section of " The Lunatics Act, 1868," two cases of dipsomania were admitted during the year. The numbers discharged during the year were 37 recovered, 3 relieved, and 1 escaped (dipsomania) ; total, 41. Excluding the relieved and escaped, the recoveries are 60'7 per cent, on tho admissions of the year, and 21 _ on the total number under treatment. The mean annual mortality is male 4'4, female 0-; and on these treated 2-9. The care taken of the insane may be gathered by a reference to Table XL, General Results. For the eight years since tho institution was opened, only three female patients have died out of 134 admitted during that period, showing a mortality of 2'2. It is also gratifying to record that no serious accident has occurred to any patient to the present time. During the year five males died, and, as provided by statute, an inquest was held in each case. The causes of death, Ac, are shown in Table 11. In accordance with the terms of clause 64, Lunatics Act, IS6B, thirteen patients were allowed out on trial during the year, ten of whom wero quite restored, and obtained their discharge from the asylum, and three were returned by their friends as unmanageable. It is intended to take fuller advantage of this important clause, by allowing suitable convalescent and harmless cases to return from time to time to their friends. The beneficial results of this measure are easily noticeable. The return home, with its associations, are both cheering and pleasant to the patient. However light the control or easy the dicipline of an asylum may be, yet the insane in nearly all cases experience a sense of relief and exhilaration when released from the surroundings of an asylum. An extension of this measure would also relieve the asylum accommodation considerably. AVhero the friends are poor, it would be a judicious step to allow a small sum for the patient's support at home ; the allowance in any case not to be more than the actual cost of the patient in the asylum. Such a step in suitable cases would be a great amelioration in the condition of the chronic insane. In 1863, when the asylum opened, accommodation was provided for 36 patients. Since then additions have been made at various times, and 140 patients can now be taken. A new female ward has recently been built; its dimensions are —length, 84 feet; breadth, 23 feet; and an average height of 11 feet. The ward is divided into large day-room, single rooms, bath-room, lavatory, attendants' room, Ac. In connection with this ward, a large airing court is being laid out, with verandah

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G.—No. 26.

and sun shade, for the patients' use. It may not be out of place to mention that the aggregate cubic space in the building is 154,000 feet, giving at least 1,000 feet to each patient. Additional accommodation for male patients is still required, and a portion of the materials for the erection of a large ward for males is on the ground. During the year, the entire block of buildings and Park House, the residence of the private patients, have been painted. The water supply has gradually lessened during the last six months, until it has become quite inadequate to the wants of the asylum. The blasting in the quarry near the spring is the probable cause of the failure, from the water passing through new fissures, or along the surface of the rock to a lower point. A command of water is of great importance to the asylum, which is almost entirely built of wood. In the event of a fire, the building would probably be destroyed, with loss of life to some of the helpless patients. The only means of providing against such a contingency would be to take a copious supply from the water works mains into the building. The sanitary condition of the asylum, and of the patients, is also dependent on a good supply of water. Tho Inspector visited the asylum every month during the year. He saw at his visits all the patients, their food, bedding, apartments, and other requisites for their comfort. The books and documents provided by the Act were examined and signed by him, and tho suggestions he made carried into effect. The progress and satisfactory state of the institution at each visit was recorded in the Inspector's book. The average number attending service on Sundays, including officers, has been from sixty to seventy. Both Protestant and Roman Catholic services were held, and weekly visits made to the patients. Amusements, the great delight of the insane, have been frequent during the year, and as many as one hundred patients have been present on special nights to witness the performances ; beneficial results have followed in many cases. A superior magic lantern, with dissolving views, and a calcium light has been added. Its exhibition has given great pleasure to the inmates. At various times the colored opera troupe have given excellent concerts. They also from their own funds defrayed the expenses of a good band for the Friday evening dances. They have, in addition, presented to the patients' amusement fund the sum of £30. The institution is much indebted to them for their warmhearted and genuine liberality, and for their kindness in giving their talents for the amusement and material benefit of the patients. '■ The garden has produced a large supply of excellent vegetables for the use of-the Asylum and the Provincial Hospital. The grounds have been extended and levelled by the patients. Other out-door works have been completed by those who could be trusted out, the open nature of the grounds preventing large numbers being employed. Much has been done since the opening of the asylum: much still remains to be done to raise the institution to a higher standard. Its officers are anxious to effect this object, and from what has been done, there is no reason to doubt that the future will show an equal advance in this direction with the past. I have, Ac, E. W. Alexander, The Provincial Treasurer. Medical Officer.

Table I.—Return of Patients Admitted, Discharged, and Died, during tho Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1871.

Males. Females. Total. fumbcr of Patients remaining in Asylum, 1st April, 1870 .dmitted from Dunedin and Suburbs „ Dunedin Hospital ... „ Tuapeka ... ... .... „ Port Chalmers „ Hawksbury „ Dunstan ... Blacks „ Oamaru „ Tokomairiro Clutha Wakatip ... „ East, West, and North Taieri „ Benevolent Asylum... 7!) 14 3 2 2 1 5 2 1 0 1 1 2 0 33 14 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 2 1 1 2 1 112 28 4 3 4 1 5 2 3 2 2 2 4 1 Total under treatment Males. Females. liseharged —Cured ... ... 21 16 Relieved ... ... 3 0 Died 5 0 Escaped ... ... 1 0 Total. 37 3 5 1 113 60 173 30 16 10 Remaining in Asylum, 31st March, 1871 83 44 127 Percentage cured on the admissions „ „ total under treat: „ of deaths Daily average number for the year... lent 607 214 29 122f£f

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Table II.—Showing the Number of Deaths during the Tear, and their Cause; also Ago at time of death.

Table III.—Ages of those on Admission during the Tear.

Table IV.—Occupations of those Admitted during the Tear.

Males. Females. Age. Period of Residence in Asylum. Cause of Death. 1 1 1. 1 1 85 80 45 •10 31 2 months 3 months 6 months 9 months 18 months Disease of the Brain. Exhaustion from acute Mania and Diarrhoea, Disease of the Brain. General Paralysis. General Paralysis.

Males. Females. Total. "rom 5 to 10 years „ 10*to 15 „ „ 15 to 20 „ „ 20 to 25 „ ., 25 to 30 „ „ 30 to 35 „ „ 35 to 40 „ „ 40 to 45 „ „ 45 to 50 „ „ 50 to 55 „ „ 55'to 60 „ „ GO to 65 „ 0 0 0 2 4 8 n 2 4 0 1 2 0 1 1 1 6 5 6 2 3 2 0 1 0 1 1 3 10 13 16 4 7 2 1 3 Total 34 27 81

Males. Females. Total. Billiard Marker Boatbuilder Bottle Gatherer ... Boarding-liouse Keepers Carter Carpenters, Wives of Clerk Do. Wife of Clergyman, Wife of ■Commission Agent Contractors, Wives of Domestic Servants Gasfitter Housewives Labourers Do. Wives of ... Miners Merchant Sawyer, Wife of ... Seamstresses Shepherds Shoemakers Stonemason 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 10 0 B 1 0 0 3 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 0 a 8 0 0 0 6 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 •2 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 3 1 c 10 5 8 1 1 3 3 2 1 1 2 Surgeon Unknown Total 84 27 61

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Table V.—Social Condition of those Admitted during the Tear.

Table VI.—Nationality of those Admitted durinsr the Tear.

Table VII. —Eeligious Persuasion of those admitted during the Tear.

Table VIII.—Education of those admitted during the Tear.

Table IX. —Daily Average Cost for each Patient during the year 1870.

Males. Females. Total. Single Married ... Widowed Unknown 22 8 3 1 (i IS 8 0 28 26 6 1 Total 84 27 GL

Males. Females. Total. 3 n gland [reJand Scotland 8 5 14 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 (5 8 17 0 0 0 o 0 0 0 1 14 8 31 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 France Norway rlolstein ialy America }hina iV^cst Indies 'few Zealand Total 84 27 61

Males. Females. Total. 'resbyturians ipiscopaliana Ionian Catholics Lesley ans mthcrans ihinese rnkiiowii 15 7 8 1 1 1 1 10 6 3 1 0 0 1 81 18 11 2 1 1 2 Tota 34 27 61

MaleB. Females. Total. !an read and. write !an read only r Fone Chinese ... Fnkuowu 2G 3 2 1 2 L'l 4 1 0 1 ■17 7 3 1 3 Total 31 27 (!L

Salaries Etations Stores and Furniture fuel and Light Medical Comforts • •• • •« • •• • •• £ s. d. 0 0 9f 0 0 7i 0 0 Of 0 0 1 0 0 0% Carried forward • •• • •• • •• • ••

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Table X. —Showing Length of Eesidence of Patients remaining in Asylum at the end of Tear.

Table XI. —General Eesults of each Tear since the opening of the Asylum, 18G3.

£ e. d. Brought forward Bedding and Clothing tncidental Expenses ... 0 0 If 0 0 Oi Less Eepayments 0 1 8i 0 0 4£ Net daily average Cost each Patient ... Or, per Week Or, per Tear 0 1 41 0 9 6| ... 24 16 8i Set Number of Days' Eesidence of Patients in Asylum for the year )aily average Number for the year Set Expenditure for the year ... Jepayinents for the year from Private Patients ... 44,754 122 s** £ s. d. 3,889 13 8 830 10 11

Males. Females. Total. 'nder 8 years ... jj * >> * • • » 6 >. r „ O „ j) * ,, „ .3 „ ji 2 „ ?> -*• « !) 5 5 12 11 7 17 L7 7 G 0 1 4 1 10 L5 L6 11 5 L8 15 8 '17 82 Total 83 44 127

Adm: Keci KJtt ;red. :ged. Belie •,\ed. Died. Hi I TI ESTAINNG AT HE END IPTHE 3 S g rs-i 1 8 J I *g LS'C.s s g s I III 1 1 1 4; ** 3 Peeiod. Yeae. August 28, to Sept. 30,1863 Sept., 1863, to Sept., 1864 Sept., 1864, to Sept., 1865 Sept., 1865, to Sept., 1866 Sept., 1866, to Sept., 1867 Sept., 1867, to March, 1868 March, 1868, to March, 1869 ... March, 1869, to March, 1870 ... March, 1870, to March, 1871 ... 13 45 36 35 61 37 60 63 34 M. 8 23 13 11 X7 16 18 27 F. Tot. 21 68 49 46 72 44 76 81 61 25 20 22 35 26 53 51 21 It. F. 1 12 ll 8 a 13 10 16 Tot. 1 37 31 28 43 30 66 61 37 a l 2 K. 2 2 Tot. 4 1 4 M;F. _!_ 3... 7j 1 4 1 6...| 3...! 6... 5 1 5... 38J 3 I I Tot. 3 I ! 3 5 6 5 18 30 a; 45 68 71 779 83 F. 7 '18! 17 21 22 25 27 33 44 Tot. 20 ' 48 54 66 85 96 99 112 ■127 10 37! 49 62 82 92' 102 105 123 I . 3-4 8'2 50 43 23 2-9 33 29 4-8 54-4 632 60-9 59-7 ! 68-1 86-8 753 60-7 i 4-8 420 309 28-0 | 311 23-2 38-4 339 21-4 1 1 1 2 1 4 4 384 134 518 253 81 334 10 6 16 ! 41 ■ I 36 593 28-2 Sr UMMA) kt o: F TOTAL ADMISS sic ONS SI INCE 1863. Percentage of N n N case M n es E. Be peoTe jlieve :ad ;red !d ... ling 64-. 3-i 7-1 24)9 II 12 •mail