D.—No. 29.

4

REPORTS ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Number of Patients. The number of inmates on Ist January, 1869, was ... ... ... 79 The number admitted during the year was ... ... ... ... 50 The number discharged during the year was ... ... ... ... 16 Number discharged upon trial during the year ... ... ... 18 Number of deaths during the year ... ... ... ... 8 Number remaining in the Asylum on Ist January, IS7O ... ... S7 Care and Treatment of Patients. From the time of my appointment until the month of October last, the care and treatment of the patients was in the hands of Dr. Eobert Elliott Fisher. This gentleman was most assiduous in the discharge of his duties, and left nothing undone which would tend to improve the mental and physical condition of the inmates. His death in the month mentioned was a great loss to the institution. The present Eesident Surgeon, Dr. Aicken, appointed in November last, evidently bestows a great deal of attention on the care and treatment of the unfortunate inmates, in which he is cheerfully aided by all those under him. The number of patients at present in the institution is 92, —65 males and 27 females. Sleeping Apartments, Clothing, Bedding, and Biet. The sleeping apartments are spacious, comfortable, and well ventilated, and the beds and bedding are all that could be desired. The diet supplied is good and wholesome, and consists of the following : — Breakfast.' —Half-pound of bread and 1 pint of tea. Binner.- —Three-quarter pound of meat boiled into soup, with vegetables, of which each gets one pint with share of meat, 1 lb. of potatoes, and $ lb. of bread. Supper. —The same allowance as at breakfast. Clothing. —A plentiful supply of clothing is always kept on hand, and additional supplies obtained at the end of each annual survey. Recreation, Amusements, and Employment of Inmates. Nothing is left undone in the way of providing amusements and recreation for patients : bagatelle, cards, dominoes, draughts, hand ball, and other games aro provided. There is a very good library, and many of the illustrated papers are furnished gratis to the patients by the benevolent ladies of Auckland. A singing class has also been established, and a musical instructor engaged to give weekly lessons to such of the patients as are capable of being taught. A marked feature under this heading is a series of monthly entertainments, originated shortly after my appointment by the late Dr. Fisher and myself, and continued, with one or two intermissions, clown to the present time. The entertainments are composed of singing, readings, recitations, musical and dramatic performances. The performers are mostly lady and gentlemen amateurs, some members of the 18th Band, and occasionally, some of the members of the theatrical and musical professions performing in Auckland. In all cases the services are gratuitous, and the entertainments have not cost, on an average, more than £3 per month. Invitations are issued to such of the settlers and their families as take an interest in the condition of the inmates. The inmates are allowed to mingle freely with the visitors, and a dance, in which some of the inmates heartily join, generally terminates the evening's amusements. I cannot speak too highly of the beneficial results arising directly out of these efforts to ameliorate the condition of the patients, and to render more cheerful and endurable their enforced confinement. I would strongly recommend that these monthly entertainments should be continued, and that provision should be made to enable them to be carried out regularly. I cannot speak so favourably of the outdoor amusements. No blame whatever is to be imputed to the authorities of the institution on this account. The large and healthy grounds around the building cannot be turned to much account for outdoor amusements, solely because of the want of a good wall or thorn fence as a security against attempts to escape. I hope that something will be done in this direction by the erection of a proper enclosed wall; at present, for want of it, the main body of the patients are necessarily confined to the airing yards. As it is, attempts to escape from confinement are frequent; and the insecure state of the grounds adds very considerably to the labour and anxiety of those in charge. Still a great many of the patients are allowed to go about the grounds, and to enjoy that healthy outdoor exercise which seems to be indispensable for their mental improvement. The Eesident Surgeon induces as many as possible to employ themselves in various ways about the grounds and buildings kept by the inmates. The vegetable garden is in a creditable state, and this last year about two acres of potatoes were planted by the labours of the patients. Many of them are always employed in work of different kinds, in connection with the institution. Everything is done which can be done, with the means at command, to make their lives and occupations resemble that of their more fortunate fellow-beings, and to remove, as much as possible, the feeling of restraint and confinement. Staff of the Institution. The Staff of the Institution at present consists of —1 Eesident Surgeon; 1 Inspector, who is also Believing and Visiting Officer; 1 Head Keeper; 1 Senior Keeper; 4s Assistant Male Keepers; 1 Matron ; 2 Female Nurses ; 1 Cook; 1 Musical Instructor. During the past year the following appropriations were made by the Provincial Council : —■ £ s. d. Eesident Surgeon ... ... ... ... ... ... 200 0 0 Head Keeper ... ... ... ... ... ... 120 0 0 Senior Keeper ... ... ... ... ... ... 66 0 0 Three Assistant Keepers, £54 each ... ... ... ... 162 0 0

£ s. d.