D.—No. 29.

18

REPORTS ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN NEW ZEALAND.

tion to both male and female patients, so have the discharges increased and continue to do so in proportion. The printing office continues to take its share in illustrating its utility, by furnishing programmes of entertainments, &c, &c. Conclusion. During the past year considerable additions have been made. A new ward of twelve rooms for refractory and dirty female patients, a new bathroom, and a lavatory for B and D Wards have been provided; in F Ward (males), a bathroom and lavatory and strong room have been added; to the kitchen a scullery and a larder, the old larder not affording sufficient accommodation. With the exception of the twelve rooms and part of the lavatory in F Ward, all the foregoing has been performed by patients, under the superintendence of an attendant. I had the honor to suggest in my first report, dated June 1867, the advisability of at once commencing the permanent building, upon the plan already accepted. I regret that my suggestion has not been acted upon, instead of waiting until accommodation is absolutely necessary, and which results in adding a patch, or an addition to the unsightly appearance of the buildings, which it now exhibits. More accommodation is required, and will continue to bo so. If I may be permitted to suggest that the permanent building be at once commenced with the available labour of patients, and that portion be erected intended for females. The present building occupied by the females, marked B and C, could be used for quiet and orderly cases. Many men are now sleeping upon the floors of the day rooms, for want of increased accommodation. In D Ward a bathroom and lavatory are required upon the same principle as that lately erected in F Ward. It is very evident that everything connected with the treatment and management of lunacy is very complicated. No one can reasonably expect to treat cases of insanity successfully who is not acquainted with the curative means of the disorder. Often misled by the lunatic himself, those in attendance upon him must exercise peculiar caution and penetration. Aware of every possible, and awake to every symptom, those in charge must be ever ready to anticipate and combat in many instances, or they will find that every attempt fails to bring back that healthy state of mind which we would have the patient possess. Yet it is satisfactory to know that the means used are productive of much good, in alleviating their sufferings, of preventing many ills, and soothing and calming many sorrows. I have, &c, E. W. Seagee. To the Inspector, Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum, Canterbury, New Zealand.

RETURN showing the Amounts earned by the Patients from the Ist day of May, 1869, to the 30th day of April, 1870.

RETURN of Patients Admitted, Discharged, and Died, from the 1st of May, 1869, to the 30th day of April, 1870.

Trades. No. of Weeks. At per Day. Total. 4 Gardeners 1 Harness maker* 2 Carpenters 1 Painter ... 17 Labourers 25 Women ... 44 44 44 44 44: 44 4s. 5s. 5s. 4s. 2s. Is. £ s. d. 211 4 0 66 0 0 132 0 0 52 16 0 448 16 0 330 0 0 * Eepairing boots, &c, &o. 1. W. Seag: ■., Steward.

Months. Admissions. Discharges. Deaths. No. remaining end I of each Month. 12 Patients—May ... June ... July ... August September October November December January February March April 3 3 1 3 1 2 5 3 8 4 2 1 3 3 1 2 3 1 i 2 92 92 92 92 88 89 94 94 101 101 98 97 3 4 3 2 i 2 36 25 E. W. Seag: ;e, Steward.