RELIGIOUS, CHARITABLE, &c, RESERVES.

47

A.—No. a

PROVINCE OE CANTERBURY.

Evidence taken before Mr. Hart, at Canterbury. Saturday, 25th December, 1869. In the afternoon the Commissioner visited the Public Domain, or Government Domain, part of the town reserves mentioned in the schedule to the Ordinance referred to in grant recorded, book 6, p. 327. The ground is entered by park gates, and is enclosed with a lofty live fence. On entering, to the right and left extend, in a straight line, broad alleys of grass, planted with rows of trees yielding a pleasant shade. Within the ground, and extending on all sides of it, is a broad carriage road, with extensive borders planted with forest trees, shrubs, and flowers, and producing a very agreeable effect. The fidelity with which this work appears to have been done —every part of the work appearing to have had equal care, skill, and judgment bestowed upon it—is as remarkable as the effect is gratifying. This ground is divided by the River Avon from another portion of the town reserves used as a place for acclimatizing foreign plants and animals. This has upon it a considerable plantation of trees and shrubs, rather for purposes of shelter than for show. In the nursery attached to the first-mentioned ground are about 15,000 trees and shrubs ready for planting out when the season arrives for it. They include most of the English forest trees—sycamores, oaks, ash, mountain ash, elms, hollies. The Commissioner was informed that these grounds are kept in order by a man employed as manager, and persons employed under him who have applied to the Provincial Government for employment. Not to compete with the ordinary labour market, and to test the necessity which compels application to the Provincial Government for employment, these men are engaged at half the current wages, with liberty to leave when they can get full employment elsewhere. In the meantime they acquire a certain amount of skill in the work which renders them more eligible for full employment. Exchanges of trees, shrubs, &c, with gardeners and others having trees and shrubs to dispose of, of kinds not already in the gardens for others in stock, are encouraged. In this way the portion of the reserve now referred to is rendered useful in various parts of the Province.

Monday, 27th December, 1869. The Commissioner visited the Lunatic Asylum, in company with Mr. Rolleston, the Superintendent, and was, by Mr. Seager, steward, conducted through the different wards and apartments, and shown the various appliances used in the care and treatment of the patients there. The arrangements for classification according to the sexes, the nature and degree of the malady, and for gradual removal of the patient in the progress from a dangerous or boisterous state towards a quiet and convalescent state, appear to be complete. The clean, bright, and cheerful appearance of the rooms in which the milder patients were kept, the moral inducement held out to self-restraint and quiet conduct, the means of amusement and occupation, reading and instruction, impress the spectator with the belief that a special aptitude for the work is possessed by Mr. Seager, and that an earnest interest in the success of the treatment for the cure of the unfortunate subjects of his care has prompted his exertions. In many respects the appliances and supplies for the Asylum are copied from those in the bestconducted institutions of the kind in the Mother Country. One novel feature has been added, in the form of a registry, containing the names of each patient, age, name of vessel in which the patient arrived, a"d all the particulars necessary to identifying the individual, to which is prefixed a photograph likeness of the patient. The facilities thus afforded for identifying patients who have died in the hospital possess a value which those only to whom has been intrusted the collection of evidence to establish the identity of any deceased person can fully appreciate. Full particulars of the institution are contained in the printed report and papers, copies of which are handed in herewith. These papers were printed at the press of the institution, and are as follows : —First Report of the Sunny side Lunatic Asylum, Province of Canterbury, from December, 1863, to 14th June, 1867. Scale of Rations and Dietary. Specimen of Medical Journal and Visitation Book. Five programmes of entertainments given to the patients and their friends. Annual Report of the Christchurch Lunatic Asylum for ten months, from Ist February to 30th November, 1868. In the garden, which is of considerable extent, were several of the more advanced patients busily engaged in cultivation. The ground appeared to be very cleanly kept, and abundantly stocked with vegetables suited to the use of the institution. Attention was called to the manure employed, showing the entire absence of waste throughout the establishment. The number of persons restored to their friends and to society by the agency employed therein, is a gratifying test of the efficiency of the means employed. The Commissioner also visited the Emigrants' Barracks. The arrangement for classification and for promoting the health of the new arrivals, as well as for starting them respectably in their new career, are very good. They are thus protected from the temptations to which, landing in a strange place after a long voyage, they would otherwise be liable. Also visited the Orphan Asylum, where are about ninety boys. The building has increased in size with the growth of the settlement, and bears evidence of the benevolent spirit in which it originated. It appears to want some repairs and some conveniences, which, at a slight cost, might be supplied. A portion of the band boys, the others being absent for the holidays, played several airs with liveliness and spirit. The greater portion of the inmates are maintained at the expense of the Provincial Government. 13