H.—No. 10.

Auckland Asylum.

Sokitika Asylum.

7. If the estate be only large enough, and well situated at a short distance from town, and tho building subdivided into many private and convenient rooms, with plenty of light and cheerful prospect, and with suitable grounds and gardens for exercise and work, such an institution would be a glory to the Colony ; and though it would certainly bo a great annual expense, it would still afford some outlet for the people's beneficence, like the hospitals and old mens' homes, instead of being ranked with gaols and reformatories as " self-supporting " establishments, where the work which pays is but the result of crime. The labour of a lunatic, of one afflicted by God, should be for the benefit of his health, both mental and bodily, and as a reward for good behaviour, and not exacted from him arbitrarily as the punishment of evil doing. At the same time it is to be hoped that the Central Asylum will be supplied with all kinds of workshops and appliances, for the exersiso and mental occupation of the patients without reference to the expense incurred ; for it is only when working with a will (and they will not work without it), or when absorbed in quiet and pleasant meditation, that these afflicted ones seem to be supremely happy. To get them to work is a privilege, and not as a task, would appear to be the great rule for asylum labour, whether the product of that labour be remunerative or not, so that a large grant in aid will require to be voted by the Assembly for many years to come. I have only to remark in conclusion, that I hope the building will be commenced forthwith, and made ready for patients without unnecessary delay. 11. Hanson Turton, Inspector of Asylums, Parnell, 4th October, 1871. Province of Auckland. Telegram from Dr. Dermott, of Hokitika. 1. There are twenty-five male patients in the County Lunatic Asylum, and ten female patients in asylum connected with management of Hospital. 2. Accommodation for male patients consists of nine sleeping rooms, men's room, two securely inclosed yards, bath room, recreation ground in extent one acre, on margin of a terrace overlooking the sea, surrounded by a fence fourteen feet high ; arrangements now in progress for addition. Budding for male and female patients conjointed. 3. One chief attendant and two assistants. 4. Have ample means for curative treatment. 5. My views are opposed to large asylums, and in favour of general local ones, to be visited periodically by ono or more Inspectors, after the system prevailing in England, and in the Colony of Victoria, Australia. Dr. Dermott, County Surgeon, and Medical Officer to Lunatic Asylum.

REPORT OE JOINT COMMITTEE ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

20