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constructing them on approved plans, and, where necessary, reorganizing them on a proper basis. In closing this communication, I beg permission to state that the delay which has occurred in the transmission of it has been caused by hindrances wholly beyond my control, and of which I had not the smallest anticipation when I left New Zealand. At that time I hoped to be able to send in my report very soon after I returned to Victoria, and I can now only trust that you will have the goodness to excuse the unavoidable omission. In conclusion, permit me to say that if at any future time you should desire any information or assistance it is in my power to give in connection with your Asylums, my best services will be at your disposal. I have, &c, E. Paley, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums for Victoria. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z.

APPENDIX I.—A. Wellington Lunatic Asylum, Karori. On the 29th of August, 1872, and again on the 4th of September following, I visited and inspected this Asylum, minutely examining every part of it, and making inquiry into various matters connected with its management. At the time of my visit the building contained 13 male and 13 female patients, who who were under the charge of a keeper with two male assistants, and of a matron with one female assistant. I saw and spoke to all the patients, of whom one man and one woman were confined to bed by slight illness, and two women were in seclusion on account of violence. One man was employed in the kitchen helping the cook, the rest (except the one in bed) were sitting listlessly in a small day room or walking in a dull enclosed yard. A few of the women were busy with knitting or with needlework, and looked better dressed and cared for than the men. I saw the dinner on the female side served to the patients. It was well cooked, good in quality, and sufficient in quantity. It appeared to me, however, that a few additions in the way of table appliances might be made with advantage and comfort to the patients. Thus, they might have table-cloths, knives and forks, plain cruet-stands, &c, and the joints and puddings might be placed on the table in separate dishes, and carved and distributed by the attendants as in a a private home. I was informed, in reply to questions,— (I.J That a surgeon visited the Asylum two or three times a week; but as he lived at a distance of four miles, and no stock of drugs was kept on the premises, it was not usual for the patients to have medicines (except ordinary aperients) administered to them. 2. That patients were sometimes personally restrained by a strait waistcoat or a restraint chair, and that these were used at the discretion of the keeper or the matron in the absence of the medical attendant. Here I would recommend that the medical visitations be made frequently, but at no fixed period of the day, and that it be an instruction to the medical attendant to record in a book the date, hour, and duration of each visit, and to make entry of the disorder for which he prescribes medicines, the medicines he prescribes, and the effects thereof. With regard to personal restraint, I would advise that, whenever resorted to, it be recorded by the keeper or the matron in a " Restraint Book," to be produced to the medical attendant at every visit, and initialled by him. I think it highly advisable that there be kept at the Asylum a small stock of the drugs in most frequent use in the treatment of insanity, and a few such surgical instruments and appliances as are often needed in dealing with the insane. Amongst the latter are apparatus for administering food —sub-cutaneous injection syringe, enema apparatus, Eesophagus bougies and probangs, catheters, india-rubber cushions of various sizes and shapes, india-rubber mattrasses, &c. With reference to the present Asylum at Karori as a place for the care and treatment of the insane, I purposely refrain from offering any comment or observation, inasmuch as it has already been officially condemned as unsuitable in every respect, and the authorities of the Province of Wellington have already taken in hand the construction of a new Asylum on an eligible site and on an approved plan. I may state, however, that my opinion is quite in accord with the view of those who have advised that the home at Karori be abolished as an Asylum for the insane, and I am glad also to take this opportunity of acknowledging the facilities which were afforded me during my stay in Wellington of seeing the plans and site for the new building. The plan is good, the site easy of access but at the same time elevated and cheerful, and there is enough space for all purposes of exercise, recreation, and work. I would advise that the water supply be made full and constant over every part of the building, and that hydrants and hose be placed at convenient points, with service at such a pressure as will afford means of directing a copious stream of water against any given place at a moment's notice. In order to make the grounds picturesque and pleasant for the patients, I would suggest that a plan, prepared by a practical landscape gardener, be placed in the hands of the keeper, with an