H.—2

1874. NEW ZEALAND.

LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN NEW ZEALAND, (REPORTS ON THE).

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by command of Sis Excellency.

AUCKLAND. No. 1. Eepoet on the Peovincial Lunatic Astltjm. Sie ,— "Wellington, 18th June, 1874. In reply to your letter of the 16th instant, in reference to the Inspector of the Auckland Asylum not having supplied his annual report on the 31st January last, I have the honor to state that, at the Superintendent's request, a general report was transmitted, both by the Eesident Surgeon and myself, nearly at the end of the year, so as to be laid before the Provincial Council, which met in the month of December. Had I been in Auckland, I should have supplemented that report by a few further remarks; but being on a visit to Wellington at the time, and knowing that Dr. Aickin had written a full report on every additional topic which I had purposed alluding to (and which report I knew would be attached to my own for transmission to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary), I therefore did not send in another report on 31st January, supposing that the former one would be considered sufficient. I would now say, that in the interim of time alluded to no particular circumstance worthy of special remark" occurred to us, either with respect to the building, the patients, or the general management of the institution. There was just the same want of room and want of assistance as heretofore, causing anything like a suitable classification impossible. The Provincial Government are very willing to do what they can, but want of funds prevents them from doing what they ought; and unless such, funds are supplemented by the General Assembly, no Inspector can visit the Auckland Asylum repeatedly, as I did, without a feeling of intense disappointment and regret that such a state of things should be allowed to exist. In such a condition of over-crowding and intermixture of the several classes of patients, it is almost a marvel that any cures at all can be effected; and yet, under the combined influence of medical attention, wholesome diet, and a genial climate, the proportion of discharges to admissions is very satisfactory indeed. It is, however, very desirable, if only for the amusement and gratification of the inmates, that the regular monthly entertainments, of a musical character, should be revived, after being discontinued for so long a period. It would also be the means of renewing the interest of the general public in the condition and management of the establishment, and so be productive of many advantages. As to the dancing of the female patients, I would have that limited to themselves, their attendants, and a few select friends invited for the purpose; for I never could see the advantage of allowing them to intermix in the miscellaneous company of a public entertainment. Such private dances they have frequently had in their own parlour, but an extension of the system might, I think, be pursued with advantage. All the other wants of the institution have been so fully and so often referred to in former reports, that it is apparently useless to advert to them again. They can all be supplied at but a comparatively small expense ; and when the proposed General Inspector of Asylums arrives, they will doubtless be again urged on the attention of the authorities, when it is to be hoped they will meet with better success. My half-yearly statements were duly supplied to His Honor the Superintendent at the end of June and December respectively. I have, &c, H. Hanson Ttjeton, (late Inspector of Asylums, Province of Auckland), The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. I—H. 2.