H.—2

2

NEW PLYMOUTH. No. 2. Mr. Ceompton to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Taranaki. Sib, — New Plymouth, 7th January, 1874. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, that since my last report, dated the 3rd July, 1873, I have visited the Lunatic Asylum nearly every week during the past half year, and sometimes oftener, when my attendance has been asked for by a patient. The required enlargement and improvements of the Asylum are nearly completed. There are at present two lunatics under confinement—viz., Eleazor Naylor, whose 'condition is much the same as when last reported, and George Alfred Gower, a confirmed idiot, and utterly imbecile. I have also visited Michael Flanagan, a convict very lately adjudged a lunatic, and for the present detained in the Gaol until the Asylum is rendered secure enough to detain him. Having visited him several times before and since the adjudication as a lunatic, I must express my doubts as to the character of his luna.cy. Catherine Martin, a monomaniac, mentioned in my last report, has been discharged from the Asylum on her husband giving me his bond for her safety, in accordance with the provisions of the Lunatics Act. Every attention is paid to the health, comfort, and cleanliness of the patients. I have, &c, Wm. M. Ceompton, • His Honor the Superintendent, New Plymouth. Inspector in Lunacy.

No. 3. Mr. Ceompton to His Honor the Supeeintendent, Taranaki. Sib,— New Plymouth, 30th June, 1874. I have the honor to state, for the information of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, that since my last report, dated the 7th January last, I have continued my nearly weekly visits to the Lunatic Asylum during the past half-year, and have great satisfaction in reporting the completion of the Asylum, which is in all respects sufficient for the present requirements of the Province. I have further to report the death of George Alfred Gower on the 10th of April last in the Asylum. There are at present three lunatics in the Asylum—viz., Eleazor Naylor, respecting whom I can report no change whatever for the better; Thomas Coad, whose condition gives no hope of recovery; and Michael Flanagan, who I stated in my last report was detained in the Provincial Gaol until the Asylum was safe. It is satisfactory to be able to report that since his removal to the Asylum he has been far more submissive to rules than heretofore. The attention paid to the health, comfort, and cleanliness of the patients, is satisfactory in all respects. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki. Wm. M. Ceompton, • Inspector in Lunacy.

WELLINGTON. No. 4. Annual Eepobt on Lunatic Asylum. Sib, — Wellington, 28th January, 1874. As Inspector of the Mount View Lunatic Asylum in this city, I have the honor to report to you as follows, pursuant to section 60 of " The Lunatics Act, 1868 ": — This Asylum was lately erected by the Provincial Government of Wellington, upon part of a reserve on the town belt of the city, which was set apart for the purpose, under the provisions of " The Wellington City Eeserves Act, 1872," at a cost of upwards of £7,000. The position is well chosen and healthy, and commands extensive views, while the grounds around the Asylum (comprising nearly 70 acres) are diversified in character, and are well adapted for cultivation and ornamental planting. Gardens have already been laid out, which not only afford healthy employment to the male inmates, but also yield a considerable supply of fresh vegetables for the use of the establishment. I am informed that a good deal of ornamental planting will be undertaken during the ensuing winter. Every facility exists for efficient drainage and sewerage, the latter of which could be effected at a moderate cost so soon as a supply of water has been obtained from the waterworks now under construction by the Corporation of Wellington. With regard to the buildings themselves, however, they appear to me to be defective both in design and in execution, and much alteration will be required in order to bring them up to the standard which is now considered necessary in tho case of efficient asylums for the insane. This subject has been dealt with in a report to the Visiting Justices, by Drs. Alexander Johnston and Grace, and by Mr. France, the medical attendant to the Asylum, in the substance of which I fully concur, and I am informed that the Provincial Government have signified their willingness to incur the necessary expen-