H.—2

8

the accommodation and of the attention bestowed on the patients. The situation of the Asylum is excellent, and the Keeper, Mr. Gribben, thoroughly understands his work, and, I am happy to say, evidently takes the greatest interest in it. There are various indoor amusements provided for the patients, such as cards, chess, draughts, books, &c. There is an excellent piano, and one or two of the attendants are musicians ; and a weekly dance is held in the Asylum, the patients on these occasions enjoying themselves thoroughly, and conducting themselves in an orderly manner. Out of doors there is a variety of amusements, such as bowls and quoits, and work is provided for those who like to do it. Some are employed in the gardens, some in sawing timber. One man has made himself very useful as a blacksmith. The Numbee of Patients in the Asylum on the 31st December, 1872, was— Males ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 32 Females ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 14 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 46 Eeceived during the Year ended 31st December, 1873. Males ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 Females ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 17 Dischaeged during the same period. Males ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 11 Females ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Total 13 Died during the same period. Males ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Females ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Eemaining in the Hokitika Asylum on the 31st December, 1873. Males ... ... .., ... ... ... ... ... 35 Females ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 14 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 49 The average cost of maintenance for each patient per week during the year was 17s. 9|d. I have, &c, G. G. FitzGeeald, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums for the Province of Westland. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Eetuen under Part IV., Section 60, of " The Lunatics Act, 1868." Number of visits to the Sea View Lunatic Asylum during the half-year ended 30th December, 1873 " ... ... " ... ... 4— 12 miles. Total number of patients seen during the above visits ... ... ... 196 Average number of lunatics in custody during the half-year ended as above ... 51M G. G. FitzGeeald, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums for Province of Westland.

OTAGO. No. 10. Mr. D. MacGbesoe to His Honor the Supeeintendent. Sib, — I have the honor to lay before you the report of the Dunedin Lunatic Asylum, for the year ending 31st March, 1874. I have visited the Asylum at intervals, sometimes once a month, sometimes once a fortnight: on every occasion I found all going on well. No accidents have happened, nor did I ever hear any complaints calling for investigation. The present building was from the first regarded as temporary ; but it was enlarged from time to time, as the inmates increased in number, or rather, as the provincial funds admitted of it. The result is that, at any rate since I became acquainted with the state of the Asylum, there has not been enough of room to admit of the patients taking their meals in comfort, and anything like proper classification has been impossible. I am glad, however, to say that both these defects are now in course of being removed. This week the additions recently made are ready for occupation, the patients therefore can now be classified to a greater extent than formerly, and more suitable dining accommodation will soon be available. The dormitories are airy, and are kept scrupulously clean. Taken as a whole, and