H.—lo

8

The supply of water is deficient, and is obtained laboriously by pumping from a well. A pipe has been laid down to connect a tank with those at the adjoining hospital, which is said to be now abundantly supplied from a neighbouring brewery ; but it is only intended that water shall be drawn from the hospital in case of emergency, such as fire. There is no sufficient protection against fire, the risks of which must be considered as very serious in an old shingle-roofed building tenanted by helpless insane women. The privies which were used by the hospital patients were found to be too far distant from the wards to be conveniently used by the lunatics, and therefore three earth-closets were erected in the ground between the refractory ward and the main building, which has been enclosed as an airingcourt ; but these are not sufficient, and it is found difficult or impossible to keep them clean and in good order. It would be very desirable if an officer of the Public "Works Department would inspect this building and report on what should be done to improve the roof and internal woodwork, to procure a sufficient supply of water both for ordinary purposes and in case of fire, and on the possibility of having ordinary water-closets. Tho female patients are likely to remain here for the next two years, as there is little prospect of the new Asylum wing being ready before that time, and the building in its present condition is not a fit abode for them. The wards were found clean and in good order; so alao was the bedding, with exception of some of that in the single rooms occupied by wet and dirty patients. In wet weather there is no means of drying wet bedding. All the patients were quiet and well behaved during the visit. They are, generally speaking, better dressed and more tidy in their appearance than formerly ; and none seem now to be allowed to go about barefooted. There is still however great room for improvement, and the nurses themselves should show a better example of neatness. The patients were seen enjoying a good dinner. They are not allowed knives and forks; and it is very disagreeable to see them all eating with their fingers. Only some 12 are restricted for exercise to the small airing-yard. All the others are permitted to go out into the large and cheerful field in which the hospital buildings stand; and from 20 to 30 of them take frequent walks beyond this field. There is a weekly dance on Friday evenings, from 7 to 9 o'clock, in which about 30 of the inmates take part. Friends of the Matron and other officers are admitted by invitation, and dance with the patients. The music is supplied by a band formed out of the male attendants. There is also a regular monthhr concert got up by the attendants, which is said to be much appreciated. No Divine service is performed at the Asylum ; but about 20 of the inmates, with several of tho officers, regularly attend the Hospital chapel. On every alternate Sunday the patients receive a visit from a party of ladies, who spend some time in the wards among them, sing sacred music, supply them with flowers, and talk in a friendly way with them. The patients are reported to be greatly pleased by these visits; and there can be no doubt that such acts of kindness, when judiciously performed, are calculated to do much good in many ways. The staff of officers consists of the Matron, a night nurse, five ordinary nurses, and a cook. Besides these a married male attendant resides on the premises, and makes himself generally useful ; and there is an unpaid labouring man, formerly an inmate of the Hospital, who gets his board, and pumps water, &c. The Medical Superintendent visits daily, and oftener when necessary ; and the Keeper and Clerk have also to pay frequent visits. Although some extra expense is entailed by the women residing in this building, and although it is far from being a suitable place for them, they are certainly better off than when couped up in the top story of the Asylum. Male Depabthent. All of the Asylum which was left habitable by the fire is now in occupation by the male patients, and is greatly overcrowded. The restoration of the upper story, and other destroyed portions, is in progress, and as soon as it is finished the whole building can be taken possession of by the men, and their crowded condition will be considerably relieved. But until the new wing is completed, the state of this Asylum cannot be otherwise than in the highest degree unsatisfactory. All the patients were seen. There was not nearly so much noise and excitement as on previous visits. Since the four additional attendants recommended were got, the patients have not been confined as formerly to the airing-court, but have had much more extended exercise, and this has doubtless much to do with the dimunition of noisy excitement. Many of them are exceedingly untidy and slovenly in their appearance. No less than 15 were noticed going about barefooted, and with no other clothing than shirt and trousers. No patients were found in seclusion, nor under restraint; and there are only three at present confined to bed. Four violent and dangerous men wear strait jackets at night ; this is rendered necessary by the overcrowding, and the deficiency of single rooms. From 50 to 60 take exercise daily in the grounds, and a party of 30 to 40 go out twice daily for a country walk. On an average about 30 are usefully employed, of whom 12 pump water and cut firewood, G work in the garden, 6 in the kitchen, and G in the dining hall. The remaining 90 odd engage in no occupation. Since the fire, and the consequent removal of the female department to tho old Hospital, there have been no regular associated amusements for the men; but a few of them occasionally play cricket and quoits. A large number of the inmates are very troublesome cases, and require much special attention. Fifteen of them are entered in the Medical Journal as being of wet and dirty habits; and the actual number of wet beds varies from three to six. There are in this Asylum, as in all the others in the colony, several persons who, though undoubtedly of unsound mind to a certain extent, do not require Asylum treatment; and who are detained, rather because they have no friends able and willing to take care of them, than because the nature of their disease requires Asylum treatment.