H.—4

5

merit of the insane. Meat three times a day, and in unlimited quantities, is the colonial idea of diet. I had been restrained from introducing improvements in this matter, owing to the certainty of an outcry; but' Dr. King's zeal and enthusiasm have effected this reform with a result, on the appearance and weight of the patients, that is very remarkable. This great reform has not, however, been effected without much discontent, fanned vigorously, I am afraid, by disaffected and ignorant persons both outside and inside the Asylum. Dr. King has also been greatly embarrassed by attempts to cause a public scare about escapes, by these same persons, and thus cause a diminution of the liberty which we have, with such difficulty, succeeded in extending to the patients ; for, manifestly, the immense benefit of freedom to the patients to spend their days in the open air is worth running the risk of a few escapes to attain. The number of patients in the Asylum is 486— males, 288; and females, 198. Eight men and six women were confined to bed under medical treatment; while one man and one woman were secluded for satisfactory reasons. All the books and papers were in order, and the case-book is kept with great care by the doctor. 3rd December, 1891. —I find everything in this Asylum going on in an orderly and systematic fashion. The patients are clean, well clad, well fed. I regret that the delay which has taken place in bringing in the Warriugton Spring has considerably embarrassed the working of the Asylum during the recent long-continued dry weather ; but all difficulty from this source has gone with the advent of the rains, and I am glad to hear that the Minister for Public Works has decided to take the spring at once, leaving the question of compensation for riparian rights to be determined as provided for by the Public Works Act. The chief improvements to be noted since my last-visit are due to the skill and energy with which the new gardener, Mr. Spence, is laying off the gardens and grounds under the doctor's directions. I expect to find that in a comparatively shorttime Seacliff will be one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand. A complete scheme of sewage irrigation by gravitation has been designed and carried out by Dr. King for the upper Asylum and garden. A similar system for the disposal of the sewage of the main building is now in hand, and, to judge by the results already apparent, the returns will be splendid. All through the season the patients are to receive abundance of radishes and lettuces with their tea on certain days. The appearance of the farm promises a most abundant harvest, and the produce ought to make a steady reduction in the cost of maintaining the institution. Four men and three women were confined to bed for medical reasons ; seven men and six women were wearing strong canvas dresses. On the farm and garden 166 men were at some kind of useful work. Twenty-seven men. were engaged in the workshops, and seventy men and sixty-nine women in the wards. In the whole Asylum there are only twenty-four men and forty-four women who either are incapable or cannot be induced to do any kind of work. In the large hall 245 men take all their meals every day in the most quiet and orderly manner. The new Matron, Miss Beswick, is giving great satisfaction, and the best relations exist between her and her subordinates. It has been determined that the front of the building shall be devoted entirely to recreation-grounds and airing-courts as soon as it shall be possible to devote the rooms at present occupied by the doctor to their proper use as an administrative block. Hokitika. Ist October, 1891.—1 have this day inspected every part of this Asylum, and find, both as regards the treatment of the patients and the general management of the institution, it is in a very satisfactory condition. The total number of patients is 102—males, 67 ; females, 35. None were in seclusion, and only two —one man and one woman —were confined to bed by passing illness. There are only two patients who do not join in regular recreation, and the total number of those who have not been induced to do some healthy work is only twenty-four. The books and documents were all in order, the case-book especially being very carefully kept. The garden, .farm, and outbuildings are in excellent order, and the Asylum as a whole is in such a condition that it is a pleasure to visit it. Nelson. Ist April, 1892.—1 have made to-day and yesterday a careful inspection of this institution. All the patients were up and going about. All were suitably clad. I was present at and carefully observed the distribution and quality of their dinner. It was all that could be desired, but I thought there was a want of despatch in the serving of it. All parts of the building were admirably clean, and the beds comfortable. In short, I have no fault to find with the organization of the Asylum and the treatment of the patients. There seems to me, however, to be some slackness in some points in the management of the farm—for instance, the pigs are of very poor quality, and are very badly cared for, and a considerable number of useless fruit-trees are still left standing in the orchard, simply cumberers of the ground. The oft-promised connection with the new water-reservoir is still incomplete. I hope the Public Works Department will lose no further time in finishing this most necessary work. Mr. Morrison, the Superintendent, was absent on leave ; but nevertheless I found everything going on in a most orderly manner under the charge of Mrs. Morrison and the head attendant, Mr. White. A good spirit animates the staff, and I heard no complaints of any kind. A great part of the buildings have been painted, and have a much more cheerful air in consequence. Dr. Fell, the Deputy Inspector, has been most assiduous in his superintendence, and the institution shows in its whole working the effect of the strong local interest that is taken in its welfare. Wellington. 26th October, 1891. —To-day and yesterday I have been engaged in my usual inspection of this Asylum. The large number of admissions has had the effect of greatly hampering the working of this institution. Some months ago I found it necessary to relieve the pressure by removing ten male patients to Nelson, and now I find it unavoidable to get some relief on the female side. I propose to remove about thirty women to Sunnyside at the first opportunity. I had hoped to be able