H.—7

4

Seacliff.

23rd August, 1894. —After careful examination into every department of this institution, I found everything in good order. The staff is efficient and contented. The patients are well fed, well clothed, and look well. Every part of the building is clean, and kept well warmed and ventilated. The total number of patients is 519 : males, 331; females, 188. lam glad to see that Dr. Fooks has arranged to have the suicidal cases and the epileptics classified so as to admit of more careful surveillance. I regret to find that the north wing is still moving bodily forward, and that consequently the cracks across the corridor are wider than at my last visit. Mr. Ussher is devising means of counteracting the danger arising from this cause. The main sewer has been interrupted owing to the same earth-movement just below the Medical Superintendent's house. It is a matter of urgency that some decision should be come to at once as to how to remedy this. Dr. Fooks has had to leave the house and take refuge in the rooms that were used as offices and reception-rooms. The lowering of the windows in the two front day-rooms has been a great improvement, enabling the patients to enjoy the magnificent sea-view from which they were formerly shut out. The laundry has always been a great difficulty against which the officers have had great trouble in contending. It is so inadequate to the requirements of the winter that no longer delay is possible. An addition to the building must be put up, and a new drying-closet built on the model of that at Porirua. The whole will require an additional expenditure of £500. The extra leave given to the attendants has been much appreciated. All the books and documents are in good order, except the Store Issue Book and the Stock Eegister. 30th December, 1894.—N0 one can examine this Asylum without being strongly impressed with the care that is being devoted to the patients, medically and otherwise. The general health of the inmates is better than in any other of our asylums—largely, I believe, owing to its admirable situation, and the exhilarating and beautiful surroundings. The dietary is ample and wholesome, the dormitories and day-rooms airy (thanks to Dr. King's improvements), the beds, bedding, and clothing carefully attended to; in fact, in all essential respects the condition of the Asylum is satisfactory. Dr. Fooks has maintained the discipline of the Asylum, and he has, I believe, secured the goodwill of all his subordinates. Dr. Craig, the Assistant Medical Officer, has given great satisfaction, and lam satisfied he has done his duty well. The only drawback that now, as heretofore, marks this Asylum as compared with the others is the greater noisiness of the refractory wards, especially on the female side. I am inclined to think this is due to the highly nutritious and stimulating diet, combined with the difficulty of giving them sufficient exercise in the open air to induce natural fatigue. I would suggest that greater efforts be made to meet this difficulty, by walking the noisy and boisterous patients so as to tire them out a little. As regards the extent to which patients are employed in useful open-air work, this Asylum will compare favourably with any other institution known to me. The above remarks apply only to the few noisy and boisterous persons who, of themselves, are enough to upset all the rest at times. On the farm 125 men were at work, in the garden 48, in the workshops 43, giving the remarkable total of 216 out of doors, in addition to 80 who were employed in the wards. Everywhere great difficulty is experienced in keeping the women suitably occupied, but I am convinced that Miss Beswick does her best in this way. The farm is again a disappointment, owing to the unprecedented drought which has hitherto prevailed. Unfortunately, in my estimates I assumed we could not at Seacliff have two bad years running, and our means will be very straitened this year. The amount of restraint employed is reduced to the smallest compass, and every case is duly entered. The new airing-court will soon be ready for occupation ; but I am disappointed to see the fence so high—some patients can still get over it, and it gives a prison-like look to that end of the Asylum. I would rather trust to vigilant attendants. Dr. Fooks has energetically carried on the works still awaiting completion. The amusements and religious services are regularly attended to. An air of contentment pervades the place, and lam sure the public may be content. Mr. Caradus, the Official Visitor, is most careful in his inspections. Hokitika. 2nd November, 1894. —To-day there are 101 patients in this Asylum, all of whom I have examined. They are well cared for in every respect. Their clothes are clean and suitable; their bedding sufficient and clean ; their diet abundant and well cooked. The arrangements of the whole institution demonstrate the great capacity, attention, and experience of Mr. Gribben. I never saw any institution in better order. The staff is efficient and contented; all the books and statutory documents are in order; the stock is well kept; and the Stores Eegister accurate. The amount of restraint exercised is a minimum, and in every case the doctor's certificate has been procured. Nelson. Ist December, 1894.—This Asylum is well looked after in every respect. The patients are well clad and well fed; their beds are comfortable. Nobody was under restraint; quiet and comfort prevail. I heard no complaints, except such as are inevitable where liberty is denied. Wellington. 13th November, 1894.—1 have been engaged in examining this Asylum to-day and yesterday. I find everything in excellent order. Dr. King, who has taken charge for six months to enable Dr. Levinge, of Sunnyside, to get a well-earned holiday, is an old officer of the department, and his attention to his duties has been most exemplary. The matron, Miss Erskine, is doing exceedingly well. The patients are all well clad and well cared for in every respect. The female side under her care is rapidly improving, and bids fair soon to equal the satisfactory state of things which for years has been manifest on the male side. A new dormitory has just been provided, which will be a great help in relieving the overcrowding which has of late so embarrassed the administration of