5

H.—7

this institution. A further dormitory has been provided for, which, I hope, will speedily be erected. Things have come to such a pass, owing to the failure of Parliament to finish Porirua, that very great difficulty is experienced in preventing violent and impulsive patients injuring others and themselves. The great lack of single rooms has brought things to such a pass that either preventible accidents with proper accommodation must occur or restraint which has for years been practically abolished must be reintroduced. This is very much to be regretted, because, in addition to its being quite unjustifiable in itself, it has a demoralising effect both on patients and attendants which, even after necessary accommodation shall have been provided, must be very difficult to rectify. I did my utmost to get the Government to provide for the completion of Porirua, but failed. The department is therefore reduced to do the best they can, and I shall be very thankful if we can manage to avoid some serious public scandal. Nothing but the utmost vigilance on the part of the doctor and his staff can prevent this. The total.number of patients is 287 males and 217 females. Great difficulty has been experienced in getting Porirua into good working order, but this has now been overcome, and great credit is due to the manager and his staff for the way in which they have put up with the discomforts they had to endure. Mrs. Neill's appointment as Official Visitor is a guarantee that nothing affecting the condition of the female patients and staff will be neglected. The new farm buildings, which are very commodious and substantial, will be ready by Christmas, and a great deal of labour which has been occupied in excavations and other works will be set free for the many works which are required to develop the farm. All the books and documents were in order, and the stock is carefully looked after. Only nineteen men and forty-nine women are found incapable of some kind of useful employment. Great care is taken that every excitable patient shall spend as much time as possible in the open air. Divine service is attended by thirty-four men and twenty-three women. Ashbuen Hall, Dunedin. 24th August, 1894. —After careful examination of every patient and every part of the institution, lam satisfied that there is no falling-off in the management. The medical officer is competent and careful. The patients are as well treated as is possible under deprivation of liberty. I found none under restraint. The diet is ample, and well cooked and served. Miss Monson, the assistant matron, has long been known to me as a capable and well-trained nurse at the Dunedin Hospital. Miss Ferguson is as active as ever. All the patients have had an opportunity of stating their grievances, and 1 heard of none save such as are inevitable owing to loss of liberty. The Asylum as a whole is in a thoroughly satisfactory condition. I found all the books and documents in order. In Asylum this day—males, 17 ; females, 18: out on trial—males, 1; females, 1. 28th December, 1894. —The total number of inmates this day I find to be forty : males, 23; females, 17. I carefully examined them all, and find only two cases in regard to which there is any doubt as to whether the time has come for discharging them. One of these I have decided to let "out on trial " for three months under the usual bond, the other I have agreed to transfer if the friends request it Every part of the Asylum 1 found in good order, especially the female side. Two of the women I found under restraint during the past night for reasons which I approve. Owing to a mistake I found the Eestraint Eegister had not lately been kept. I have agreed to accept Mr. Hume's authority for its use in the absence of the medical man, who at this Asylum is not required by law to be resident. I am satisfied that in every respect this Asylum deserves the confidence of the public. I have, &c, D. MacGeegoe, M.A., M.8., Inspector of Asylums.