H.—7

the male side. I hope to be able during this summer to build a nurses' home, which will enable us to devote the rooms they now occupy for the use of patients. The staff is working very harmoniously, and is efficient. About 30 acres of fresh ground has been got ready for use, so that Dr. King estimates that we shall be able to have a large surplus of potatoes. The dietary is abundant, and of good quality. The assistant clerk and storekeeper promises to be a very satisfactory officer. If the Government can see its way to light the institution with electricity, an immense boon will be conferred by the relief from anxiety regarding fire, and the saving of a great deal of labour. All the statutory books are in order. 11th January, 1900. —The overcrowding on the female side will shortly be relieved. Authority has been issued for the erection of twenty-six single rooms, and a corridor and day-room. A nurses' home is also authorised, which will make the single rooms at present occupied by them available for patients. Subject to Dr. King's approval, we could give further relief by removing about thirty females to Porirua, where the new wing for females will soon be ready for occupation. Of course, there are serious objections to removing patients to districts remote from their friends. In many cases where the friends have taken little interest the fact of removal of patients to a distant asylum seems to quicken their anxiety to such a degree that they take a great deal of trouble to thwart the proposals of the department. The" additional accommodation provided last year at Simla and the convalescent cottage for females has been a great boon. Except in the female refractory ward, the condition of the Asylum is very satisfactory. To-day 238 men are engaged in the various operations of the farm and. garden ; in inside work eighty-nine are engaged. Of the women, eighteen are engaged fruit-picking, while fifty-six- are occupied inside. Two women were confined to bed yesterday, and three men. The farming operations are being actively prosecuted, and the crops are good. There is abundant grass. The prospects for the year are very encouraging. Vigour and progress are manifest in every department, so that my visits to this Asylum have become a great pleasure instead of being a constant source of anxiety as they were for many years. Hokitika Asylum. 30th October, 1899.—1 found this Asylum in its usual good order. Mr. and Mrs. Gribben, with their staff, are working effectively and harmoniously. The patients are manifestly well cared for. The buildings are well adapted for their purpose, and kept in admirable repair. The patients are well fed, clothed, and lodged. Nobody was confined to bed, nor was there anybody in seclusion. The stock was found in good order. The statutory books are well kept. The number of patients is 123—males, 86 ; females, 37. Dr. Macandrew is very attentive to his duties. The dining-hall has been extended with great advantage. The new dormitory containing twenty-four beds has given great relief. This year ten single rooms are to be at once provided, and thus one of the greatest wants in the Asylum will be met. Mr. Dungan and Mrs. Reynolds, Official Visitors, are active in their duties, and send regular reports to the Minister. Nelson Asylum. 14th August, 1899.—1 saw all the patients to-day in company with Dr. Talbot. One woman was in bed, and was being well attended to. The dinner was abundant, well cooked, and of good quality. I was pleased to find that great pains are taken to induce as many patients as possible to interest themselves in some work in the open air. Here as elsewhere I invariably find the open-air workers looking much better, eating better, and sleeping better. In fact, exercise in the open air under judicious control is, beyond all comparison, the most potent remedy in nervous diseases. The overcrowding on the male side has been effectually relieved by the opening of the new auxiliary. There was no one confined to bed on the male side. The auxiliary building is well adapted for its purpose, and is exceedingly tidy and comfortable. The laundry is at length approaching completion after much heartbreaking delay, but even now, through some mistake, it will be necessary to lengthen the building by 6 ft. I have to express my great satisfaction with the way in which Miss McGoldrick carried on Mrs. Morrison's work during her absence. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are able and faithful in their duties. Dr. Talbot's attention to his patients is very satisfactory. The Deputy Inspector and the Official Visitors are vigilant and extremely solicitous for the improvements of the institution. Porirua Asylum. 17th May, 1899.—Visited the Asylum. 6th August, 1899.—Examined all the buildings. Saw all the patients. Found one male and four females in bed. Saw the dinner being served The quality of the food was excellent, and it was well cooked and served. The behaviour of the patients was very quiet and orderly. The attendants were deft and quiet, managing their patients very well. Good progress is being made with the terminal wing on the female side. 14th December, 1899.—1 have examined the whole building, and have seen all the patients at breakfast, except three men and one woman who were confined to bed, and whom I examined separately. In consultation with Dr. Hassell, I made a careful examination of the case of J. T. S., who wanted his discharge. We decided that it would not be safe to discharge him. lam afraid that he will be troublesome for some time in consequence of refusal; indeed, he threatened that there would be trouble because of it. I think it would be prudent to watch him carefully. All other promising cases were carefully considered. lam very doubtful about D.'s case, because his friends will have nothing to do with him, and if set at liberty he cannot be kept away from New Plymouth. The work of the institution was proceeding satisfactorily. 29th April, 1900. —I have found this Asylum in excellent order. I found the patients just finishing dinner, and all looking well. The food was excellent, and everything was working very

10