H.—7

6

Some'general facts have to be understood to explain the variations in cost. First, smaller hospitals expensive than larger because the salaries of higher officers (practically the same in either case) distributed over fewer patients work out more per caput. The ordinary staff is of necessity relatively more numerous. This latter is an important factor in the cost of institutions with many auxiliary buildings, like Seacliff. Cost of provisions is higher in Hokitika, Wellington, and Nelson. Farm-returns vary according to the quality of the soil and the amount of land available for cultivation. The maintenance-increase in Wellington is due to the increase in salaries and prices of provisions ; in Seacliff it is due to falling-off in repayments, for the actual cost has been reduced. The decrease at Hokitika is explained by the large increase the previous year for bedding and clothing of the patients thither transferred from Sunnyside, plus the larger amount received for maintenance during the year under review. At Nelson there has been a large increase in the repayments, and at Christchureh the decrease is divided between a reduction in total cost and an increase in repayments. At Porirua there has been a decrease in the general cost. At Auckland an increase in miscellaneous expenses. The figures here are based on Table XXI. in the appendix, and are therefore exclusive of the items under Table XX. Nor is there any allowance made for interest on capital, or, in other words, no rent is charged. The following works have been undertaken since the date of the last report: — Auckland. Extensive alterations and additions ; converting old laundry into dormitories, and furnishing same for females ; painting hospital wing ; extra accommodation now being provided for 105 males. Orders have been issued for a park to replace airing-court (male), similar to that on female side. Tenders will shortly be invited for the erection of a building for the treatment of suitable recent and recoverable cases —in other words, for a reception-house. Wellington. Nothing material: repairs, renovations, painting, &c. Porirua. Erecting, furnishing, and'fitting up auxiliary building, in which however, the day-room accommodation is insufficient in wet weather; erection of piggeries, food-store, fence, latrines, &c.; providing engine\and dynamo for electric lighting, and installing electric light and May-Otway's fire-alarms in auxiliary building ; additions to laundry and new machinery therefor ; formation of filter-bed and fencing off source of water-supply ; the properly jointed iron water-pipes laid bare, and the water thus placed beyond the remotely possible source of contamination from the septic-tank effluent percolating through the soil; meat-house placed out of the way from kitchen-court, and ventilated on the Ross's double-current system. Provision has been made upon the estimates for the erection of a reception-house. Nelson. Painting of bedrooms, construction of dam, erection of workshop and piggeries. Hokitika. Purchase of property adjoining, making a handsome and useful addition to our resources, also completing additions. Sunnyside. New auxiliary building, in which, however, the day-room accommodation is insufficient in wet weather ; Essex boiler, and radiators for heating same ; fire-extinguishing appliances ; erection of farm-manager's cottage ; repairs and renovations to North House ; towers being altered to take in new water-storage tanks. Provision has been made upon the estimates for the erection of a reception-house if a suitable building cannot be purchased adjacent to the mental hospital. Seaclipf. Erection of auxiliary farm buildings, and furnishing same ; additions to single rooms to accommodate thirty women ; shoring and underpinning north main buildings and rebuilding wall; repairing ceilings, dormitories, and day-rooms, female side ; new range with high-pressure boilers. The houses at Orokonui have been put in order for their new occupants. The epileptic pavilion will need a sittingroom. The Seacliff Auxiliary adds greatly to our accommodation (fifty patients) and resources ; but to provide day-room space for excited male patients at the main hospital will mean using dormitory now occupied by twenty-six. At this date there are six male patients in excess of accommodation and nine vacant beds for females, taking all the mental hospitals. The additions in progress at Avondale, the acquisition of the Home for the Feeble-minded at Richmond, near Nelson, and the reception-houses contemplated at Avondale, Porirua, and Sunnyside will add both to our accommodation and means of classification. The outbreak of enteric fever at Porirua and Avondale is much to be regretted, but happily the trouble is over. Its advent remains as inexplicable as its departure, for beyond excluding the sanitary fittings in and about the hospitals and the water-supply, we are no nearer a solution. At Porirua, as a result of frequent visits of the officers of this and the Public Health Department, and of consultations on the spot with Dr. Hassell and yourself, works were immediately carried out dealing with matters which may have had some remotely possible connection with the outbreak. These works (vide statement of works undertaken) were put in hand more in a spirit of not leaving a stone unturned than under conviction of their absolute necessity. When it is remembered that the pressure