9

H.-7

diversification of useful employment is held to be our greatest therapeutic agent, and I believe its efficacy is being utilised to the utmost at Seacliff. Our chief want at present is a refitted laundry. Our machinery is worn out, and the inconvenience is very great. The money paid for washing in Dunedin would pay interest on £1,200, and the work is not so satisfactorily done as it could be on the spot.* For No. 2 male-ward day-room accommodation is very badly needed, and we have long been waiting for authority to proceed with the alteration required in the windows in front and the building projected at the south-east end over part of the large male airing-court. The new auxiliary to accommodate thirty-six patients is now ready for occupation, and will greatly relieve the overcrowding. Dr. Crosby conducted this Hospital in a very satisfactory manner, and has well earned promotion in the Department. The place of assistant has been filled by Dr. Brett, who was lately chosen by the Agent-General to come out to Seacliff. Hokitika Mental Hospital. 28th November, 1904. —I have examined the whole of this Hospital, with special reference to the results of the change of administration which has recently taken place owing to the retirement of Mr. Gribben, whose firm yet beneficient and kindly rule has for so many years made this institution a credit to Westland. After over thirty years' service Mr. Gribben was retired at his own request. For faithfulness and ability in his work his equal will be hard to find, and Mrs. Gribben, the Matron, was a helpmate worthy of such a husband. Mr and Mrs. Downey, who have succeeded Mr. and Mrs. Gribben, are inspired by a high and honourable motive in their ambition to emulate their admirable predecessors, and only time can enable me to measure their success. I saw and examined all the patients, and found everything in satisfactory order. Nelson Mental Hospital. 3rd December, 1904.—This Hospital has been placed under the charge of Mr. George Chapman, who for many years has been head attendant at Sunnyside. He is therefore a man of long experience in dealing" with the insane, and, besides that, a firm but kindly administrator. I have the utmost confidence that the Nelson Mental Hospital will in his hands continue to prosper and improve. In my inspection to-day I approve of a great many suggestions, which seem to me valuable, and I have no doubt the" Minister will grant his sanction for carrying them out. The Matron, Miss Tibbie, and the head attendant, Mr. McLean, deserve my heartiest thanks for the efficient services they have rendered during the period of transition. The male airing-court in the rear of the building ought to be laid afresh, and a new floor laid in the corridor. A new dining-room can be provided on the male side, and a large bow window provided about the middle of the right wing, which would greatly improve the lighting of the whole day-room. The buildingneeds painting throughout, and I hope a vote will be taken for this purpose next year. I anticipate many improvements from Mr. Chapman's administration, and I have reason to believe that the Minister is thoroughly determined that nothing will be neglected which he is convinced will be for the good of the patients and attendants. The lack of a good farm is a great drawback to this institution, and I hope that no pains will be spared to utilise what land we have to the best advantage. A good spirit animates the staff, and I find the institution as a whole in good working-order. Owing to the high proportion of aged and infirm patients, there is not the same amount of labour available as in some of our other institutions, and there is no doubt that the greatest care will be taken to utilise what there is to the best advantage. To-day there are eighty men and fifty-six women. Two men are in bed, one suffering from the effects of a perineal abscess, which is being carefully attended to by Dr. Bett. Only one woman confined to bed. One woman is wearing canvas gloves to prevent her from injuring herself. Porirua Mental Hospital. 31st January 1905.—1 made a careful inspection to-day of the alleged inperfections of our sewage and drainage systems. In deference to criticism, the Public Works Department have opened the whole track of the main water-pipe, so that as far as the main building is concerned there cannot be any question entertained of its being a possible source of contamination of our water-supply The same simple remedy which has so easily rectified this objection to the supply of the main'building can be equally applied to the auxiliary. There remains, however, a simpler remedy still for any lingering doubt—namely, to cut off the supply of the main building, at any rate from any possible contact with the sewage area by limiting the two small and insignificant corners affected, and confining the sewage within the line of the water-pipes. As for the pipe to the auxiliary, it could be run along the surface, resting on and protected by a concrete channe . A model has been designed for testing the question as to whether organisms can penetrate welliointed pines under such a heavy pressure as 1001b. Apart from this possibility, no cause lias oeen discovered for the unfortunate outbreak of typhoid by which the Hospital was visited. Ihis Mental Hospital is this day in excellent order. . 6th Tuiv 1905 —I find this Hospital working well in all its departments. A good spirit seems to animate the whole staff. The quantity and quality of the food body-clothing beds and bedding are all good and suitable. The patients are carefully attended to by Dr Hasse 1 and his atsistent Dr. Johnston. The total number of patients is 592-324 males and 268 females Five males and twelve females are out on trial; nine males and five females were confined to bed all of whom I visited and examined. I also saw all the recent-cases, and inquired into the causation of their trouble There are no bedsores in the institution, nor has there been any case of restraint for a considerable time. The unfortunate outbreak of typhoid has passed away, and notwithtandinTall our inquiries, in which we were assisted by the officers of the Public Health Department no probable theory of its causation has been arrived at. The new extension of the laundry will be a great relief, but I regret that the building was not extended to meet the cross-walls jit

» A sum is plaoed upon this year's estimates to provide for up-to-date machinery.

2—H. 7.