3

H.—7

The receipts from produce, &c, sold from the asylum farms are as follows :— £ s. d. Auckland ... ... ... ... ... ... 379 2 4 Christchurch ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,170 11 2 Seacliff ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,115 3 0 Hokitika ... ... ... ... ... ... 40 4 3 Nelson ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 162 15 0 Porirua ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 683 16 3 Wellington ... ... ... ... ... 157 8 0 Total ... ... ... ... ... £3,709 0 0 New Works at the Various Hospitals. Last year our mental hospitals were greatly benefited by the extension of Seacliff to include Orokonui, thus enabling us to remove many of our epileptics from the general wards, a most important step towards the proper classification of our patients. The Camp, Otago Peninsula—which has been purchased for the purpose—will soon be available for a still further relief of a most embarrassing class of patients which has hitherto hampered our efforts at classification. At Richmond, near Nelson, a Home for Idiots and Imbeciles has been opened, and is well managed by Mr. and Mrs. Buttle. This is a great improvement, and when the contemplated authorised extensions are carried out we may congratulate ourselves on our steady progress towards sufficient accommodation of late years. By next year a Receiving Hospital for early and doubtful and voluntary cases will be provided at Auckland out of a sum of £3,000 bequeathed by the late Mr. Wolff. This will enable us to feel our way for similar Receiving Homes elsewhere. Considerable delay has been caused by our having to acquire land for a suitable site. Changes in the Staff. Owing to Dr. Hassell's leave of absence after fifteen years' of steady work, Dr. Gribben, Assistant Medical Officer at Sunnvside, was appointed Acting Medical Superintendent at Porirua. I have inspected the Hospital twice since Di. Gribben took charge on the Ist April, and on both occasions I was highly pleased with the medical and economical management of the institution. Dr. Jeffries has been appointed Assistant Medical Officer at Porirua, in place of Dr. Barraclough, who has resigned. Dr. Donald, who is well known as an accomplished and highly trained expert in many departments of medical science, has been appointed as Assistant to Dr. King in charge of the Seacliff extension at Waitati. Dr. Tizard, who has had eight years' experience at Colney Hatch, was appointed Assistant at Seacliff. Dr. Gribben's place at Sunnyside was filled by Dr. Wadmore. D. MacGregor, M.A., M.8., M.C., LL.D., Inspector-General.

ENTEIES OF VISITS OF INSPECTION TO THE VARIOUS MENTAL HOSPITALS. Auckland Mental Hospital. 27th April, 1906.—1 have made an inspection of this Mental Hospital to-day and yesterday, *and find that Dr. Beattie's return has had the effect of restoring to the old position the internal working of the institution. Owing to his resolute action in certain recent cases, calumnious reports have been refuted and confidence restored. The institution in all its departments is in satisfactory order. The number of patients this day is 648—males 389, females 259. I found and examined in bed 13 females and 8 males ; all were receiving careful attention. There are no bedsores. The number of patients under restraint since last inspection was 2 males and 2 females. The admissiors since last inspection numbered 24 females and 19 males. Five males and 11 females were discharged ; 3 males and 8 females died, and 2 males were let out on probation. Twelve attendants and 1 nurse were engaged since last visit. The abnormal number of male attendants was due to prosecutions initiated by Dr. Beattie acting under my instructions. In all cases the good name of the institution was vindicated. Important improvements have been carried out since Dr. Beattie's return. The male bath-room has been enlarged. All the outside woodwork in the main and auxiliary buildings has been painted, and all the outhouses. The old fowlhouses have been removed to a new site on the farm, and a fine new airing-court is in course of construction. Inside, six dormitories and two rooms (day) have been painted, and this process is to be continued till the whole male side is completed. The old settling-tanks have been converted into septic tanks, and seem to answer well. The water-pipes have been relaid to prevent the possibility of contamination. A new store and bakehouse is partly built. My inspection has given me great satisfaction.

Auckland Mental Hospital. 27th April, 1906. —I have made an inspection of this Mental Hospital to-day and find that Dr. Beattie's return has had the effect of restoring to the old position the internal working of the institution. Owing to his resolute action in certain recent cases, calumnious reports have been refuted and confidence restored. The institution in all its departments is in satisfactory order. The number of patients this day is 648 —males 389, females 259. I found and examined in bed 13 females and 8 males ; all were receiving careful attention. There are no bedsores. The number of patients under restraint since last inspection was 2 males and 2 females. The admissions since last inspection numbered 24 females and 19 males. Five males and 11 females were discharged ; 3 males and 8 females died, and 2 males were let out on probation. Twelve attendants and 1 nurse were engaged since last visit. The abnormal number of male attendants was due to prosecutions initiated by Dr. Beattie acting under my instructions. In all cases the good name of the institution was vindicated. Important improvements have been carried out since Dr. Beattie's return. The male bath-room has been enlarged. All the outside woodwork in the main and auxiliary buildings has been painted, and all the outhouses. The old fowlhouses have been removed to a new site on the farm, and a fine new airing-court is in course of construction. Inside, six dormitories and two rooms (day) have been painted, and this process is to be continued till the whole male side is completed. The old settling-tanks have been converted into septic tanks, and seem to answer well. The water-pipes have been relaid to prevent the possibility of contamination. A new store and bakehouse is partly built. My inspection has given me great satisfaction.