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man-holes, &c, in order that definite data may be at hand to formulate any alteration- Alterations in inside plumbing are straightforward, but will take time. I think the most economical way would be to appoint a temporary assistant plumber. With regard to fire appliances, the rolls of hose are hung on pegs inside where they can easily be interfered with, while the pegs supply points of suspension for suicidal patients. The hose should be lapped in position ready for use and secure from interference. I learn from Dr. Gow that the entire staff is interested in the nursing lectures, and that everything is working harmoniously. The statutory books and registers were examined, and were found to be kept neatly and up to date. Seacliff Mental Hospital. 25th November, 1905. —I have just finished my inspection of this Hospital. The male patients number 452, and the females 263 —total 715. I visited one of the patients who is at present a patient in the Dunedin Hospital. Of the rest, 3 males and 2 females I found in bed. The males under special medical treatment are 7, and the women 6. I saw and examined them all. Ten men and 10 women are dirty in their habits. I found no bedsores. Four men and 1 woman had to be put under restraint for necessary reasons since the date of Dr. Hay's visit on the 2nd October. The food, clothing, and bedding are all good. The order and harmony are apparent. I notice, however, a slight want of tidiness both in the upper building and in the auxiliary farm building : both contrast badly with Simla in this respect after all allowance is made for the inferior mental state of the inmates. The chief wants, next to the new buildings for which money can be provided, and which will soon, I hope, be authorised, are the dilapidated appearances which are getting painfully manifest in the male-wards of the main building ; the linoleum is worn out, and a great deal of painting is required. I earnestly hope that no time will be lost in getting this" done. I visited the Waitati extension of the main institution, and pointed out to the officers in charge certain defects which must be remedied. I think the time has come for making preparations for providing a new and much larger airing and exercise ground at the upper building. As a whole this Hospital is vigorously managed, and Dr. King's enterprise and energy have been exemplified anew in his admirable scheme for the attendants' hamlet, which is unique of its kind, and will be in a short time a most valuable adjunct to the institution. The houses will be the men's own property, and the plans show a combination of taste and skill such as I have never seen. 28th February, 1906.—1 visited this Hospital on the 17th and 24th instant. The figures hereafter given refer to the latter date. Since last inspection (three months ago) there has been an increase of five male patients; the number of women remains unaltered after the usual changes of population. At present there are 720 patients (men, 457 ; women, 363). Four men and four women are absent on probation, and one man is undergoing treatment at the Dunedin Hospital (he was there visited). Only two men and two women were confined to bed, and as usual were receiving every care and attention. The number of patients reported as wet or dirty is 19, or a percentage of 264 (males, 10, or 2-18 per cent. ; females, 9, or 3-42 per cent.). The Special Register shows that since last inspection nine patients (all men) have at times for short periods been mechanically restrained. I satisfied myself that there was no undue use of restraint, and that the means employed were in each case the least irksome and best fitted for the purpose. In one instance the cause was unusual, namely, to prevent escape, the means being a partial restriction of the movements of the arms. The patient in question is fleet of foot and agile. It is reported that, breaking away from the attendants, he can easily scale the high picket fence round the park before he can be reached. The necessity for restraint in this case is only very occasional. Besides this patient three other males and one female patient effected their escape, but were replaced before the expiration of the statutory period. All the patients at Seacliff and Waitati were seen, and no rational complaint was made. I was very pleased to observe the evident contentment of the epileptic patients at Waitati. Their periods of excitement are spent at Seacliff (three were temporarily there at this visit), and there is little save the inevitable loss of freedom to disturb the harmony. The ten at Waitati now work well, in fact, are eager for work, look well, and some spontaneously expressed satisfaction at their improved status. I may here mention that there is a lack of means for active work which could be done under cover, and this must have been felt during this wet summer. The Seacliff patients developing the estate (twenty-one) still occupy the main building, while there were five patients in the part of the reception-house known as the " Retreat," one of these, an elderly man, was discharged during the visit. He had been at Waitati from the first, and this circumstance was very gratifying to his wife. The back yard of the main building is being asphalted, and paint and paper are gradually removing the blemishes left by the erstwhile occupants. The " Retreat "is particularly homely, and unsuggestive of an " institution." At Seacliff the painting of the kitchen and dining-hall is satisfactorily completed, and that of the recreation-hall is in progress. It was a most pleasing contrast from the state of these places at my last visit. A fair start has also been made in replacing the worn linoleum in the wards. The new byres above Simla are nearly finished. They are well situated and designed, and economically constructed. New piggeries will probably be the next building-work in connection with the farm. The immediate proximity of the present piggeries to the main cow-byres is a contravention of the Public Health Act. The staff club-rooms are practically completed, and the new billiard-table in the attendants' room is in use. The staff is working well, and there have been no dismissals. The number of patients unemployed owing to physical or mental disability is 264 (men, 158 ; women, 106), the remainder are actively and usefully employed, chiefly out of doors. The Chinese patients, working together under directions, nave formed a characteristic vegetablegarden in the vicinity of Simla. The vegetables are or great variety, and are notably good. About a hundred patients actively participate in amusements, and about the same number attend divine service. The working of this Mental Hospital proceeds smoothly and tells the tale of enlightened direction and loyal co-operation. I regret to learn that Dr. Falconer is severing his connection with the service. The statutory books and registers were up to date and neatly and correctly kept.