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in action and is proving an incalculable boon. Owing to their small proportion here, single rooms cannot be spared for well-conducted patients, the majority of whom are naturally m the succursal buildings. To-day only one room on each side is reserved for such patients, and one of these refuses a bedstead. The remaining rooms have no abiding tenant; but from time to time, and at any time, the disturbing element in the associated dormitory has to change places with a patient not so disturbing who happens"to be in a single room. As the rooms- are never empty, and are occupied chiefly by the noisy and suicidal, the question of tasteful furnishing becomes a problem. The septic-tank effluent is now taken in pipes to filtration-beds situate at the bottom of the garden near the stream. It is no longer used for irrigation. The books and registers were examined and were found to be neatly and correctly kept. 6th April, 1906.—The object of this visit was to have a conference with Dr. Gnbben on the spot, and discuss future'proceedings with him. The institution was handed over by Dr. Hassell in the best possible order. The new filter promises to be a great success in dealing with the sewage. Dr. Jeffries has been appointed to act as Assistant Medical Officer. 17th July, 190R.—To-day I made an inspection of this Mental Hospital and found everything in good order. I saw all the' patients—lo males and 5 females—who weie confined to bed. I examined the dinner and was present to see it served. It was most excellent in quality, and abundant. The male patients number 331 and female 269. The patients are all suitably clad and well looked after. Eleven men and five women are out on trial. None were under restraint since last inspection. Three females were discharged within the same period. One woman died. No changes in the staff. Most of the day I have been engaged in holding an inquiry as to certain charges of insubordination against a charge nurse. 1 notice thai in-front of No. 1 male-ward the asphalt is very broken and unequal. It ought to be broken up and laid down afresh. It has been in this state for a long time, and nothing has been done. Wellington Mental Hospital. Bth May, 1906.—1 have found this Hospital to-day in thorough good order in all its departments. Three males and 3 females I found receiving every care and attention in bed. The total number of patients is 237—males 146, females 91. No new works have been undertaken, but a great deal has been done in painting and renovating the wards and offices. The day-room in D ward, the nurses' messroom, the day-room in E ward, the bath-rooms in D and E have been repainted and altered. On the male side, the day-room and seven single rooms have been repainted. The boiler-front sank considerably, and is now being made secure by the Public Works Department. A good spirit pervades the staff. The statutory books are in order. I have entire confidence in Dr. Crosby's ability, both as physician and administrator. 11th July, 1906.—1 -visited every part of this Hospital to-day, and found everything in order. Three men and two women are confined to bed, and are receiving careful treatment. One general paralytic is in such a state that it is almost impossible to prevent bedsores, notwithstanding that the utmost care is taken. In this disease this is a common phase : the nerve-supply is so destroyed that the vitality of the parts is so enfeebled as to cause the flesh to almost fall off the bones. There are 124 males working in the open air to-day. Sixty-one women are occupied in the wards, laundry, &c, Seventeen males and 24 females are incapable of attending to themselves. There is nobody under restraint The total number of males is 156 and females 99. Three males and four females are out on trial. I saw all the recent and hopeful cas;s with Dr. Crosby. Dr. Brett, formerly of Sjaclifi, has been transferred to Mount View as assistant to Dr. Crosby. The books are all in order. Ashburn Hall Licensed Mental Hospital. 22nd November, 1905.—1 find this private mental hospital in thoroughly good working-order. I saw every patient and discussed their condition and treatment with Dr. Alexander, whose knowledge and care are alike admirable. The matron is kind and competent. The lodging, feeding, and treatment are good. The buildings are suitable, and the place as a whole is beautiful and well adapted for its purpose. The existence, under such medical and administrative management, of such a place meets a great public want, and it thoroughly deserves the confidence of the public. The number of inmates is 54, being 20 males and 26 females ; 2 are voluntary patients, male, and 6 women are voluntaries.

MEDICAL SUPEEINTENDENTS' REPORTS. AUCKLAND MENTAL HOSPITAL. Sir — I have the honour to forward my report for 1905. For the first, almost, seven and a half months of the year the Hospital was in charge of Dr. Barraclough during my absence from the colony. I resumed control on the Bth August. There has been a fair increase in our population during the year, the number of patients remaining on the 31st December being 632. The number of admissions was 200, including 40 patients transferred from Wellington. Even excluding the 40 transfers, the number of admissions was the largest recorded. The number of deaths, 64—equal to a death-rate, calculated on the average number resident, of 10-72 per cent.—is also, I think, the highest recorded. Nine deaths were due to senile decay, 6 to general paralysis, and 10 to tuberculosis in one or other of its forms. In the early part of the year a mild epidemic of typhoid fever occurred, with 2 deaths. As this occurred during my absence lam uot in a position to assign a cause