35

fl.—7

the year was 754. Of the 138 cases admitted, 118 were first admissions and 20 readmissions. Sixty-nine patients were discharged, relieved, or recovered, being exactly half the number admitted. Fifty patients died during the year, half this number being sixty years of age and upwards, and 12 aged from seventy to ninety. Seven men died from general paralysis, an unusually high percentage of cases of this necessarily fatal disease having reached the term of their existence during the year. The general health and condition of the patients has shown no special features during the past twelve months, except that nine patients died from pneumonia. Some of the older portions of the institution, which were originally intended for only temporary use, but which still have to be occupied, do not afford satisfactory accommodation. Another defect, for which I understand provision will be made in the near future, is the lack of sufficient day-room space, and suitable bedrooms for refractory patients. The principal structural improvement made during the year has been the extension and refitting with machinery of the laundry, which, with further improvements now under way, will provide excellent quarters and sufficient power. The institution at Waitati continues to work satisfactorily, and the epileptics accommodated there, in separate quarters remote from other patients, continue to highly appreciate their altered circumstances. It is desirable to provide more adequate means for pushing on the development of the estate, especially in the way of reclaiming the mud-flat. The small number of patients kept at Waitati, owing to limited accommodation, renders the institution necessarily expensive to work in the meantime. There is nothing special to report during the year in regard to staff-changes, except the retirement of Mr. Frederic Newman, foreman of works, and chief plumber at Seacliff, after nearly twenty years' service. The institution has owed more to the zeal, energy, and high capabilities of Mr. Newman, in his wide sphere of usefulness and responsibility, than it is easy for me tc convey, and I feel that we have sustained a very great loss through his retiring. The thanks of the authorities are due to the Otago Daily Times and Witness Company, to the Evening Star Company, and to Mr. W. J. Prictor for newspapers and journals supplied free. The institution is indebted to representatives of various religious denominations who have given their services during the }'ear. To Dr. Tizard and to the officers and members of the staff I wish to express thanks for hearty co-operation in carrying out the work at Seacliff, and similar thanks are due to Dr. Donald and his staff at Waitati. I have, ore, The Inspector-General of Mental Hospitals, Wellington. F. Truby King.

PORIRUA MENTAL HOSPITAL. Sir, — Mental Hospital, Porirua, 4th June, 1907. I have the honour to submit the following report on the Porirua Mental Hospital for the year 1906. On examining the statistics it will be found that the total number of patients under care was 702. The average number resident was 600—325 males and 275 females. The number of inmates at the beginning of the year was exactly the same as at the close—viz., 596. There would have been an increase had there not been an unusually number sent out on probation, including ten chronic male patients, who were sent to the " Camp " on the Peninsula, near Dunedin, and are still there. Of the 94 admissions, 51 males and 25 females were admitted for the first time, 9 males and 8 females were readmissions, and 1 male patient was transferred from the Auckland Mental Hospital. While 1 patient was discharged not improved, and 4 relieved, 39 were discharged recovered, a proportion of 415 per cent, to the number admitted. The admissions have comprised only a small ratio of favourable cases. This was very marked on the male side, where the number of senile cases was large. Thirty-six patients died, making a death-rate of 6 per cent, on the average number resident. On comparing the statistics with those of the previous year I find that there is practically no difference in the total number of admissions, and that the recovery-rate and the death-rate have declined. There were six fewer recoveries and six fewer deaths. The general health of the inmates of the institution has been remarkably good, no epidemic of any kind having visited us. More than half of the cases of illness and death were of old people. The only serious accident was the suicide of a chronic female patient, concerning which full particulars were supplied you at the time. The most important improvements effected during the year were out-of-doors, and consisted of an extensive addition to the farmsteading, to provide more ample accommodation for the dairy herd. This building, which is in substantial concrete, was constructed by the attendants and patients. Our own staff of outdoor workers also completed the new piggeries, which were commenced by the Public Works Department some time ago. The completion of this work enabled us to demolish the old dilapidated piggeries which disfigured the vegetable-garden, and which were a nuisance on account of their proximity to the auxiliary wards. Good progress was made in the work of replacing the old system of iron hot-water pipes and steam heaters throughout the main building by copper pipes and forced circulation from the boilerhouse. This expensive alteration had become urgently necessary owing to the rapid corrosion of the iron pipes. I have forwarded you accounts showing the amount of produce from the farm, garden, &c, consumed in the institution, as well as the produce, such as the stock, wool-clip, etc., sold, but I left out of account the large quantity of fodder grown for the horse teams, which are almost continually in commission carting coal and other materials from the railway-station. Our returns from the dairy herd were seriously curtailed owing to an unfortunate outbreak of tuberculosis, which necessitated the destruction of eleven cows during the winter.