9

H.—7

In 1907 the full cost thus reckoned was £43 3s. 9|d., and the net £33 7s. Bfd. The receipts for the maintenance in 1908, calculated on average number resident, were £7 17s. 9|d., against £7 13s. 3d. in 1907. The total expenditure on the farms was £8,655, the produce sold realised £5,770, and the value of produce consumed was £10,996 ; therefore, the net income from the farms was £8,111, a very substantial figure. Hereunder the farming operations at each institution are valued. The results, of necessity, vary according to the area of the estate and quality of the land, and cannot be placed in competition.

With regret I record the death of an old and faithful officer retired from the service, Mr. Hugh Gtribben. Mr. Gribbcn retired from the office of Superintendent of the Mental Hospital at Hokitika, which he had held for upwards of thirty-two years. Later he re-entered the service temporarily to supervise works in connection with the Camp, adapting the estate and buildings to their new purpose. In September last he was obliged to retire on account of ill health; and not long after closed a career which was an honourable record of work well done. I have to thank Drs. Beattie and Hassell for their valuable co-operation in selecting the site for the Central Mental Hospital. The opportunity was taken of Dr. Beattie's presence in Wellington to invite the Medical Superintendents from the South Island to an informal conference in my office. Among matters discussed was the superannuation scheme as it affected the service, the draft of the new regulations, the question of fire prevention and extinction, as well as many details of institution management in which there is scope for individual differences. The free interchange of opinions among men seldom brought together having similar aims and the same object in view was most stimulating. In conclusion, I desire to thank the Deputy Inspectors and Official Visitors for their help, and each worker in the service, who has striven to contribute his or her part in caring for the patients and assisting to make the year's record satisfactory. I have, &c, Frank Hay.

ENTRIES OF VISITS OF INSPECTION TO VARIOUS MENTAL HOSPITALS.

Auckland Mental Hospital. 10th April, 1909. I visited this Mental Hospital on the sth (in company with Miss McLean, Assistant Inspector), 6th, Bth, and to-day. All parts of the institution were inspected, and all the patients seen, special interviews being accorded in a number of cases. These resolved themselves into an investigation of the mental state of the petitioners, and I am satisfied that Dr. Beattie's opinion of their unfitness for discharge is correct. There are on the register to-day 759 patients (male, 465; female, 294), 14 (m., 7; f., 7) of whom are absent on probation, leaving resident 745 (m., 458 ; f., 287), an excess of 14 (m., 11 ; f., 3) on the numbers at the beginning of the year. The institution was in good order, in all parts ; the general health of the patients was good, and they had the aspect of being well cared for. The food inspected was of gool quality. It was evident to me from our conversation on the various cases that Dr. Beattie possessed an intimate knowledge of the history and progress of each, and from the remarks of the patients spoken to it is pleasing to gather that this personal interest and attention has been appreciated. 2—H. 7.

Produce sold for Cash. Produce consumed in Mental Hospital. Total. Auckland Christohurch Dunedin (Seaclifl) Hokitika Nelson Porirua Wellington ... £ s. a. 586 18 3 1,148 19 9 2,438 1 3 44 16 9 93 8 10 1,108 7 4 349 13 0 £ s. a. 1,960 6 7 1,765 11 8 3,676 14 8 510 8 2 780 16 11 1,822 5 2 480 1 7 £ s. d. 2,547 4 11 2,914 11 0 6,114 15 11 555 4 11 874 5 9 2,930 12 6 829 14 7 Total... Total for 1907 ... 5,770 5,641 5 2 2 7 10,996 11,041 4 0 5 4 16,766 16,682 9 7 2 11 Increase in 1908 Decrease in 1908 ... 129 2 7 84 6 8 44 15 11