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The numbers on the newly instituted Register of Mental Nurses : Nurses, 2 ; attendants, 12. The staff is working harmoniously. All the patients were seen, and given an opportunity to speak to me. None are improperly detained. The meals were inspected and found to be good, ample, and expeditiously served. The alterations incidental to the rebuilding of the store are a great improvement on the state of things before the fire. The store is better arranged, and a corner of it near the office has been converted into a strongroom. The surrounding corridors have been better lighted ; the one leading to the women's side is being converted into a visiting-room by placing an entrance-porch in its length, by laying linoleum over the stone floor, and appropriately furnishing it with seats, &c. This corridor, together with the front visiting-room (which has not been used as such for some years) and a room presently occupied by two nurses, will make a visiting block for women patients. The necessity for this accommodation has appealed to me by reason of the false impression of the comfort within the wards which visitors must carry away when they see their friends in bare stone corridors. The rooms for the Matron are nearing completion. The central bath-house is well advanced ; it will allow bathing to be carried out expeditiously under complete supervision. The byres are being remodelled. Some good Shorthorn cows have been purchased, and the imported pedigree bull " Carpet Prince," being of a milking-strain, a herd of dairy cattle of this breed as famous as the Sunnyside Ayrshires may reasonably be looked for. I went over the farm, and was satisfied that it was being worked to advantage. The filiing-in of a gully has reclaimed some acres, of farm land, and the paddocks have been rearranged for better rotation. I am satisfied that this institution is being managed well, with due regard to economy, and that the patients are receiving every care and attention. The statutory books are up to date, and are neatly and correctly kept. 9th January, 1909. I visited this Mental Hospital on the 6th, 7th, Bth, and to-day. I saw all the patients—at meals, at work, and at their recreations. None are improperly detained, and there is little to add to my last report. The various works there mentioned as under progress are nearing completion. With Dr. Gow I examined the candidates for registration as mental nurses. As usual, the books and registers were up to date, and the institution in good order. Skacliff Mental Hospital. 19th January, 1909. I visited this institution on the 13th, 14th, 16th, 18th, and to-day. As the statistical returns will be covered by those in the annual report, there is no need to go into details. At this date, there are on the register 763 patients (males, 454 ; females, 309), of whom 17 (males, 12 ; females, 5), are on probation, leaving resident 746 (males, 442 ; females, 304), all of whom were seen, and many conversed with. No one is improperly detained. It was evident to me from my discussion of their cases with Dr. King that the individual is not overlooked in the number. The salient features of the cases into which I inquired were recalled by him without reference to case-books, and it was satisfactory to note that his keen personal and scientific interest in the welfare of the patients was reflected in their care and treatment. Such being the case, it is a benefit to the country, though so far as his own health is concerned is another matter, that he has chosen to employ all his leisure and holiday time, his talent and his special knowledge, in spreading information on the fundamental principles of health. On tne 16th, the patients were employed as follows : — Males. Females. On the farm, garden, and out-of-door work .. .. .. 200 In the wards .. .. .. .. .. 93 94 In the workshops .. .. .. .. .. 20 0 In the kitchen and laundry .. .. .. .... 58 At needlework, and on domestic duties .. .. .... 25 Total employed .. .. .. .. .. 313 177 The patients' recreations have been largely attended. There have been the usual "sports, and games, dances, concerts, Christmas-tree, &c, and parties of patients went to various entertainments in Dunedin and district. The average number attending divine service is 73 (males, 44 ; females, 29). During the course of the visit the candidates for registration as mental nurses were given a viva voce examination. The new female building was just completed, and the additions to the male side were making fair progress. More day-room accommodation is wanted for disturbed male patients and at the farm workers' cottage. The continued creeping of the slip was being felt at the junction of the slipping and nonslipping area, and a section will need to be taken out of the slipping part of the building where it touches the other. The general health of the patients is good, and there was almost complete absence of excitement, by day and night, during the inspection. I saw many meals served ; the food was well cooked and varied. The statutory books and registers were examined, found up to date, and neatly and accurately kept.