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the larger number of women patients soon to be added, there will be a sufficient increase of the staff to practically abandon the court infavour of the exercise enclosure. Such being the case, one of the verandahs of the court, with its cement floor, can at small cost be converted into a sufficiently large bath-room for patients, and a separate one for nurses. The work of removing Toi Toi Valley School is now in hand. This building will provide sleepingaccommodation for over 50 patients. The day-room space which the addition necessitates can be inexpensively provided by a little rearrangement and extension in the vicinity of the drawing-room. The extra day-room for disturbed cases (already sanctioned) should proceed part passu with the other works outlined, instead of being made the subject of a separate contract. In going over the space required I have advised its enlargement and division into two for purposes of classification, and the connection therewith of a sanitary annexe, which can also be reached by patients in the exercise enclosure. All these matters have been discussed with the District Engineer of the Public Works Department, who thinks that they can be done economically and with despatch by the workmen engaged for the removal and re-erection of the school building. Despite the lateness of the season, the garden is looking well, and the farm and orchard continue to be worked to the best advantage. Nearly two hundred cases of fruit and over seventy of tomatoes have been sold, and rather more than a ton of jam, preserves, sauces, and pickles have been made for home consumption. Altogether, 3} tons of tomatoes and 2 tons of onions were grown last year. The land recently added to the estate has been ploughed, and the soil turned over is good. The value of the crops from Poor Man's Valley Farm is over £200.$|These returns are most praiseworthy. I regret that Mr. Chapman is confined house by an accident to his foot. Dr. Mackay accompanied me on my rounds yesterday and to-day. The work of Miss Pringle, the cadette in the office, is well done. The statutory books and registers were up to date, and are neatly and correctly kept. I had many evidences of Dr. Mackay's attention to the wants of the patients, and Mr. Chapman continues to manage this Hospital with energy and enthusiasm. Porirua Mental Hospital. 15th October, 1908. Miss McLean paid a visit of inspection last month. I visited the institution to-day, seeing the patients, and leaving for another occasion a more detailed inspection. The patients had ample opportunity of speaking to me, and some were accorded special interviews. No rational complaint was made. I discussed with Dr. Hassell the principal works to be put in hand. The Farm Manager is now occupying the cottage recently built for him. It is picturesque, and suitable in every way. The statutory books and registers are up to date, and are kept neatly and correctly. The Hospital was scrupulously clean, and everything was in its usual good order. llt.h February, 1909. I visited this Mental Hospital on the 9th and to-day. Since the last recorded, other visits have been paid for specific objects, and many will be paid during the year in connection with building operations. On each of the former visits the part inspected, and on the present visit the whole institution, was found in excellent order. There are on the register 667 patients (m., 357 ; f., 310), of whom 21 men and 11 women are absent on trial, leaving resident 635 (m., 336 ; f., 299). All the resident patients were seen, and given an opportunity to converse with me. I was pleased to observe their general good health and contentment, and the comparative absence of noise. The meals inspected were well served, the food was sufficient, and of good quality. The patients to-day were employed as follows : — Males. Females. Total. Farm and garden .. .. .. .. 137 .. 137 Ward work .. .. .. .. .. 97 77 174 Workshops .. .. .. .. ..12 .. 12 Laundry .. . . .. .. .. 2 25 27 Kitchen .. .. .. .. . . 3 32 35 Needlework .. .. .. .. ..2 38 40 253 172 425 All who are able participate in the usual recreations. The impression made by the visit was most pleasant. The statutory books and registers were examined, found up to date, and neatly and correctly kept. Wellington Mental Hospital. 6th February, 1909. I have paid numerous visits to Mount View for special purposes, on each occasion inspecting some part of the Hospital, and finding it in good order. One cannot view unaffectedly the prospect of closing an institution which has done such excellent work. A hospital on the new site will give larger scope and carry on the best traditions. To-day there are 248 patients (m., 152 ; f., 96) resident, all of whom were seen, and many conversed with. No complaint was made.