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will help to account for the lower proportion ol women classed as dangerous—namely, 19, against 30 men. The number of patients requiring assistance to wash and dress is 138 (m., 39; f., 99;. A large proportion of the patients are usefully employed, and I 75 men work on the farm or in the garden. As many as 70 men and 2 women can be trusted on parole within the grounds, and 18 men ai e allowed beyond the grounds. These cases arc well considered when parole is granted and during it continuance, and manifestly this well considered liberty makes for their contentment. The proportion of patients for whom there is a hope of recovery is large—l3o (m., 61; f., 69) are being treated with expectancy of success, not including a huge number in whom treatment is being persevered in in the hope that recovery may ultimately take place. 9th June, 1911. 1 went to this Hospital to-day with Mr. Goudie, the Chief Forester for the North Island, ami with Dr. Hassell we walked over the watershed and arranged for its gradual planting. The catch ment area for the north branch of the stream is bare, while that for the south branch is well wooded, and Dr. Hassell has noted of late years that the volume of the north stream lias diminished -that, in fact, during the late dry season the How of water in the south branch was about three limes more than in the north, though originally this branch was the larger. When first tin eer vices of Mr. Goudie were requisitioned, Dr. Hassell and I had been over much the same ground as to-day, in the belief that the epidemic of enteric fever may have originated in the water-supply. There had been a heavy flood on the 25th February, and as the first case of enteric (soon followed by others from different wards) occurred early in March, it was naturally supposed that the events were related. The watershed is a considerable distance from the Hospital, and it was possible that among persons shooting over the hills, or other trespassers, there may have been some suffering from the disease, or a "carrier," and that the flood had washed contamination in to the water-supply directly oi- had stirred up slime in which bacilli may have been growing. This furnished an additional good reason for thickly planting the watershed as a practicable method ol' reducing trespassing. However, this cause ol' the outbreak had to be eel aside upon the water being carefully analysed and after further investigation. The reservoir was nevertheless cleaned, and the planting is to be proceeded with. I take this opportunity of thanking Mr. Kensington for arranging Mr. Goudie's visit, and Mr. Goudie for his valuable advice. The epidemic, if not actually ended, shows signs of abating. It has been an anxious time for Dr. Hassell. He, Dr. Jeffreys, and, when the epidemic was at its height, Dr. Robertson, and the members of the nursing staff on special duty have been unremitting in their care of the sick. Our thanks are due to the Public Health Department for their investigations into the outbreak. Of late years the whole drainage system has been overhauled; nevertheless, it was reassuring to know that there was no defect of sanitation in or about the institution to which the trouble could be ascribed. The possibility of the milk-supply being infected has been negatived. Investigations as to the presence of h carrier are proceeding. The rooms set apart for the sick make splendid isolation wards, being spacious, sunny, well ventilated, with two single rooms and sanitary block attached. The nursing-charts continue to be kept with great neatness and accuracy At my last visit I remember thinking that they had been copied from rough originals, and was gratified to find I was mistaken. Until one analyses the condition ol' the patients attacked, there appears to have been a heavy mortality. There have been nine deaths —among the male patients seven, among the females two. Seven of the cases had serious complications. Four were epileptics, and one of these actually died in the status, and three were general paralytics, in one instance further complicated with double pneumonia. Two of the staff have been attacked, Attendant Walsh in the middle of April, and Attendant ('ran. one of the nurses in the isolation ward, on the 10th of last month. I have to express my deep satisfaction that the test of strain has made no impression on the uninterruptedly smooth working of the institution.

AKHRFRN HAM. LICENSED MENTAL HOSPTTAF,. 14th January, 1911. I inspected this Hospital to-daA in company with Dr. Ronaldson, of the fladdington District Asylum, Scotland, who, travelling through the Dominion, expressed a desire to visit the institution. He took occasion to express his gratification to find at the Antipodes an institution so home-like, comfortable, and complete. The number of patients resident is 42 (m., 23; f., 19). There are also 7 voluntary boarders. One patient is absent on trial. All the inmates were conversed with, and no complaints were made. All looked well, and were neatly and suitably clad. The food inspected was of good quality, and, to patients at all able to appreciate niceties, was served as in a well-appointed private house. The male staff is accommodated in a cottage near the main institution, and the Mitchell Wing is now managed entirely by nurses. Dr. William Brown, late of Dunedin, has been added to the proprietors. I have learned from him that it is not his intention to in any way interfere with the liberal policy under which the Hospital lias been managed. To the devotion of Mrs. Milne as Matron, and to the skill and judgment of Dr. Alexander as Medical Superintendent, the continued and deserved success of the Hospital is a tribute. The statutory books were up to date, and are neatly and correctly kept. «