11

H.-7

As usual, too, the majority of males admitted were labourers, and the majority of women those engaged in domestic duties. Forty-five labourers and 20 farmers were admitted. The farmers were for the most part those engaged in farm labour; a few were small farmers whose strenuous, unfinancial life had ended in disaster. Of those admitted, 788 per cent, were between twenty and sixty years of age, whilst 18 were over seventy years. The recovery-rate was about the average, 43"!) pur cent.; but the male recoveiT-rate was small, 3T37 per cent., as against 64"5 l per cent, for females. The death-rate was 9'ol per cent. —Males, 936 per cent.; females, 847 per cent. Of the deaths, 19 males and 4 females were due to senile decay, 1 female to suicide, and 4 males and 3 females to typhoid fever. As the new drainage scheme is now in progress I am hopeful that the typhoid outbreaks which we have had for the last few years will be totally suppressed after 1914. In view, however, of the known methods of dissemination it is perhaps not wise tv be too sanguine. The disease is so insidious in its onset and can be so readily introduced by the staff, or even by visitors, that the infectious germs may become widely distributed before any accurate diagnosis can be made or the disease be even suspected. The general work of the institution has progressed fairly steadily, although I am bound to admit that the general efficiency of the staff has been gradually lowered during the last five or six years. There are always some members of the staff who are capable and thorough and worthy of every encouragement, otherwise progress would be practically impossible. It is pleasing to report that during the coming year the overcrowding will be a thing of the past, at least on the female side. As the progress of the Auckland Province is rapid, and the increase in our admissions also rapid. I would urge upon the Department the necessity for making further provision to meet this increase. Considering the overcrowding, the general health of the patients during the year has been wonderfully good. I am pleased that the -Matron has been granted six months' leave of absence. After fifteen strenuous years, during which she has performed her duties with a rare loyalty and devotion, the holiday is thoroughly deserved. The work of the farm and the supervision of all work in progress has been most capably performed by the Farm Manager. Our thanks are due to the Deputy Inspector and Official Visitors for their general interest in the Hospital, and my personal thanks for the help they have extended to me from time to time. We have also to thank Miss Fleming for the use of a cab once weekly for the patients' benefit. This has been granted now for over three years, and it affords to the patients the greatest possible pleasure. We have also to convey our thanks to the I/era!// for papers supplied daily for the patients' use, and the various city bands for their frequent entertainments, and to Mr Macpherson for controlling the religious services. I have, &c, The Inspector-General, Mental Hospitals, Wellington. R. M. Beattie.

SUNNYSIDE MENTAL HOSPITAL. Sir,— I have the honour to submit my annual report, with the statistics, for the year ending 31st December, 1913. At the beginning of the year there were 717 patients, which was an increase of 28 over the previous year, but at the end of the year the number was reduced to 652. This reduction was due to the transfer of 50 patients to Hokitika and 10 to Tokanui, and afforded much-needed relief. The average number resident during the year was 685"06. There were 63 deaths during the year, which gives a rate of 9*l, calculated on the average number resident. Thirty-four of the deaths were in patients upwards of sixty years of age, and 25 of these were over seventy. There were 118 rjatients admitted for the first time, which is a decrease of 12 as compared with the previous year. There was also a decrease in readmissions. which gives a total decrease on the previous year of 24. There were 71 recoveries during the year, which gives a recovery-rate, calculated on the admissions, of almost 49 per cent. As I mentioned above, the transfer of patients to other institutions has given us temporary relief, but further building is necessary. On the male side I recommend that an addition should be made to D ward of a hospital annexe, with single rooms, which could be used for admissions and sick cases until the new reception and hospital wards are built. Afterwards this could be used for the old and decrepit who are not really hospital patients, but linger out their days alternating between an arm-chair and their beds. The fire which occurred on the female side lias cramped the accommodation there, but a temporary dormitory for 46 beds is now in use, and will tide us over until we get the nurses' home built. The site and furniture for this building is being goi ready so that there will be no delay. This building has been much needed, and will have beneficial effects in many ways. It will release about 40 single rooms for the purpose for which they were built—namely, for patients —and it should oonduce to a more contented female staff, who will have comfort and quietness to retire to after the strain of their arduous duties. As regards the fire, I am glad thai the decision lias been come to that all the patients shall be brought down out of the attic dormitories. In spite of all efforts there is always the fire risk,