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at the beginning of the War, loyally set aside his personal desires in this matter until he could be more easily spared, and I cannot allow the genuine good Work he has done to pass without a word of commendation. The reports of Mr. Smail, who is a daily visitor, are very encouraging. Miss O'Flynn, the Sub-Matron, returned to the Old Country to offer her services to the Red Cross. The installation of electric light has added to the general, cheerfulness of the Wards. Seacliff.—i- Visited in March, April, July, August, November, 1914, and in March and June, 1915. Considerable building operations are being carried out by our own staff, assisted by temporary employees. Fifty women patients are at Waitati; but as it will be more expedient and economical •to group all the women patients at Seacliff for some years to come, they will be retransf erred in due course. A felt want is a unit for " criminal " patients, though persons of this class needing segregation from others are very few. In practice one finds that the majority of patients committed under Part IV of the Act are among the better-conducted; there are a few noteworthy exceptions, and these are a source of great anxiety and cost. On the other hand, there are some cases, chiefly epileptics and paranoiacs, just as dangerous as the special cases alluded to, but differing technically in classification merely because they Were placed under supervision in time. The Camp was purchased to accommodate both classes, but in deference to the objections raised in the district it was and is used as an overflow establishment for well-conducted patients. We should now build a secure place at Waitati. to take the more dangerous not alone from Seacliff, but, as far as practicable, from other institutions, Dr. Buchanan, the Senior Assistant Medical. Officer, left with the Expeditionary Force and Was succeeded by Dr. Gray. Hokitika. Visited in March, July, September, 1914, and in June, 1915. Nothing calling for particular comment. Since the Corporation abattoirs have been opened We have bought our own cattle, and the once indifferent meat -supply is now good. Nelson. - Visited in March, November, December, 1914, and April this year. The scheme for gradual rebuilding foreshadowed last year has been put in hand, temporary building being in progress to house those displaced as each section of the old building is pulled down. The site for the reception hospital has been prepared sufficiently far from the main building and the public road to ensure privacy. I mentioned in my -last report that Dr. and Mrs. Howard had taken over the management of the Richmond Home, and am pleased to add there was no break in the continuity of the kindly parental care of the boys. I regret to report that Dr. Howard died recently; but the home continues in the capable hands of Mrs. Howard, Dr. Jeffreys acting as Visiting Medical Officer. Porirua.- Visited in January, March, May, August, December, 1914, and in February and April this year ; moreover, owing to Dr. McKillop, the senior assistant, having left with the Expeditionary Force, and the general, difficulty in getting medical officers, Dr. Gribben, the Deputy InspectorGeneral, has recently been doing relief duty. The buildings in progress now will give accommodation for 100, and a number of patients will be transferred soon to Tokanui. The additional day-rooms are a great boon. Tokanui;— Visited in February, April, May, September, December, 19.14, and in January and May, 1915. The neat cottages of the married staff and the grassed undulations give the approach, quite a settled appearance. Further metalling of the Te Mawhai Road is urgently needed ; a lot of good Work has been done, but. to obtain its benefit it needs completing. Steam is now being led into the main kitchen, and the temporary kitchen Will soon be abandoned. The bakehouse is in use. The drought last season was severely felt; and the progress on the farm, though on the whole satisfactory, Was somewhat checked by the serious illness of Mr. Alexander, the Farm-manager, of whose whole-hearted energy and devotion in the service of the Department, when health permitted it, I cannot speak too highly. Ashburn Hall. —Visited in March, April, July, August, 1914, and March, and June, 1915. On each occasion this licensed institution was in excellent order. ♦ Conclusion. In concluding the report on the work of another year, T have to thank you for the substantial building programme authorized, which is now well on the way, and for your support in all matters for the betterment of the institutions and patients. I have also to express my indebtedness to the Superintendents and staffs of the hospitals and the Head Office staff for a record of work'well done. The duties have been particularly arduous for the senior officers owing to the number of their colleagues who have gone to the front, and there has been no complaint. I would [have been surprised had there"!!becn complaint 1 under theT'circumstanees; nevertheless, the fact that there was not is'gratifying. Frank Hay.

MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS' REPORTS. . pf p _ fj| AUCKLAND' MENTAL HOSPITAL. We had 223 admissions during 1914, of whom 1.34 were male and 89 female. The number discharged, and died was 196. leaving a total residue of 923, of whom 60-78 per cent, were male and 39-2 were female. The recovery-rate was above the average—s2-9 per cent, of males and 44-9 per cent, of females. The death-rate Was 8-8 per cent. The number of deaths was 80, and of these 16 were due to general paralysis, 1.2 to phthisis, and 12 to senile decay. For the first time for some years no deaths were due to typhoid fever. The chief causes of the insanity Were heredity, alcohol, senility, and syphilis.