H.—7

8

During the year our Work Was much hampered by overcrowding. On the female side this has now been removed by the opening of the new auxiliary. The male auxiliary will be completed in a few months ; on its completion a total [reorganization will be effected on both sides, and a very much improved classification, adopted. The drainage scheme, which will ultimately connect, us with the new city drainage, is progressing, and should be completed before the end of next year. Our water-supply is good, but the hot-Water service has long required remodelling. The year has been one of hard work under very trying circumstances. During the latter part of the year nurses and attendants wore more readily available than had been the case for some years. I regret, however, that the old type has apparently died out. Few of the nurses stay long enough to undergo a proper training; and the work for the most part, especially on the female side, has been much below the standard that one should reasonably anticipate. Our reliance has still to be placed upon those who joined us years ago, and who all along have exhibited interest and fidelity. My thanks are due to Dr. Tizard, whose knowledge of the work and whose devotion to it have given me a pleasure that I have for years been denied. Our thanks are also due to the District Inspector and the Official Visitors for their continued interest and support; to the proprietors of the Heraldl; to Mr. A. Macpherson for his control of the religious services ; and to several city bands and bowling clubs for contributing to the amusement and recreation of our patients. Special thanks are also due to Miss Fleming, who for some years has provided us with a weekly cab for patients' use. R. M. Brattik. SUNNYSIDE MENTAL HOSPITAL. At the beginning of 1914 there were 652 patients on the books, of whom 339 were males and 313 females. During the year there Were admitted 89 males and 57 females, and at the end of the year there were remaining 683, an increase of 3f patients for the year. There were 51 deaths, which gives a death-rate of 7-5 on the average number resident. The recovery-rate Was less than usual. There were 50 recoveries—3o males and 20 females — giving a rate of 34-4* on admissions. Following on my remarks of last year about lack of accommodation and the requirements, I am u;lad to be able to record that the nurses' home is well under way, and will be finished during the present year. This will release about fifty single rooms, which it is our intention to use not for the noisy, but for the better-class patients, thus giving the deserving a degree of privacy which I feel sure will be appreciated. Besides this, the Public Works Department have in course of erection a large reception and hospital block on the newly acquired site off Martin's Lane. This building when finished will give us much assistance in classification, and also in modern methods of treatment both of the acute mental cases and also of the, ordinary sick cases which are bound to occur amongst a population such as ours. The plans are prepared for the additions to D Ward, and the building will be gone on with as soon as possible. We are now using the Lake Coleridge electric supply as far as we have wired, and We are still pushing on with the wiring. The whole electric supply is furnishing us with much, food for thought, as in the new building we propose to eliminate other sources of lighting, heating, and power as much as possible. The fire-alarm system is inadequate and untrustworthy, and a new system is urgently required. The general health of the patients has been good, and there have been few incidents of note during the year. The annual picnic, fortnightly dances, concerts, cricket, football, and bowling matches have been greatly appreciated by the patients. Thanks are due to the outsiders who have participated in these, and also to the picture and theatre proprietors for free passes for patients to their entertainments. During most of the year I have been ably assisted by Dr. Lee, who has proved himself loyal and capable, and to him and the staff in general I tender my sincere thanks for their assistance during the year. W. Baxter Gow, M.D. SEACLIFF MENTAL HOSPITAL. In the beginning of the year there were 924 patients and at the close 946. Exclusive of transfers from other institutions, 162 patients were admitted, and 82 were discharged, relieved or recovered — being just over half the number admitted. During the year 22 voluntary patients were under treatment, and 18 voluntaries were discharged. The general health of the patients has been good. There were 57 deaths, being practically 5 per cent, of the total number under treatment. More than half the deaths Were among patients between sixty and ninety years of age. Apart from senile decay, the main cause of death was general paralysis ---viz., 10 cases. There was one case of suicide —a quiet demented patient, who had been trusted on parole for many years, unexpectedly hanging himself —without any apparent cause. Extensive and important improvements in the accommodation for patients and staff have been undertaken during the year, and are nearing completion. These include a new ward to accommodate about 50 women patients, a large cottage annex for about 15 of the more sensitive or curable male patients, bedrooms for 20 nurses, and a large dining-room for the attendants.