11

H.^7

Fifty-five deaths occurred, which gives a death-rate of 7 per cent, on our average population of 777. The number of admissions was 2 below that of 1921, and the number of deaths was 20 below that year. The ordinary work of the institution went on uninterruptedly, being unmarred by any epidemic. The building of No. 2 Ward extension progressed steadily throughout the year, and is now almost complete. The corresponding enlargement of No. 1 Ward is an equally urgent matter. The addition to the laundry was finished in April, 1921, and lias been instrumental in effecting a saving of £156 in the latter eight months of the year as compared with the same months of 1920. The saving would have been greater had not the outside laundry which, we employ raised its prices from the Ist August about a third, for the articles we still have to send, which are mainly mole clothing. The female reception-block was furnished and put into use in the middle of the year. Though we still prefer to receive the new admissions in the annex ward until their mentality is known, the new reception-ward has proved of the utmost value for classification purposes. On the male side the accommodation often has been severely taxed. The separate building it is proposed to erect for the unmarried attendants will at the same time render the rooms they now use available for patients, and will add greatly to the comfort of the staff. Farm-work for the patients has continued on lines similar to those of previous years. Despite the fall in the value of primary produce, the receipts from cash sales, though lower than last year, were substantial. The excellent butchering arrangements inaugurated by my predecessor in 1917, and judiciously carried into effect by our farm-manager here, resulted in the cost of meat to the institution averaging 3-87 d. per pound for mutton and 3-7 d. per pound for beef. The poultry-farm, which was reorganized some eighteen months ago, has developed well. At the beginning of June, 1920, we had 690 birds, but by the end of December, 1921, the number had risen to 1,262. The estimated value of the products from the poultry-farm, including cash sales, amounted to £567. Steady progress has been made in cleaning, fencing, and cultivating the farm at Templeton. Forty acres there were put down in permanent pasture, and 195 acres on various crops. Making allowance for the dry season experienced, the results were satisfactory. The wheat averaged only 40 bushels per acre, but an exceptionally good yield of turnips was obtained. By concentrating on the production of green feed at Templeton we have been enabled to carry as much stock as we did when we leased the land recently relinquished at Cashmere. It would lessen the cost of farm labour considerably if we had some accommodation at Temploton to house farm-workers from Sunnyside. This building, together with new stables for the home farm and the completion of the drainage system from the cowbyres, are our most urgent requirements for carrying on our farm-work. The religious needs of the institution have been met, as heretofore, by the appreciated and regular visits of the clergy of various denominations. Recreation of the patients also has beeil arranged on the customary lines. Unfortunately, the onset of the financial stringency rendered, it expedient to forego the annual staff ball, attendance at which in the past had grown to rather formidable proportions. Mr. H. D. Acland, who during the year accepted the position of District Inspector at Sunnyside, made several inspections. His practical advice and comments, based on a wide knowledge of affairs, have been most welcome. Miss Oolborne-Veel, our Official Visitor, has been the means of bringing much happiness to the women patients by her visits and kindly ministrations. I sincerely trust her health will enable her to continue the good work she does here. The patients also have much reason to be thankful for the appointment of Mr. D. Souter as Patients' Friend. Ever since he started on his duties here their welfare has been paramount with him, and he has succeeded in doing much to brighten their lives. Personally, 1 have to thank you, sir, for allotting mo so agreeable and capable, a colleague as Dr. C. R. S. Roberts to help with the work of the institution. To him and to Dr. Beale, as well as to the officers and members of the staff individually, I have to express my sincere thanks for the willing co-operation and help given in carrying out the institutional work of the year. SEACLIFF MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dβ. McKillop reports :— At the beginning of the year the number of patients on the register was 1,055 (618 males and 437 females). The admissions during the year were 143 (76 males and 67 females). The total number under care during the year was 1,198 (694 males and 504 females), and on the 31st December 1,062 patients (611 males and 451 females) remained in the institution. Fifty-eight patients were discharged recovered—the recovery-rate being 405 per cent, of the number admitted. During the year 51 voluntary boarders (25 males and 26 females) received treatment; 22 (10 males and 12 females) were discharged recovered ; 4(1 male and 3 females) were committed as ordinary patients, leaving 24 (13 males and 11 females) remaining here. The general health of the patients has been very satisfactory. The deaths during the year were 61 (44 males and 17 females), being less than 6 per cent, of the average number resident; 32 of the deaths, including 13 patients over eighty, were due to senile causes. I am pleased to state that the female annexe at Orokonui Home, Waitati, is nearing completion, and will greatly relieve the congestion on the female side at Seacliff. Similar provision for the male patients is an urgent necessity. A new mess-room for the nurses is in course of erection, and several alterations of minor importance have been carried out in connection with the convalescent cottage and the main building. I trust money will soon b<; available to allow us to make proper provision for cooking, bathing, and laundry-work.