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I have also to thank the proprietors of the Herald for daily papers, gratefully received ; the Official Visitors for special interest during the year, and Mr. Macpherson for his continued control of our religious services. TOKANUI MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Gribben reports : — On the first day of the year there were on the register 150 male and 101 female, patients— total 251 ; also 1 female voluntary boarder. During the year 1 male and 1 female patient were admitted and 10 male patients were received on transfer ; also 5 male and 2 female voluntary boarders were admitted. Four male and 1 female patients and four voluntary boarders were discharged. Four male and 3 female patients died, thus leaving on the register on the 31st December, 1922, 153 males and 98 females (total 251 patients), and 1 male and 3 female (total 4) voluntary boarders. The average number resident, during the year was 248 patients and 4 voluntary boarders. The seven deaths were due respectively to paraplegia status epilipticus, senile decay, phthisis, valvular heart-disease, and malignant disease of stomach. The general health of the patients has been excellent throughout the year. By way of recreation for patients we, have had regular dances during the winter and a series of concerts throughout the year ; also occasional visits to the picture-theatre at Te Awamutu. Religious services were conducted twice monthly. The new male reception block was completed in December, and as soon as the furnishing and fittings have been installed we will be ready for the, admission of male, cases. Progress in the development of the estate has been satisfactory. Last autumn an area of 400 acres of virgin country was ploughed and laid down to grass, and this season a further 450 acres will be similarly developed. This has been made possible by the labour available, from the Prisons Department, by the aid of which also 170 acres of swedes and 150 acres of oats have been put in. The work of blockmaking at No. 1 camp has been suspended on account of stoppage in the supply of cement. Meantime a reserve of washed river-shingle is being laid in at the block-shed. The watersupply for the main building is still causing grave anxiety, and I would respectfully urge that the installation from Te Awamutu be treated as a matter of immediate urgency. I have to thank Dr. Macpherson, to whose unflagging interest and energy whatever measure of success that may have attended the administration of the institution is largely due. I wish, also to express my gratitude to the staff generally for their combined loyal co-operation. PORIRUA MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Jeffreys reports : — Referring to the statistical tables for 1922, it will be seen that the number of patients under care during the year was 1393 (males, 810 ; females, 583), the average number resident being 1,095 (males, 634 ; females, 461). These numbers do not include the voluntary boarders, of whom there were 55 (18 males, 37 females) under treatment, the average number resident, being 25, bringing the total average up to 1,120, and this in spite of the fact that 80 patients were transferred to other institutions. Exclusive of transfers there were 243 admissions (135 males and 108 females), and of these 210 (124 males and 86 females) were admitted for the first time. Of the 83 patients who were discharged, 77 were recorded as recovered, making the recovery-rate nearly 32 per cent, on the number admitted. The figures are satisfactory considering the large number of senile and incurable cases that were admitted. The death-rate was fairly high, being nearly 11 per cent, on the average number resident; but of the 107 deaths 25 were due to senility, 19 to general paralysis, and 16 to heart-disease. There were 4 deaths from typhoid fever, and 1 accidental death, which has already been fully reported. T regret to have, again to refer to the overcrowding of this institution, for in spite of the comparatively large number of transfers to other institutions during the past three years our numbers are steadily increasing, and sleeping-accommodation is taxed to the utmost. Valuable day-room space is taken up by beds, rooms intended for totally different purposes have been converted into dormitories, and a large number of patients have to sleep on shakedowns. With the steadily increasing population of the North Island it is inevitable that an institution which receives patients from as far'north as New Plymouth on the one side, and Gisborne on the other, should become overtaxed. The necessity of fairly heavy expenditure will shortly have to be faced, for it is not merely the question of building new wards, but, as I reported two years ago, of the reorganization of the whole of the steam plant, which is quite inadequate for even present requirements. The old Cable engine originally built for a sawmill is practically worn out, and could not possibly carry any heavier load than at present, so if new wards are built there will be. no means of lighting them unless new engines and boilers are installed. The male dining-hall in the main building, which is the only recreation-hall for this large institution, is far too small for the purpose, for it was originally intended as the recreationhall for an institution of 600 patients. On picture, nights it is packed to its utmost capacity, and, as it is difficult to ventilate owing to its situation in the centre of the building, it, becomes very close, and is not conducive to the health of the patients ; yet one prefers to risk this rather than deprive these unfortunates of one of the few pleasures in life they have to look forward to. The kitchen also is too small, and generally in a very unsatisfactory state. Owing to lack of room-space, a portion of the main corridor which runs from end to end of the building has been cut off, and for years utilized as a vegetable-room. These are only a few of the most obvious needs, and in justice to the patients themselves and to those of us who are responsible for their welfare, a heavy grant will be necessary to make this institution an up-to-date hospital for the care and treatment of the mentally afflicted ; and the responsibility for these unfortunates is surely not only that, of the Mental Hospitals Department, but of the community as a whole. I have to thank my colleagues, Dr. Prins and Dr. Monaghan, other officers, and the staff for their loyal co-operation in carrying on the work of the institution.