9

H.—7

Twenty-seven persons came in as voluntary boarders, of whom five sought admission for the second time. The number of cases remanded for observation by the Magistrates was seventeen. The average number resident during the year was 784, there being 171 more females than males. As is usual, the prominent causative factors of the insane states of those admitted were heredity, previous attacks, and senility. The recovery-rate on those admitted was 31-62. We were visited during the year by a Spiritual Healing Mission, for which many of the patients were prepared, but, unfortunately, its curative results were negative and did not influence our discharge-rate. The most frequent causes of death were senile decay, epilepsy, and general paralysis of the insane—that hitherto progressively fatal disease which at last, happily, shows promise of becoming amenable to treatment. The general health of the community was satisfactory, though a troublesome skin-affection appeared among some of the patients during the winter and spring months. This caused a good deal of inconvenience and expense. The building extensions on the female side have been completed. The increased accommodation is now in use and is greatly appreciated. Additional accommodation is still required in the female infirmary ward, but I recognize that our artisan staff will be fully occupied this year with the buildings already authorized. The furnishings throughout the institution, especially carpets, are showing the effects of constant use and are in much need of replenishment. A little has been done in this direction, but much more will be necessary this year to bring the institution up to the standard of a well-appointed mental hospital. The social life of the institution has been continued on lines that have hitherto been acceptable to the patients. Our thanks are greatly due to the visiting chaplains for their regular religious ministrations. I am grateful for the appointment of Mrs. Williams as Official Visitor in the place of the late Miss Colborne-Veel, anil also for that of Mr. H. H. Hanna in a similar capacity. The year brought with it the retirement on superannuation of our head gardener, Mr. Henry Brown, after twenty-five years of good and faithful service to the institution. I am glad again to take this opportunity of expressing my thanks to Drs. Beale and Roberts, and to the officers and members of the staff, for the great help they have given in carrying on the work of the Mental Hospital. SEACLIFF MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. MoKillop reports :—- On the Ist January there were 1,101 patients on the register. During the year we had 151 admissions (83 men and 68 women). Eighty-nine patients were discharged, and 15 transferred to other institutions. The total number of committed cases under care was 1,252, and 1,100 patients remained on the 3lst December. Thirty-seven voluntary boarders received treatment —8 males and 2 females were discharged recovered, 1 female was committed, and I died, leaving 15 men and 10 women under this section. Of the 89 discharged cases, 61 were recovered, making the male recovery 44 per cent, on the number admitted. The figures must be regarded as satisfactory considering that almost one-third of the admissions suffered from mental trouble, for over twelve months prior to committal. The general health of the patients has been very satisfactory. There were 52 deaths (29 males and 23 females), 4-7 per cent, of the, number resident. It is worthy to note that 27 of the deaths were of patients over 70 years of age. The Mental Hospital buildings and property have been maintained in good order by the artisan staff, who have also been engaged in the execution of various new undertakings for the provision of additional accommodation and improvement in administration. During 1924 I trust it will be, possible to obtain grants for works of greater magnitude. The Public Works Department have, at present under consideration plans of proposed now kitchen, bakery, stores, laundry, and farm, buildings. The present kitchen, bakery, and laundry facilities are totally inadequate for an institution of this size, and the farm buildings are in an unsatisfactory and dangerous condition. Work on the farm and garden continues, as in previous years, to provide a large number of male patients with suitable employment, which is performed by them with interest and benefit to themselves and with advantage to the institution. The farm returns have again been satisfactory. The patients' recreation has been arranged on the usual lines ; the weekly picture-show is always very much appreciated. Mr. Gallaway continues to take a keen interest in this hospital, and pays regular visits. The institution is indeed fortunate in having a Deputy Inspector who takes such a live interest in its affairs. To the Official Visitors (Miss Monson and Mr. Slater), Mr. dimming (the Patients' Friend), and to the clergy of all denominations I tender my sincere thanks for their regular visits and for their attention to our inmates. Dr. Church left us to go into private practice on the WesfJ Coast, and was succeeded by Dr. Williams. I desire to record my thanks to Drs. Lee, Roberts, Church, and Williams for the help they have always afforded mo in the medical and general work of the institution. I have also to thank Mr. Hughes and office staff, the Matron, Head Attendant, and other heads of departments for their loyal and efficient assistance, and the staff as a whole for the satisfactory manner in which its work has been performed.

2—H. 7.