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MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORTS. AUCKLAND MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Buchanan reports : — I have tie honour to present to you my annual report for the year ended 31st December, 1929. The total number of cases under care during the year has been 1,430, with a weekly average of 1,178. There have been 216 admissions—ll7 males and 99 females. Of this number 174 were admitted for the first time. Sixty-six voluntary boarders were admitted during the year, making a total of 133 under care, and of these 60 were discharged. At the end of the year 74 patients were on probation, 32 on full parole, and 209 on limited parole. The general health of the Institution has been good. The attendance at the Psychiatric Clinic at the Auckland Public Hospital is growing in numbers. At the end of the year it had reached the number of 493. It is gratifying to feel that this clinic is filling a public want, and that the public are showing confidence in its activities. There have been some important changes made during the year. A part of M. 6 has been turned into a hospital ward wherein are gathered the sick from the whole male side of the Institution. It also serves as a half-way ward between M. 9 (Admission Block) and the main building. It is conveniently placed for this object, and by reason of a few alterations has been rendered attractive and self-contained. What was once the head attendant's cottage is now a full-parole villa, which houses nine chronic working-patients. These patients require no more than nominal supervision. They are encouraged to be self-reliant in all their domestic arrangements, and they have responded well to the trust shown in them. A small park has been made by levelling off the mound of clay outside F. 8 Ward. The old ladies there now have a convenient place in which they may enjoy the open air. As an experiment, four swings were erected in the Female Befractory airing-court. These have proved their worth over and over again. They are continually in use, and many of those patients who formerly spent their time destroying their clothing and getting into mischief now expend their energies in healthy vigorous exercise. More swings will be constructed in the coming year. The dormitory in F. 7 has been made a constant observation dormitory. This ensures proper and economic supervision for those cases which just miss being suitable for the Wolfe Home. A violet-ray room has been fitted out in the Wolfe Home, and is in regular use. The results from this treatment are most encouraging. The kitchen alterations are now complete. The boilers are in their new positions, which facilitates the serving-up of food. In November, 1929, twenty of our patients, temporarily transferred to Kingseat, went into an open-air summer camp there. These men have worked well in pioneer work affecting the lay-out of the future Mental Hospital. They have so much enjoyed the change —in spite of adverse weather — that they express reluctance to returning to Auckland at the end of the season. Regular visits have been paid by the Official Visitors. It was with great regret that we learned of the death of the Bev. Mr. Budd, who had visited this Hospital for twenty-five years. His visitations are missed by staff and patients alike. The patients' entertainments have been well catered for throughout the year. The annual picnic took place in February at Henderson, and was thoroughly appreciated. Mr. Smith showed us his usual consideration and courtesy in giving us freedom of his grounds for this event. The Christmas-tree entertainment was voted a great success by the patients. This was largely due, on the one hand to the generous help afforded by the Optimists' Club, and on the other hand to the many attentions and kindnesses rendered voluntarily by the nurses and attendants towards their charges. In conclusion, I would like to record my thanks to my colleagues and the entire staff for their loyal work and help during the time I have been privileged to be in charge of the Institution. TOKANUI MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Pbins reports I have the honour to submit my report for the year ending 31st December, 1929. The total number of cases under care has been 488, with a weekly average of 408. The admissions were 90 (males 56, females 34) ; of these, 37 males and 25 females were admitted for the first time. The general health of the Hospital has been good, except for an outbreak of influenza. The deaths have been 17 (11 males, 6 females), senile decay being the principal cause. Twentyfour patients were discharged, 18 of them being recovered. There were 24 voluntary boarders under treatment during the year, 8 of them new admissions, and 7 were discharged.