G—No. 27a,

6

REPORT ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS OP THE COLONY.

inspection of an officer of the Colony. The reasoning that could make out that a telegraph line to such an institution—whose sole raison d'etre arises out of a great public necessity—can have anything about it in the nature of a " private line," is only worthy of a " Circumlocution " office. The Provincial Governments are branches of the Government of the Colony. I have learnt to-day from the Provincial Secretary that the local Government will be prepared to guarantee the cost of this telegraph line above the £80 voted for it in the last Session of the Provincial Council. I have, &c., The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, J. W. Hamilton, Wellington. Inspector, Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum.