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carried out. The enlargement of the female refractory ward, which is dangerously overcrowded : this matter has been agreed to long since, hut not acted upon. The enclosure of the estate with a proper fence. The additional land, purchased from the Church-property Trustees, subject to the provisions of an existing lease, will not be required for asylum purposes until the expiration of the said lease. Any money spent in purchasing the lease would be wasted. When the property falls in, the public road through the asylum estate should be diverted without delay. I visited this asylum on the sth January, and Ist, 2nd, and 4th February, 1886, leaving the following remarks in the Inspector's book : — 4th February, 1886.—0n the sth January last, I paid a visit to the Bunnyside Asylum. My regular inspection was completed on the Ist, 2nd, and 4th February. I have seen all the books, orders, and certificates, as required by " The Lunatics Act, 1882," and find them well kept, and in legal form. Some patients' letters, detained from the post, I have directed to be destroyed as unfit for transmission. There are to-day 324 patients on the register, viz., 207 males and 117 females. Of these, 1 person of either sex is detained under the habitual drunkards clauses of the statute. With the exception of 1 man and 1 woman, absent on probation, I have seen them all and find them properly detained. Eegarding one or two special cases I have entered some remarks in the patients'. book. No one was in restraint or seclusion during either of my visits. On the male side there was neither noise nor excitement of any kind, and I had the opportunity of seeing the usual " parade " and drill gone through in a very orderly and satisfactory manner. In the female refractory ward' and adjoining airing-court some of the women were, upon one of my visits, noisy and demonstrative.. This, with the limited space at their disposal, I regard as unavoidable. The ward is greatly overcrowded, and has a cheerless appearance, which the alterations, long since sanctioned but not carried out, would entirely remedy. The whole asylum is now more than full; in fact there are a few beds made up in day-rooms and corridors. Additional single-rooms are urgently wanted, and if not provided, some untoward occurrence must be expected. I have repeatedly drawn attention to this want. There is no illness of any kind prevalent, 3 women and 1 man being in bed from ordinarycauses not requiring mention here. The patients' clothing I found suitable to their wants and habits, and both neat and clean. Scrupulous cleanliness prevails in every part of the buildings. The stores show their usual good order, and the kitchen is beautifully kept. The supplies are of good quality, the bread and butter being excellent. The old wards, long since condemned as unfit for habitation, are now disused. Some portions should be demolished, while others might, at comparatively small cost, be converted into an auxiliary asylum for working male patients and others of quiet habits. Since my last report, water-closets have been introduced or brought into use throughout the asylum. A block of new ones has been erected for the use of the occupants of the female wards, and two, out of doors, for the airing-court, &c. This must be looked upon as a vast improvement, both from the convenience and improved sanitary condition afforded by the system. Unfortunately, however, the supply of water is very defective, and the inadequate pumping arrangements have now entirely broken down. The Public Works Department are making temporary arrangements in the matter; but it is to be hoped that a permanent well will be sunk and an engine erected upon the spot set apart for that purpose on the ground plan of the central block. The Minister for Public Works is now giving this matter his attention. The fences forming the boundaries of the asylum estate are in a very dilapidated state. Their appearance is not creditable, and they permit of escapes taking place with great ease. I recommend that the portion forming the frontage to the high road be taken in hand at once, and a substantial barrier erected. The patients' amusements have been well provided for of late. An omnibus was purchased, principally from the profits of a dramatic performance by the asylum staff, and small picnics now take place three times in each week. No less than 106 of the male patients have joined in excursions to New Brighton and Lansdowne, and the women are now commencing to enjoy the same privileges. Two of the horses used are kindly lent by Dr. Hacon. It is satisfactory to find that few changes have occurred in the staff of attendants. The increased scale of wages given to the men has largely conduced to this result. I have a very good opinion of the staff generally. They, one and all, appear to take much interest in their work. Regarding Dr. Hacon, I have only to repeat what I have often said in other words, that he has brought the asylum into a high state of efficiency, and uses every effort to maintain its high standard of excellence. Seacliff. The number of patients on the Ist January, 1885, was 362, 233 males and 129 females. During the year 102 males and 43 females were admitted for the first time, and 9 males and 15 females readmitted. The total number treated was 531 —344 males and 187 females. Of these there have been discharged as " recovered " 31 males and 21 females ; as " relieved " or " not improved " 1 male and 1 female; 20 males and 7 females died; leaving a total at the end of the year of 450, viz. i 292 males and 158 females.