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sufficiently evident from my former reports. It is no light praise to Mr. and Mrs. White, who have recently been appointed, to say that they give every promise of becoming worthy successors to their predecessors in office. The condition of the asylum is maintained at its old standard of excellence. Wellington. On the Ist January, 1885, there were here 196 patients—l 23 males and 73 females. During the year 37 males and 23 females were admitted for the first time, and 2 males and 3 females readmitted. The total number under treatment was 261 —namely, 162 males and 99 females; 11 males and 11 females were discharged as "recovered," and 34 males and 1 female as " relieved "or " not improved •" 16 males and 6 females died. The numbers remaining on the 31st December, 1885, were 101 males and 81 females : total, 182. The requirements of this asylum are additional accommodation for 20 female lunatics; the reconstruction of the back airing-court on the male side, with the erection of one or two rooms for the use of the night attendant and others. A branch establishment at Porirua could be readily worked, and with much advantage and economy. The asylum was visited by me on the 18th May, 3rd and 15th June, 22nd and 31st July, 21st August, 10th September, 24th November, 1885; and again on 12th and 13th February, 1886. The following entries were made by me in the Inspector's book : — 13th February, 1886.—1 visited the Mount View Asylum yesterday afternoon, and completed my inspection to-day. There are now 182 patients on the register—namely, 102 males and 80 females, all of whom I have seen, with the exception of two men absent on trial. On comparing these numbers with those of a year ago, it will be seen that a diminution of 15 has occurred in the total resident. This is chiefly to be accounted for by a high death-rate ; but it is satisfactory to know that all the deaths were from ordinary causes, none being due to accidents or preventible diseases. The sanitary state of the establishment is remarkably good, and has long been so. There are very few patients under medical treatment, and I saw only two men and one woman in bed. No restraint appears to have been necessary for some time past, and seclusion has been confined to a very few individuals. One female, admitted in December last, has needed this form of treatment almost constantly since her admission, and would injure herself or others if permitted to be out of her room. The patients, as a whole, enjoy a considerable amount of liberty, and their comfort is studied in every way. They are very well clothed, kept scrupulously clean, and are very liberally provided for in the matter of food. The dietary is varied, the supplies of excellent quality, and the cooking well done. The proportion of the usefully-employed continues lar^e —156 of both sexes are profitably engaged in some kind of work. The laundry, where the whole of the washing is performed for the hospital as well as the asylum, gives occupation to a number of the females, and the large new work-room (formerly in the occupation of the Matron) accommodates a number of needle-workers. The males are largely engaged in out-door labour, and with profitable results. Excellent crops of beet, swedes, and garden vegetables are now to be seen; but the potato yield is very unsatisfactory on account of the protracted drought. The farm stock now comprises 31 cows and calves, 2 bulls, and 69 pigs. About twenty head of cattle are grazing on the Porirua estate, by agreement made with the lessee, but without any cost to the asylum. It has not been necessary of late to purchase any milk. The work of levelling and reclaiming hitherto useless portions of the estate has made good progress since my last report. The flower-gardens serving for airing-courts are very attractive-looking and neatly kept. A most admirable court has been formed by extending one of the miserable yards at the back, formerly paved with bricks. This has now been asphalted, large flower-beds formed and planted, their borders being in ornamental stucco-work. A central fountain, with a basin for gold-fish, forms a very ornamental feature. This has all been executed by home labour. A covered way, enclosed with glass sashes, has been made of the verandah forming the approach from the female division to the kitchen. The benefit in wet south-easterly weather is very groat. A large greenhouse is in course of erection in front of the new female wing, which will serve also as a muchneoded " break-wind "to the garden behind a portion of it. The ceilings of several largo dormitories and day-rooms have been painted by the patients, and additional furniture and linoleum provided. The latter is of good quality, and vastly superior to what was obtained from the contractor for the female refractory-wards, and which is already badly worn. Two new rooms have been brought into use since my last report for a two-fold purpose—namely, as visiting-rooms and as attendants' messrooms, for which they are well suited. Some repairs are needed within the asylum. The covering of scrim and paper upon the upper portion of the walls of the refractory wards, both male and female, is unsuitable, and constantly becoming torn and soiled. It should be replaced by match-boarding, which might with advantage be painted in some light tint, instead of being varnished simply. One of the padded rooms requires repairs, the pads being much torn. The dining-hall should be painted in some light tint above a dark shade, as previously recommended. This would relieve its present gloomy look. The exterior of the old buildings, the wings, and the Superintendent's house should be painted this season to preserve the woodwork, which is suffering from exposure to the weather. I repeat my recommendation as to the provision of accommodation for 20 additional female patients. The back-yard on the male side should be converted into an ornamental court, a portion of the