H.—l2

4

bush-land that has been cleared has caused an outlay of no less than £5 2s. sfd. per head for the farm and contingencies, as against £2 15s. 4d. in Sunnyside. The increase of the cost per head in Wellington is explained by the expenditure of £518 Bs. 3d. in buildings and repairs, which used to come out of loan, as compared with £273 6s. 2d. for Auckland, and £259 ss. lid. for Sunnyside. ENTEIES OF VISITS TO THE DIFFEEENT ASYLUMS. Auckland. 21st January, 1890.—1 visited the Asylum on the 17th and 18th days of January, and again on the 21st. I carefully examined the food, clothing, bedding, as well as every part of the buildings and grounds, and found everywhere proofs that Dr. King and his staff are working vigorously and harmoniously. Every part of the building is clean and comfortable, and were it not for the structural defects and overcrowding on the male side I should be able to say that at length the Auckland Asylum is in a satisfactory state. There is an excess of about fifty male patients, and I am afraid it will severely tax our means to provide the necessary accommodation without a farther extension on the male side. I was very much struck with the helpless and hopeless character of a very large proportion of tho cases in this institution, as compared with the other asylums of the colony. In going over the cases individually, the probable recoveries are very few, and the collection of broken-down old persons suffering from secondary dementia is very melancholy to contemplate. At Mr. Ewington's suggestion I made a careful examination of the case of A. 8., and found from the history and surroundings of the case that it would be imprudent to discharge him unless some friend executed a bond to look after him as provided by the Act. A padded room is to be at once provided on the male side, and every effort will be made to remedy the overcrowding by removing such of the patients as can be accommodated in the other asylums. The Asylum contained 376 patients at the date of my last visit, being 255 males and 121 females. The only form of constraint I found in use was locked gloves on one woman, for satisfactory reasons. The medical journal for the week ending 11th January, 1890, showed that eleven persons were in seclusion for stated periods (all entered) during the week. Two women and five men were confined to bed under medical treatment. Six females and fourteen males wore strong canvas dresses. Eighty-three were at work on the farm and in the garden. Sixty men and twenty-seven women did some kind of useful work in the house, and thirteen men were engaged in the workshops. In spite of all the efforts of the staff, it was found impossible to occupy in any way about 170 males and sixty females—a proportion which, knowing as I do Dr. King's energy and zeal in this matter, I can only account for by saying that this Asylum is singular in my experience in the large proportion of helpless and hopeless dements it contains. I was pleased to observe signs of increased activity in breaking up fresh ground on the farm. Special thanks are due to Dr. King and Mr. Ewington for the interest they have taken in providing the fine billiard-table, piano, and other means of amusement for the patients and attendants. P.S. — I have examined J R , and find that, though much improved since admission, talking quite rationally at times, yet he suffers from very marked muscular tremor, especially in the right hand, and is generally in a condition of great nervous irritability. He is quite unfit to be discharged, and probably would be dangerous. —D. M. Wellington. Ist August, 1889. —To-day and yesterday I have spent inspecting this Asylum. The total number of patients is 247 —males 147, females 100. I saw and examined every one of these, and made a more careful inquiry into the circumstances and nature of all the recent and more hopeful cases. Only one epileptic male patient was confined to bed. One male and one female wore strong dresses. There were no cases of any other kind of restraint ; and there were none in seclusion. I examined the clothing of all the patients, and found all were suitably clad and shod. The bedding was amply sufficient and very clean. I was present at dinner on both days, and found the food good and well cooked. I remarked, however, that considerably more despatch might be used in the distribution. I had some conversation with S S , who had been transferred from Auckland in order to remove him from certain influences which in Dr. King's opinion were injurious to his mental health. He seemed to be much improved in mental tone, but he still cherishes delusions about his being illegally treated, and refused to give me any information, saying he would say nothing till he got before the Judge. Five males were under medical treatment. Of the whole number of patients only fifteen men and twenty-eight women were found incapable of some form of occupation. Thirty-one males and thirty females attend divine service ; and forty-seven males and thirty-seven females take part in the usual recreations and amusements. I was much pleased to find that all the tailoring is now done by the patients. Besides being a considerable saving, this is a valuable means of diverting the minds of those who are engaged in it. Mr. Macleay, the new head attendant, who has taken Mr. Morrison's place, and Miss Finch, the new matron, both promise very well. The stock-lists of the various charge attendants were fairly kept. The difficulty which I pointed out on a previous inspection about the laundry-sheets has disappeared. The building in all its parts is kept very clean, and an air of comfort pervades the whole institution. The books and other statutory documents were all examined, and found to be properly kept. The Asylum as a whole is in a highly satisfactory condition. Nelson. 9th August, 1889.—1 was engaged all day yesterday in examining the condition of this Asylum. The unfortunate circumstances attending the removal of the late Superintendent made it very difficult for his successor (Mr. Morrison) to enter upon his new duties. I trust that all difficulties are now over, and I anticipate no further trouble. The Asylum is in good order, and is working