H.—7

8

come these initial defectsand render the building properly habitable. As the whole of the plumbing had been utterly scamped, and has had to be almost entirely replaced and remodelled, and as there were almost no provisions for ventilation of building or drains, no proper drains, no adequate means of heating, and, in fact, no modern sanitary provisions of any kind, our annual expenditure upon unseen works of this class has necessarily been heavy, in spite of the most rigid economy. When it is added that the Asylum was a mere naked unfurnished shell, which has had to be gradually painted and supplied with necessary furniture and amenities, while the estate was undeveloped and unequipped, and all these things have had to be remedied and supplied for the most part out of the annual expenditure of the institution, it will be fairly realised, I think, that the item, " Necessaries, Incidental, and Miscellaneous," has had peculiarly heavy burthens thrust upon it at this particular institution. Year by year the estate is becoming more profitable, but the expenses of development are still considerable. During the year the heaviest works in this direction have been the formation and metalling of the road to Simla, extensive boundary and subdivision fencing, the clearing and laying down in grass of some 60 acres of bush-land, and the stumping and bringing under the plough of several large areas. There is a steady increase in the value and yield of the farm stock, and further progress has been made during the year in the development of the poultry farm, which has been giving a steadily increasing profit year by year. As a source of interest and occupation for patients, the chickens and fowls in their various phases have proved a most valuable adjunct to the institution, and we have supplied to various settlers throughout the South Island more than three hundred dozen eggs for setting, of pure-bred fowls, and a number of cockerels and pullets. An average of about two hundred and fifty male patients have been employed throughout the year at the farm, garden, and workshops. A fatal accident happened at the close of the year through a patient swallowing a piece of steel. Apart from this there were only two accidents of any importance —viz., a simple fracture of the wrist through a fall, and a self-inflicted wound of one eye. The usual amusements and recreations have been provided throughout the year, and a number of cricket matches have been played with outside teams. The thanks of the authorities are due to the Otago Witness Company for copies of their journal supplied free. To my colleague, Dr. Falconer, and to the officers and staff, I have_ to convey my thanks tor their willing and hearty co-operation in carrying out the work of the institution. I have, &c, F. Truby King, The Inspector-General of Asylums, Wellington. Medical Superintendent.

WELLINGTON ASYLUM. g IE I have the honour to submit to you the following report on the "Wellington and Porirua Asylums for the year 1898 : — Wellington Asylum (Mount View.) The average number of patients resident here during the year was 237 (146 male and 91 female). Leaving out of account those transferred between this and other Asylums the admissions amounted to 135 (71 male and 64 female), and the discharges to 73 (35 male and 38 female). There were 21 deaths (13 male and 8 female). The proportion of recoveries to admissions was 49-6 per cent., and of deaths to average number resident 8-86 per cent. As regards the recoveries, if we include five convalescent patients transferred to Porirua, and discharged°from there, the proportion of recoveries to admissions is raised to 53-3 per cent., a result which may be considered very satisfactory, and which is 12-5 per cent, higher than in the previous year. lam of opinion that one of the causes of this improvement is to be found in the fact that in 1897 there was excessive over-crowding of patients in the institution, whereas in 1898 the number was reduced to within statutory limits early in the year. In examining the statistics of this Asylum, two points of importance should be borne in mind : First, the institution is a comparatively small one, there being legal accommodation for only 228 patients ; and, secondly,' the population of inmates is essentially a moving one, much more so than in any other asylum, of the colony. By reference to the statistical tables it will be found that the total number of patients under care during the course of the year amounted to 470, the total admitted to 143, and the total discharged and died to 232. The large'number of admissions necessitates the frequent transfer of patients to Porirua and elsewhere, leaving under care a large proportion of acutely insane and physically invalided, which in no small measure accounts for our high death-rate. . The fact that so many recent and acute cases are under treatment at this Asylum leads me to refer to the accommodation for these patients. Wards for such cases should, of course, be not only provided with an ample number of single bedrooms, but should have a liberal amount of day-room space arranged so as to facilitate supervision by the attendants and nurses. This day-room accommodation is certainly defective both on the male and female sides of the Asylum. The female ward for acute cases has only one small sitting-room, which is also used as the mess-room, and the floor-space is thus largely taken up by the dining-tables. Consequently, when the patients are within doors, many of them for want of room have to be drafted into the corridors, where it is impossible to exercise proper supervision and control. The male ward is hardly better situated. Afl. additional day-room for each of these wards would be a great advantage.