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Hokitika Asylum. 10th December, 1900.—This Asylum is in good order throughout. Mr. Gribben has built with asylum labour a block of ten rooms on the female side, all admirably built. I think, however, the beds are too slight. The new water-tank, to be built of concrete, is 16 ft. by 22 ft. by 10 ft., and will be finished for simply the cost of the materials. I do not know any one who has a greater genius for asylum building and providing the required accessories at a cheap rate than Mr. Gribben. The ten single rooms have cost less than £100, and the tank will not cost more than £60. The only persons confined to bed were one male and one female patient; all the others were well cared for in every respect. Nelson Asylum. 23rd May, 1901. —I have carefully examined the new buildings, and I agree most emphatically with Mrs. Neill's report on the new dormitory and single rooms. lam the more surprised that ordinary plaster should have been used seeing that the same mistake was made at Porirua and had to be remedied. It is absolutely no use to use ordinary plaster for asylum work; and I hope the buildings here will be replastered and covered with a layer of Keen's cement, 7 ft. or 8 ft. from the floor, before being handed over. A porch at the auxiliary is badly wanted. The new sewer is being carefully laid. It would be an advantage to have a large ventilating-pipe (on the main drain, up against the fence) where it emerges from the Asylum grounds into the street. I hope to get a vote this year for the building of new workshops and piggeries. The patients are well attended to in every respect. Dr. Mackie is very attentive to his duties. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison and the staff generally are keeping the Asylum in excellent order. The Official Visitors and Deputy Inspector have been a very great assistance to me in everything that has been done of recent years for the improvement of the institution. Pobibua Asylum. 23rd September, 1900. —I have found this Asylum in excellent order. The patients are all suitably clad and shod. Their dinner was excellent. The general health is particularly satisfactory. Dr. Barraclough has entered on his duties as Assistant Medical Superintendent. I hope to see the final wing on the male side finished by Christmas. Dr. Hassell is making steady progress in laying out the airing-courts and grounds. 2nd December, 1900.—T0-day I have seen all the patients. Only two males and one female were confined to bed. All looked remarkably well. The clothing was suitable and very tidy. The dinner was abundant and good. The nursing staff is working well. The upper floor of the terminal male wing will be ready for Christmas, which will enable us to relieve the overcrowding on the male side at Mount View. The workmanship of the new wing is excellent. It is a great pity that Keen's cement had not been used for the dado all through the building, for in many places the plaster is already being broken down. Dr. Barraclough appears to have managed the Asylum during Dr. Hassell's holiday very satisfactorily. Miss Tuersley, the new Matron, was for a long time Matron at Sunnyside, and I am certain she will be found as reliable and capable here as there. 12th March, 1901.—Visited the Asylum to inspect the new male wing. Everything is very satisfactory as regards material and workmanship, and reflects great credit on the architect and. clerk of works. A few minor details are being rectified. The Asylum as a whole is in admirable order. Wellington Asylum. 26th October, 1900.—Visited the Asylum especially to examine the proposed extension of the refractory day-room. Everything is in good order. Ashbuen Hall. 7th October, 1900.—1 found this asylum in its usual good order. Dr. Hay and Dr. Alexander have the greatest interest in all their patients, all of whom I have seen. Great improvements are being effected in Conolly Ward heating arrangements, and Pinel Ward has been freshly decorated. The institution as a whole, as well as its surroundings, is in a most satisfactory condition. sth May, 1901. —I have conversed with and examined all the inmates. No one was under any form of restraint. Most of the patients I have known for years ; all the more recent ones I discussed with Dr. Hay. The greatest care is exercised in inducing all patients to interest themselves in some suitable form of outdoor work, which is infinitely more important as an aid to recovery than all the drugs of the pharmacopoeia. Dr. Hay is by nature and training admirably qualified for the sympathetic and rational method of dealing with persons suffering from nervous diseases. Great improvements have been effected, at a considerable cost, in improving the male side and in the arrangements for warming the building, which are very efficient.
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