H.—7.

Christchurch Asylum. 2nd December, 1901.—1 find this Asylum is working very satisfactorily in all its departments. All the clothing is suitable. The dinner to-day was excellent in quality and abundant in quantity. The total number of patients is 549—males, 304; females, 245. Those who are confined to bed under treatment number nine men and ten women. The amount of restraint shown by the register is very moderate, and each case is carefully recorded. The unemployed amount only to ninetythree males and sixty-one females. I think the time has arrived for removing the piggeries. The north house will serve its present purpose for some time longer, though it is a good deal worn out. The overcrowding on the male side, i.e., excess over the statutory accommodation, is eighty, and the female side is full. This state of things makes it very difficult to deal with the cases of erysipelas which occur here at intervals. The vigour and efficiency of Dr. Levinge's rule is everywhere manifest, and the staff on the whole is working well. Visited by Deputy Inspector, 9th September, 1901, and Bth and 10th January, 1902. Seacliff Asylum. 28th November, 1901.—1 found six males and five females in bed, all being carefully treated. I saw an excellent dinner served out, the distribution occupying exactly ten minutes. The plates were warm, and the order and quietness very satisfactory. The total number of males is 417; females, 223. Six males and eight females are wet or dirty cases. Two hundred and ten men are working outside, and 103 inside. Fifteen women are in the garden picking gooseberries. A very beautiful site has been chosen for the new nurses' home. The building is very suitable, and very picturesque in design. Both this and the row of new rooms on the female side will be ready for occupation as soon as the needful furniture can be procured. No further building operations ought to be undertaken here ; the overcrowding must be provided for elsewhere. Visited by Deputy Inspector, 30th June and 26th August, 1901. Hokitika Asylum Visited by Deputy Inspector, 29th April and 26th December, 1901. Nelson Asylum. 11th November, 1901.—1 found the whole Asylum in good working order. The patients are all carefully attended to by Dr. Mackie. The general discipline of the institution is good. Fifty male patients are working on the farm and garden. The porch at the cottage-building on the hill is now being built, and it will be a great protection from the north-east. The farm is rather backward owing to the unfavourable season. The new piggeries and workshops are very urgently needed. Many of the fruit-trees seem to me to be too old, and many of the apple-trees are useless from American blight. The patients are well clad, and all their beds are clean and comfortable. I found only one woman in bed. The chronic difficulty about the water-supply is causing much trouble and anxiety. Mr. Fell and Mr. Melhuish are very interested in all that concerns the good of the asylum, and I owe a great deal to their disinterested services. Visited by Deputy Inspector, 3rd July, 2nd November, and 16th December, 1901. Porirua Asylum. Bth July, 1901. —This Asylum is working well in all its departments. The patients are all warmly clad. Their dinner was abundant and good. Visited by Deputy Inspector, 22nd May, 17th August, and 2nd October, 1901. Wellington Asylum. 6th November, 1901.—The extension of the refractory day-room is a great boon to the female patients. I find everything in good order. Dr. Gow, notwithstanding Dr. Coker's absence on leave, has kept everything going smoothly. The patients are all very suitably clothed, and well cared for in every respect. 6th February, 1902.—1 have made a careful examination of this Asylum to-day. The number of patients is 256—males, 153; females, 103. Only three women are in bed, none seriously ill. I found the dinner excellent; broth first-rate, mutton, potatoes, and rice-pudding. The whole Asylum is kept scrupulously clean, and is in good order. The patients are all suitably clad. I found the stock carefully kept. A good spirit inspires the staff, though there is a good deal of dissatisfaction and some changes, which are attributable to the recent agitation for shorter hours and an increase of wages. Dr. Gow is absent enjoying his well-earned holiday, and his duties are very satisfactorily performed by Dr. Young. Visited by Deputy Inspector, 21st May, 15th August, 14th October, sth November, and 10th December, 1901. Ashburn Hall. 29th November, 1901. —I have gone all over this institution, and found everything in good order. The patients are—women, 22 ; men, 21. All are carefully looked after in every way. The

3