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to be committed to public asylums, and their postponement of it as long as possible; but I think this might be largely overcome by such measures as I advocated in a former report—viz., a different mode of committal (other than through the police ; sometimes, even, in open Court), and by the disuse of the terms " lunacy " and " lunatic " as applied to our asylums and their inmates ; perhaps also by the reception of voluntary patients, as advocated by Dr. Truby King. If it is necessary to have such private homes, they should at least be under some form of Government control and inspection, and I am inclined to think that they would be much safer and better conducted as detached hospitals in connection with the several State asylums. Many persons who are reluctant to send their friends to a public institution, detaining them at home as long as possible, till the disease has become hopelessly confirmed, would, I believe, gladly avail themselves of the more private form of institutional treatment just referred to, in preference to that of the socalled homes. The late head-attendant, Mr. Chapman, severed his connection with this Asylum at the end of November, after nearly twenty years' faithful and arduous service, on his promotion to the charge of the male department of the inebriate home at Waitati. To him and my other fellow-officers, including my colleague Dr. Crosby, I am much indebted for hearty co-operation in the discharge of my duties. I have, &c, Edward G. Levinge, M.8., The Inspector-General of Asylums, Wellington. Medical Superintendent.

SEACLIFF ASYLUM. Sir — I have the honour to submit to you the following report on the Seacliff Asylum for the year 1901 :— In regard to the statistics, a point of special interest is the very large number of admissions, viz., 141; and although nearly the half of this number were discharged either relieved or recovered the number remaining is a serious charge. A great increase has been made in our accommodation during the last few years, but it has not been sufficient to overtake the pre-existing overcrowding and to provide for new-comers. We have now seventy more patients than the cubic space warrants, and this makes itself felt in an unduly high death-rate, especially from respiratory diseases, which caused twenty-two deaths during the year. Fifteen deaths were due to tuberculosis. The light and airy new buildings which have been erected of late maintain the health of the patients lodged in them, but in the main building it is impossible to secure a proper standard of light, air, and dryness; and when we have to contend with the sequelae of epidemics of influenza and measles, as has been the case during the past year, the effects of overcrowding are especially manifest. Various works in connection with the estate have been carried out, and the usual recreations have been provided during the year I regret to have to record a homicide by one of the patients, which is, however, the only accident of the kind which has happened at the Asylum during thirteen years. The act was a remarkable one, a suicidal melancholic patient killing a sleeping Chinaman with a stake wrenched from a flower-pot. The man had tried unsuccessfully to kill himself before coming to the Asylum, and, finding the direct road to death still closed to him, he sought to effect his purpose indirectly by committing murder, thinking that he would be hanged for doing so. There is a slight increase in the gross cost per head this year, but this is more than accounted for by the large sums which have to be refunded from the Public Works Department. Besides this, the necessary repairs and additions to buildings, &c, charged here against annual expenditure have been very heavy. The thanks of the authorities are due to the Otago Daily Times and Witness Company, and to the Evening Star Company, for copies of their journals (supplied free). Very acceptable donations of books, periodicals, &c, have also been received from private individuals. To my colleague, Dr. Falconer, and to the staff, I have to convey my thanks for their cordial assistance in carrying out the work of the institution. I have, &c, F. Teuby King, The Inspector-General of Asylums, Wellington. Medical Superintendent.

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