11

H.—7

The general health of the institution was remarkably good up to the last month of the year, when we had an outbreak of measles in the male admission and refractory ward. The incidence was traced to a new attendant who was ill, and confessed to having been nursing a measles case the week before he joined our service. It is deplorable that such carelessness and culpable ignorance should exist as regards the danger of infection. The wards were isolated, but cases kept cropping up all over the male side, and at the end of the year there were eight patients affected and the whole of the male division was in quarantine. Luckily the female side escaped. Accidents have been extremely rare, no bones being broken, and only minor injuries such as cuts and abrasions having to be attended to. The May-Oatway automatic fire-alarm has been installed, and proof of its efficiency was shown when, on a false alarm, the Newtown Fire Brigade drove up under two minutes from the inception of the Are. I am pleased to have to report that the Public Works Department has begun to wire the building for electric light, which will give us better light and also more security from fire. There have been many changes in the staff during the year, due to the same causes as in former years. House-rents are so high and cost of living so much in Wellington that it is wellnigh impossible for a married man to live in the service. I would suggest that lodging-money should be granted to married attendants, as their rooms in the Asylum would become available for extra patients or attendants. For the amusement of the patients, books, periodicals, dances, and picnics have been provided. We have had a very quiet and satisfactory year, for the attainment of which I have to heartily thank the officers and staff of the institution. I have, &c, W. Baxter Gow, M.D., The Inspector-General of Asylums, Wellington. Medical Superintendent.

D. MacGregor, M.A., M.8., Inspector-General of Asylums.