3

H.—22b

Regarding our inebriate patients generally, all complain of and resent being detained for such periods as six and twelve months. They do not seem to have yet learnt, nor has the public generally, that beside other, and even the best available means, it takes in the majority of cases a long period to reform the drunkard from his vice. Many even of the best class of our patients, besides complaining of the length of their period of detention, deprecate having to have recourse to a Stipendiary Magistrate in coming to the institution, and bitterly resent being sent under police escort. In view of the foregoing, it becomes a question whether any one should be compelled by force to enter an inebriate institution, as they strongly resent it, naturally also resenting their treatment in the institution, and are probably less likely to benefit from it. As to the character of the inebriate generally, at his best he can hardly be described otherwise than as a person averse to any kind of continuous work ; at his worst, in his degeneracy, he becomes untruthful, deceitful, slanderous, and untrustworthy in the extreme. No one unconnected with this institution can well conceive the amount of annoyance and worry the officials have had to endure. I am pleased to say, however, that the staff individually and collectively have worked well and faithfully under adverse conditions, and in the face of extreme difficulties. The number of patients in the institution at the commencement of the year was : 19 males and 7 females : total, 26. Admitted during the year :28 males, 8 females: total, 32. Discharged during the year: 28 males, 8 females: total, 36. Leaving in the institution at the Ist April, 1904 : 15 males, 7 females : total, 22 inmates.

Expenditure for Year ended 31st March, 1904.

1 should say, however, that some £375 of this amount was expended upon the Seacliff patients, who were formerly employed on the estate. The approximate average cost for maintenance of each patient per week is about £2 Bs. 6u. I have, &c, D. Gault, Medical Superintendent. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation not given ; printing {1,475 copies), _2 Is.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o4. Price 3d.]

Item. Maintenance. | I Capital. Total. Salaries ... Eations ... Fuel and light Surgery and dispensary Washing ... Furniture, bedding, &c. Farm stock and implements... Necessaries, £1,081 13s. 3d.; miscellaneous and contingencies, £404 19s. Id. Store and office (erecting) Alterations and improvements to buildings £ s. d. 1,539 9 4 1,116 7 6 71 11 1 27 14 0 180 18 5 90 17 7 8 6 0 751 7 0 £ e. d. £ s. d. 1,539 9 4 1,116 7 6 71 11 1 27 14 0 180 18 5 303 1 5 27 6 0 1,486 12 4 212 3 10 19 0 0 735 5 4 95 8 11 324 4 5 95 8 11 324 4 5 Total Less received for maintenance 3,786 10 11 1,386 2 6 5,172 13 5 1,103 7 11 Net expenditure 4,069 5 6