H.—7

28

very gratifying, in view of the charges made by an ex-attendant against Mr. Chapman's character, which charges he very foolishly took to heart. The Department recommended him for the position he holds because it knew him to be a man of honour and integrity, and was satisfied that his whole energies would be devoted to his work. This estimate, I may venture to say, is that of any one capable of judging, who is brought in close contact with Mr. Chapman. As a result of the present inspection I am quite satisfied that the Department has not misplaced its trust. The farm operations have been very successful, and the return from the orchard has been large in quantity and good in quality. The statutory books and registers were examined, and found to be correctly kept. I did not check the stores ledger. Porirua Mental Hospital. 15th March, 1907. —I visited this Hospital on the 13th, 14th, and to-day, inspecting the main and succursal buildings and the various parts of the estate, and saw all the patients. Mrs. Neill and Miss Maclean paid a visit of inspection on the 7th December, and this report will therefore deal with the three months which have elapsed. The statistics hereunder, unless otherwise stated, refer to the state of the population yesterday : — Males. Females. Total. Resident on the 7th December, 1906 .. .. .. 322 276 598 Absent on trial on the 7th December, 1906 .. 19 4 23 On register on the 7th December, 1906 .. .. . . 341 280 621 Admitted since the 7th December, 1906 .. .. 19 10 |29 Total under care .. .. .. .. .. 360 290 650 Males. Females. Total. Discharged recovered .. .. 11 3. 14 Discharged unrecovered .. .. 2 0 2 Died .. .. ".. .. 4 3 7 Total discharged and died .. — — — 17 6 23 On register on 14th March, 1907.. .. .. .. 343 284 627 Absent on probation, 14th March, 1907 .. .. 18 9 27 Resident on 14th March, 1907 .. .. .. .. 325 275 600 At present, accommodation for .. .. .. 317 274 591 Excess of patients .. .. .. .. ..8 1 9 It will be observed that the numbers are practically unchanged, though the usual fluctuations in the population have taken place, there being 3 men more and 1 woman fewer in residence than there were three months ago. No evidence of crowding meets the eye, but it will be seen that there are 9 patients in excess of the statutory space, and, in view of this, it is particularly fortunate that discharges are balancing admissions. The 7 deaths recorded were due to epilepsy (2), general paralysis of the insane, chronic brain disease, cancer, heart-disease, and phthisis. No patient was seen under restraint, but the register contains entries with respect to one patient who is placed in a strait-jacket each night as the only practical way to prevent self-mutilation ;heis a Maori. The following percentages of the number resident for the causes detailed require special attention : — Per Cent. Males. Females. Total. With tendency to be wet or dirty .. .. .. 7-08 15*64 ILO Actually wet or dirty .. .. .. • • 2*15 I*l 1*66 Epileptics 5*23 3*27 4*33 General paralytics .. .. .. ■ • • • 2-15 .. 1-16 Suicidal .. ■• 1*23 I*l I*l6 Dangerous (not included above and requiring constant supervision) .. .. .. .. .. I*Bs I*l I*s During the visit 9 patients (males, 4 ; females, 5) were confined to bed for the following reasons : Men —Sclerosis, rheumatism, tubercular sinuses, and leg ulcer ; women —cancer, diarrhoea, and rheumatoid anthritis, and two on account of their mental state. The medical journal shows that evident care is exercised in administering to and noting even minor ailments. The general health of the patients is good. All the drinking-water is filtered. As is usually the case in the mental hospitals, employ- 7rnent contributes largely to the maintenance of a good standard of health, to contentment, and to the recovery of the curable. The following table shows the distribution of the patients with regard to employment: — Males. Females. Total. Farm and garden .. .. .. .. .. 125 .. 125 In workshops and at trades .. .. .. ..13 .. 13 Inwards 80 66 146 Sewing .. .. .. .. •• .... 34 34 Laundry .. ' .. .. .. .. .... 29 29 Kitchen 22 22 Total employed 218 151 369 Mentally or physically unfit for employment .. .. 107 124 231 325 275 600