29

H.-7.

There has been the usual round of active amusements, in which as many as possible have taken part. I consider the cricket-ground of this institution worthy of a separate note. The oval is pla-ed on the north of the main building, and affords, full in view, an immediate point of active interest, while givnig an interesting note of formal gardening between the wards and the landscape of hills and harbour. One is pleased to observe the increased growth of trees and shrubs, and also that the ungenerous soil of the farm is yielding a reward to work. Dr. Hassell has, no doubt, found it a toilsome process, the individual worth of the labour being little, but by the leading of many energies into a useful channel he has the satisfaction of seeing a garden beginning to flourish where once was a wilderness. The orchard this } 7 ear has been particularly prolific, and, as a result, the patients have been able to have a large supply of fruit. Divine service is held in the institution fortnightly for the Protestant community, and the Roman Catholics who are able to do so go to their church, which is situate at the gate of the Hospital. I found the, institution in good order, and the patients looking well. On the whole, they were contented. One patient complained that he was unjustifiably committed and detained, and has many grievances. His reception-order and certificates are in proper form, and he is undoubtedly insane. Not able to appreciate this himself, and finding, doubtless, that the necessary control to which he is subjected restricts the translation into action of the expansive feelings of simple mania, he naturally chafes and considers himself wronged. His malady belongs to a well-known type, more frequently met with in the other sex, which is characterized by a tendency to put a wrong construction on motives and generally to assume an attitude of antagonism. Such patients frequently maintain a remarkable plausibility and enlist champions. It is just possible that this patient is in the early stage of general paralysis. His is certainly a difficult and trying case to deal with, but I was satisfied that his complaints, laid bare of their covering of supposed motives, left little or nothing. The food inspected was of good quality, well served, and abundant. I took a note of the staff dietary for a week, and find that it practically corresponds with that quoted in my reports on Seacliff and Sunnyside.

Bacon only served when in stock and of own rearing. Eggs for Roman Catholics on Friday if no fish. At tea : tomatoes, oucumber, lettuce, and other greens are served in season. There are at this date 31 attendants and 7 artisans, 5 of whom assist in ward-duty, and 30 nurses, who are assisted for Sunday relief by two laundresses. Of attendants and nurses proper, 35*5 per cent, and 6*3 per cent, respectively have been in the service for five years and upwards. Excluding artisans, laundresses, &c, the attendants and nurses bear the following ratio to patients :— Theoretical Actual Ratio after Ratio. deducting Holidays. Night attendants (3) .. .. .. . . Ito 108-3 Ito 108-3 Day attendants (28) .. .. .. .. Ito 11-6 Ito 16*0 Night nurses (3) .. .. .. .. Ito 91*6 Ito 91-6 Day nurses (27) .. . . . . .. Ito 10*0 Ito 140 Since the 7th December a probationer nurse and a probationer attendant were found to be unfit for the service, the services of a nurse and an assistant laundress were dispensed with for breach of Rule 10, and 2 nurses and an attendant have been appointed. I visited the site of the proposed supplementary reservoir. An understanding has been come to with the neighbouring proprietor, which merely awaits signature for the work to be started. The liquid-manure tank and other minor matters are in progress. The painting of the kitohen-ceiling has increased the light in the room, but I observe that the boiler-covers do not lead away the steam as well as they are supposed to do. The electrical accumulators have, to all intents, perished with ordinary use, and it is proposed to replace them by a Diesel oil-engine running all night, as being more economical. The engine is shortly expected, and the bed for it is prepared. The iron hot-water pipes are being replaced by copper. Dr. Jeffries, Assistant Medical Officer, left at the beginning of last month on a year's leave, without pay, granted to let him gain Home experience and further his studies in psychiatry. I am pleased to find Dr. Hassell in excellent health, and the institution with which he is identified in a highly satisfactory state. The statutory books were examined, were up to date, and were neatly and correctly kept. The tenders for meat, grocery, and other provisions, and the drug tenders, were opened in my presence on the 13th.

Breakfast. Dinner. Tea. Daily Porridge and milk, bread and butter, tea Tea, potatoes, and other vegetables in season Tea, bread and butter, cheese. Monday Tuesday ... Bacon or cold meat ' Fried chops Eoast mutton, milk pudding... Eoast beef, milk pudding Cold meat. Cold meat, scones, jam. Cold meat. Wednesday Fried steak Soup, boiled mutton, bread-and-butter pudding Eoast beef, cornflour pudding, stewed fruit if in season Fish and Irish stew, boiled pudding, or stewed fruit if in season Corned beef, milk pudding ... Thursday ... Curry and rice Cold meat, jam. Friday Steak and potatoes Buns. Saturday ... Fish fried, and cold meat Fried chops Cold corned beef. Sunday Eoast mutton, plum pudding or fruit pie Cold meat, cake.