H.— 7

9

almost ready for occupation at Tokanui by patients from other mental hospitals. Sketch-plans to accommodate 250 were made and handed over for development to the architect detailed for the work, with whom all particulars were discussed. He, unfortunately, became ill, and as the serious turn his illness took was not at first anticipated, work was suspended in expectation of his return. When, however, the illness was prolonged another architect was detailed for the work; the requirements were discussed with him, and one of the plans was got through. For this tenders are about to be called. In the meantime, to afford immediate substantial relief for overcrowding, plans for ;in addition at Auckland have been completed, and specifications are being got out. This once out of hand, the plans and specifications of two other buildings at Tokanui will be got through, in order that they may be started before the first is completed. These preliminary buildings for the new institution are being placed on a piece of land jutting out from the main estate towards Te Pulii Railway-station. This land was purposely included to avoid delay of loading when the buildings come to be erected, there being a public road from the station to tlie site, about a mile and a half distant. The Court sits next month to fix the price of the Native par! of the land. The building at Auckland will be for 240 patients, and will have a home for nurses and one for attendants — a separate house. There will also be accommodation for an assistant medical officer. The building will be for the class of patient commonly designated as " refractory," and thus the main Mental Hospital will be left for the classification of well-behaved patients. The design of the additions follows the configuration of the site, but has been so arranged that all rooms will have ample sunlight and fresh air, and the observation of patients will be greatly facilitated. There is a central kitchen block, from which four dining-rooms radiate, one for each ward. Two of these wards are for fifty and two for seventy patients each. Every ward has a small associated dormitory, the rest of the sleeping-rooms being single, and cross-ventilated in the manner first adopted in the additions to Porirua, and there working successfully. The wards are complete in themselves, and therefore the kitchen and administration blocks and one male and one female ward will be built first, in order that they may pass into occupation when the two other wards are being completed. At Seacliff the recommendations approved at my last visit have been put in hand. Hospitals on the lines of the Wolfe Bequest should now be gone on with at Sunnyside and Porirua. The work this year has been beset with difficulties, and 1 must express my appreciation of the support I have received from yourself and from the officials in the Department. The management of the institutions is being carried out faithfully, and the good work of the staffs deserves commendation. Dr. Gribben's appointment will be of great assistance. He has been long enough in the office at this date for mc to express this opinion. To Miss Maclean for her co-operation throughout the year I have to express my thanks. T have, &0., Frank Hay.

2-H. 7.