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HOKITIKA MENTAL HOSPITAL. 11th July, 1911. 1 visited this institution yesterday and to-day, going over all parts of it and seeing all the patients. Every patient had an opportunity to speak to mc, and 1 conversed with many. No' rational complaint was made. They looked well eared-for and were seasonably clad. Ihe food served during the inspection was good and abundant, and the meals were orderly. There was complete absence of excitement and noise. All parts of the institution were clean and tidy. The number of patients in residence is I7(i (in., 126; f., 50), and 12 (m., 7; f., 5) are absent on probation. One woman is regarded as actively suicidal, and is under a special-observation notice; 5 men and 2 women are epileptics; 2 men and 1 woman are classed as dangerous, and 1 man labours under general paralysis. The above comprise those under special supervision. About 20 patients require to be assisted to wash, dress, or feed. The number under treatment as possibly curable is 27 (m., 16; f., 11). The patients actively employed number 92 (m., 71 ; f.. 18). Of the mem 54 work outside, either in the garden or on the farm. The unemployed are .SO. These patients are mainly unfit through age or infirmity. A Large measure of liberty is accorded to the trust worthy, and as many as 26 men and 5 women are on |>arole; 35 men and 11 women attend Divine service, and 80 men and 38 women join in recreation. Mr. Downey contemplates the laying-out of a bowling-green, which I am sure will add materially to the resources for the recreation both of the patients and staff. I am pleased to find Dr. Macandrew looking well and back to work after his severe illness. The bringing-in of the water-supply lias been a great boon. The length of the 4 in. main from the town terminal up to and through the estate is about 25 chains, and this, together with the reticulations, has been carried out by our own labour in a most creditable manner. The pressure is 65 lb., and I tested its sufficiency for file-extinguishing purposes. I am satisfied that Mr. Downey and his staff are doing good work.

NELSON MENTAL HOSPITAL. 17th February, 1911. 1 visited this Mental Hospital yesterday and to-day, inspecting all parts, including the Home and Valley farms. I also inspected the Home at Richmond, which in the future will be under the same medical supervision as this Hospital, and take this opportunity to express my satisfaction with the parental attitude of Mr. and Mrs. Buttle and the staff towards the children, whom 1 found in good health and happy. At the Nelson Mental Hospital the gloom following upon the untimely death of Mr. Chapman had not lifted, and from members of the staff, and from most of the patients who were able to appreciate their environment and communicate their impressions, tributes were paid to the memory of the late Superintendent, recalling his devotion to his work, his geniality, and his goodness of heart. The number of patients resident to-daj' is 176 (m., 82; f., 94), and there are 12 absent on probation (m., 9; f.. 3).. All resident were seen and spoken to, and no rational complaint was made. No putient is acutely suicidal, but 10 (m., 6; f., 4) are classed as dangerous. Taking these, and those requiring to be dressed, as well as the sick, about one-fourth of the men and the same proportion of the women require the particular care of the nursing staff. Every patient at all fit joins in the recreations, and 56 (m., 29; I.. 27) take part in Divine service. Forty-eight men work on the farm and in the gardens; altogether, 127 (m., 59; f., 68) are usefully employed. The general health of the inmates is good. I was satisfied with the quality and quantity of the food inspected. The wards were clean, and the condition of the institution and the patients reflected favourably on the staff, especially upon the matron and the head attendant. Dr. Mackay, who for ten years has divided his services between the general and mental hospitals, and who recently resigned the former office, intending to live near and devote his whole time to the medical offieership of the Mental Hospital, has been appointed Medical Superintendent. His interest in .the institution has been above that of a medical officer visiting, and 1 feel sure that he will he seconded in his efforts by the loyal co-operation o# the staff.

PORIRUA MENTAL HOSPITAL. 13th February, 1911. 1 visited this Mental Hospital to-day, and with Miss Maclean and Dr. Hassell examined the candidates for registration. I went round the wards and saw the patients. The new wards arc airy and are working well. Since my last report I have paid short visits, and on each occasion found everything in the same perfect order in which it is to-day. Dr. Hassell must have passed through a trying time in adjusting conditions to the sudden influx of Mount View patients last year, plus the large number of admissions, and great credit is due to him and to the staff under him for the uninterrupted smooth working of this Hospital in all its parts. I find the food good, and the general well-being of the patients reflected in their aspect. The sick, who are comparatively few, are being well attended. The serious cases are 2 of hemiplegia, 1 of paralysis of the lower limbs due to a fracture of the spine before admission, 3 general paralytics, 5 cases of phthisis, 4 of heart-disease, and 1 of cancer. The number of patients resident at this date is 883 (males. 509 : females. 374), and there were absent on probation 35 (m., 15: f., 20). Under special observation there were 29 (m., 15; f., 14), 27 of whom are suicidal. There are 15 general paralytics, 3 of whom are women, and 72 patients (m., 14; f., 28) are epileptic. The distinctly lower proportion of women epileptics