15

H.—7

have power to light one ward, and we hope to have it wired soon. When this is done we intend, to go on with the complete wiring of the Hospital to be ready for the turning-on of the power from Lake Coleridge. Up to the present we show a great reduction in the cost of lighting, and the efficiency of the light is incomparable. The returns from the farm and garden reflect great credit on the farm-manager and the staff. The sum of £1,832 13s. lOd. was received, for cash sales, whilst the value of produce consumed in the institution, calculated at wholesale prices, was £3,285 13s. 2d. We found a ready sale for our youngstock, and now eagerly await our importations from England, which have been delayed through foot-and-mouth disease there. Our numbers are steadily increasing, and extra accommodation on the male side is required. The provision of a Nurses' Home and quarters for attendants would greatly add to the efficiency and comfort of the institution, and such provision would free a number of single rooms which are more suitable for the treatment of patients. I have again to thank those whose kindly hearts have prompted them to afford recreation to the patients, by granting free entrance to places of amusement, giving of concerts, gifts for the Christmas tree, and many other acts of kindness. Sports and games have been carried on as usual, and our sports club has gained honourable places in open competition with the town and district. I feel that the size of the institution now warrants me in asserting that the time is now ripe for the appointment of a second Assistant Medical Officer. I wish to put on record my hearty appreciation of the work of Dr. Ramsbottom, the officers, and the staff generally, during the year under review. I have, &c, W. Baxter Gow, M.D., The Inspector-General, Mental Hospitals, Wellington. Medical Superintendent.

SEACLIFF MENTAL HOSPITAL. Sir,— I have the honour to submit the following report on the Seacliff Mental Hospital for the year 1912. At the beginning of the year there were 890 patients, and at the close 915 —the increase of 25 being due to an unusually low death-rate on the female side, causing an increase of 26 in the number of women left in the institution, while there was actually a decrease of lin the number of men. Total deaths were 56, being at the rate of 5-35 per cent., calculated on the total number of patients under care during the year. The divergence of the incidence of deaths, though purely accidental, is striking ; the average percentage on the male side for this particular year being 7-1, while on the female side it is only 2-6. Among the men, 23 of the deaths (being rather more than half the total) occurred in patients between sixty and ninety years of age —viz., 11 between sixty and seventy, 8 between seventy and eighty, and 4 between eighty and ninety—the essential factor being senile decay. The general health has been good, and there has been no serious accident or casualty during the year. In regard to the working of the institution, the main features calling for improvement have been insufficient accommodation in certain directions and a marked shortage of nurses. The latter has not been merely local, but a resultant of the general shortage which has obtained throughout the Dominion in regard to all classes of nurses and domestic helps. The defect is being remedied by the engaging of a number of women selected in England by our late Matron, Miss Beswick. The accommodation and comfort of the institution has been greatly improved by large additions made to the Simla annexe ; the provision of a large day-room in the main building for the more troublesome male patients ; and the making of a bright, sunn}' airing-court, with bedrooms and sitting-room opening out on to it, for weak and infirm male patients. A similar quarter is needed for the women, but the most pressing requirement on their side is the provision of a large day-room similar to the one that has been prepared for the men, and a large extension of sleeping-accommodation. Besides this, the somewhat rapid increase in the number of women which happens to have occurred makes it very necessary that an additional park and airing-space should be provided without delay. All these matters are being attended to, the designs being ready and the work about to be put in hand. Another most important addition which will be gone on with during the year is the provision of a pleasant cottage for the more sensitive and curable male patients, on the lines of the cottage we have long had for women. This will be erected on the beautiful and commanding site prepared for it in the garden. Another most important addition, which I trust the authorities will be able to carry out during this year, is the erection of a suitable separate dining-room for the male members of the staff, who have hitherto had to dine, in the main hall—a most unsuitable arrangement. The fact that the male population has been temporarily stationary has enabled us to practically get fairly abreast of the requirements with the exception of the cottage I have just referred to ; and the fact that we shall have further accommodation available for another fifty men at Waitati during the year is very satisfactory. Extensions of enclosed airing-space for male patients now under way will greatly improve matters in the way of classifying patients who tend to give annoyance to one another. The returns of the farm and garden throughout the year have been highly satisfactory, and the only material shortage we have suffered as compared with previous years has been in the fish-supply. However, this has been due to no fault on the part of Mr. Thompson, who has charge of the fishingstation, and who has shown himself throughout capable, resourceful, and zealous. The fishing-season has been the worst experienced for many years for all those engaged in the work on our coast. However, what we have lacked in quantity has been made up to some extent in the quality of the fish supplied. By adding trawling to his other operations, the fisherman was able to supply us in one