H.—7

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.iiid no matter how good the training ami discipline of the .shift as regards fire duty it is awful to contemplate what the result might have been had the fire broken out during the night instead of during the day. 1 here take the opportunity of oommending the nurses for their ooolnees in getting the patients safely out of the building, and the male staff I'm' their work as a fire brigade. The female patients showed wonderful restraint, and deserve praise for their help in preparing temporary accommodation for themselves, and their good humour during their trying eviction. The loss of dormitory accommodation through the closing of the attic will involve the building of new dormitories, and a new ward to provide for the natural increase will also be required in the near future. We are now using our electric plant to its full capacity, but are wiring the rest of the institution to be able to take advantage of the power from Lake Coleridge when it is available. The general health of the patients has been good, and we have got rid of the scarlet-fever epidemic which troubled us so long. The usual services have been held during the year, and these have been supplemented by Mr. Smail, the newly appointed officer, who conducts reading parties in the wards in the evenings, which affords pleasure and recreation to a great many of the patients. Thanks are due to those who have contributed to the patients' pleasure by the giving of i oerts and passes to places of amusement, and also to the donors of the gramophone with records, which is a valuable acquisition. Since the end of liie year I have lost I he capable services of Dr. IJainsliot loin, who left to take up praotioe in England, and to him and the staff in general 1 have to express my appreciation for loyal and valuable assistance. I have, &c, W. Baxter Cow, The Inspector-General, Mental Hospitals, Wellington. Medical Superintendent.

SEACLIFF MENTAL HOSPITAL. SlH,— 1 have the honour to submit the following report on the Seacliff Mental Hospital for the year 1913. At the beginning of the year there were 1)15 patients, and at the close 924, including 0 who had been transferred from other institutions. The returns show that, exclusive of transfers from other institutions, there were I •'!() patients admitted during the year, and that 61 patients were discharged, relieved, or recovered, being at the rate of 47 per cent. The general health has been good, and there has been no serious accident or casualty during the year. The deaths during the year were ."i4 : of these. L'-'i were aged bit ween seventy and a hundred, and five were between ninety and a hundred. The leading cause of death was senile decay. The death-rate was just over .">.', per cent, on the total number of patients under treatment. In addition to the improvements in accommodation to which 1 drew attention in my last year's report (which are now under way or about to be taken in hand), the following are our most pressing needs : — (1.) Extension of the Nurses' Home to provide further accommodation for about twenty. (2.) Extension of accommodation lor female patients so as to make room at Seacliff for the women who are now housed temporarily at the Orokonui Branch institution at Waitati. (3.) A small wooden shelter-cottage for the better isolation and treatment of male patients suffering from tuberculosis. Consumptive women can be accommodated suitably by modifying one of our present wooden pavilions so as to make it serve this purpose. (4.) Improved -equipment for bathing, to meet the great increase of patients during late years. (5.) Improved* kitchen and baking equipment and facilities for the main buildings at Seacliff. (6.) Farm and workshop, &c. : (a.) Owing to the decreasing number of capable milkers a machine-milking plant ought to bo installed. (b.) Suitable woodworking machinery has long been a pressing need, and would save a large annual expenditure, (c.) An adequate telephone system. 'Ihis would prevent much waste of time, and would economize and facilitate the harmonious working of the institution. In its expansion not only has the Mental Hospital quite outgrown the menas of intercommunication which barely sufficed originally, but the position has become such that a more modern equipment is now imperatively needed. The yields in produce from the various estates have been satisfactory, but our fishing returns have been poor. Further development of the Orokonui Branch Mental Hospital at Waitati is highly desirable.. The institution is well and very harmoniously worked by Dr. Ross. The Camp Auxiliary at the Peninsula is well managed, and the year's work has been highly satisfactory. Religious services have been held by various denominations throughout the year. The thanks of the authorities arc due to the Otago Daily Times and Witness Company and to the Evening Star Company for newspapers and journals supplied free, and also to other donors wholiave kindly contributed to the amenities of our hospitals.