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As in the case of Peaeliff, so here, the original kitchen is too limited, and is surrounded hv buildings. The remedy in the case of Porirua is to remove the boiler-house, engine-room, and workshops to a separate building (a scheme strongly recommended by our chief engineer), and, this completed, use the vacated buildings for a central kitchen, &c, for which they are. wel' adapted. The Beception House Hospital, named "Banta," after the local name of the elevation on which it is situated, continues to give satisfaction to the administration and patients. The older building is crowded, especia'ly on the, women's side, and arrangements are under way for transferring fifty patients to Tokanui. There has been a shortage, of nurses, at times very acute, and great praise- is due to the Matron and others for having made the very best of their limited resources. Tokanui. —Visited February, July, December, 1919, and May, 1920. The farm development has progressed apace, and a, permanent camp has been erected on a remote part of the estate to facilitate the working without loss of time in transit. There is a talk in the district of a railway to join up Te Awamutu and Putaruru, passing through the Mental Hospital estate almost on the lines surveyed for the private light railway I advocated when we first took over the property. The lay-out scheme of this institution was based on this light railway, and when that was abandoned we built as near the existing railway-station as possible. It is a satisfactory site, but not the best, and should the projected railway become an accomplished fact the main, future addition should be in the neighbourhood of the trig., as first contemplated, the present institution then becoming a succursal hospital, most valuable for classification. Against this contingency an excellently graded road haw been constructed I'roni the trig.site to the main road, and also back to the Waikeria Reformatory, considerably shortening the journey from the Reformatory to Te Awamutu. This road was constructed by the labour of the Reformatory inmates. We have carried out a number of works with our own labour, and the Rubb'c Works Department hayc completed another unit of the building scheme to accommodate fifty patients, and are now engaged in adding two blocks, one on the men's and one on the women's side, to enable us to diTectiy admit patients to Tokanui, and not only under transfer as at present Admitting Waikato patients wil' by so much relieve Auckland. The so'dier patients from Auckland were removed to Tokanir, and the transfer has proved beneficial, We are, at present negotiating with the Te Awamutu Borough Council for connecting the Mental Hospital with their Pirongia water-supply. Ashhurn Ball. —Visited January, February, July, December, 1919, and January, March, 1920. This licensed Mental Hospital aims to provide a comfortable rest-home, and carries out this aim creditably by sinking as far as possible the institution element. In conclusion, I have to thank the administrative heads for their loyal co-operation and the staff working under them, who, T am sure, will not consider the distinction, invidious if I make special mention of the chief clerks for their keenness in purchasing at the best advantage supplies for which we could not let. contracts. That patients should not suffer from soaring prices, while, keeping expenditure within reasonable limits, has been a responsible and attractive problem. Lastly, I feel I have much, to be grateful for in reviewing the friendly working-spirit existing between the members of my Head Office staff. This is no new thing, but recently they have been severely tried by changes and other emergencies and have proved superior to the ordeal. It is a pleasure to work with such helpers. I have, &c, Feank Hay.

MTCDTOAL STTPTCTCTNTTCNPTCNTR' "REPORTS. AUCKLAND MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Beattie reports : — We began the year with 1,047 patients and ended it with 1,008. The number admitted during the year was 270, of whom 147 were males and 123 females, making the total under care for the year 1317. The numbers discharged or removed were 76 males and 51 females, recovered ; 2 males and 10 females discharged not improved ; 46 males and 6 females were transferred, and 78 males and 46 females died. The recovery-Bate calculated on the admissions was 51-7 per cent, for males and 41-4 for females. The death-rate calculated on the average, number resident was 12-2 per cent, for males and 11-5 for females. The chief causes of death were senile, decay, 21 ; chronic brain-disease, 29 ; general paralysis, 17 ; heart-disease, 13. Although the death-rate was high, it should be stated that the genera] health of the patients was good, excepting that the health-tone of many of those, admitted during the year was lower than usual. We were free from epidemic disease. The work of the institution has been carried on on the usual lines ; but for the most part with difficulty, and rarely with any satisfaction. The. shortage of staff persists in spite of increased wages and improved conditions. The common unrest and unstability has permeated the Hospital, with a consequent constant inflow and outflow of staff. Preference has been given to returned soldiers. """ An innovation was introduced by the appointment of Dr. Mary Wilson, for one year only, at her own request. I had felt for many years that a lady doctor could best perform the work of the female division, and fortunately this opportunity occurred to make a recommendation. Dr. Wilson's appointment, from my point of view and from that of the Hospital, proved an eminently happy one. She has done her work to my complete satisfaction, and she has gained the confidence and appreciation of the, patients and their relatives. '"^.^ A 1 great deal requires'to be Mone yet to make the Hospital approach our desires, but T fully recognize the difficulties in the way.