H.—7

9

position of " Patients' Friend "an unqualified success. Having experienced the many advantages arising out of the establishment of this position, I have no hesitation in recommending its continuance. It is essential that the, Patients' Friend should be an enthusiast who familiarizes himself with the characteristics and idiosyncrasies of the patients individually, and to do this it is necessary, as Mr. Smail often pointed out, to visit the institution as nearly as possible every day. Dr. Lee returned to duty in. October after having been absent on active service for four years. I have to thank the staff for their enthusiastic co-operation, which has enabled the work of administration to be carried out under very pleasant conditions.

SEACLIFF MENTAL HOSPITAL, Dr. Jeffreys reports : — At the beginning of the year there were, 1,057 patients (615 males and 442 females) in this institution. Exclusive of transfers from other institutions there were 150 admissions (94 males and 56 females), and 21 of them (8 males and 13 females) wen; readmissions. Inclusive of 10 males and 12 females absent on trial, there were 1,077 patients (633 males and 444 females) remaining in the, Hospital on 31st December, while the, average number resident during the year was 1,068 (624 males and 444 females). Voluntary boarders are not included in the above. Taking into consideration the number of incurables admitted (including several imbeciles from Otekaieke), the recovery-rate was satisfactory, the percentage on admissions being 37-33. The general health of the patients has been good. There, were 66 deaths, and 18 of these were due to senile decay and 6 to general paralysis. The new block at Waitati for the accommodation of 50 female patients was commenced towards the end of the year, but owing to the shortage of material and the difficulty in procuring carpenters lam afraid it will be some considerable time before the building is completed. A new reservoir has been erected above Simla, and the sanitary arrangements there are now quite satisfactory. The soldiers at Anzac Hospital, Karitane, and the patients at Waitati have been visited by one or other of the medical staff from Seacliff. Mr. Quill, who has been in charge of Karitane from May, 1916, was promoted to head attendant at Porirua in July last, and it has been difficult to satisfactorily fill his place. This small hospital has benefited many returned soldiers, and no doubt has been the means of preventing a considerable number from being committed to a mental hospital, and Dr. King's generosity in lending his cottage for all these years cannot be too highly appreciated. I regretted losing the services of Dr. Maopherson, who resigned early in the year, and also those of Mr. Thomas, Chief Clerk, who was transferred to Sunnyside in December. I wish to record my appreciation of the good work done by Dr. Gray; and we were fortunate in procuring the services of Dr. Blair, whose ability and zeal considerably lightened one's responsibility. I again wish to record our indebtedness to Messrs. Park and Gallaway, District Inspectors, and to Mr. Cummings, Patients' Friend, for his continued interest in the patients. Miss Monson and Mr. Slater, Official Visitors, have visited the institution most regularly and shown great interest in the patients. Owing to the distance of this institution from the, town, apart from the usual dances, the patients have not had as many entertainments as one could wish, and consequently the. visit of the Dunedin Peace Choir was greatly appreciated. It is to be hoped that before long we will have our own cinematograph.

2—H, 7.