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SEACLIFF MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Gribben reports : — I beg to forward a report on this institution for the year 1925. At the beginning of the year there were 1,128 patients on the register (632 males, 496 females,, and at its close 1,130 (623 males, 507 females). The admissions during the year numbered 146 (76 males, 70 females). Ninety-one patients were discharged, comprising 47 males, 44 females. Of voluntary boarders 24 were admitted, and 14 (some from the previous year) were discharged. One male voluntary boarder died, and one female had eventually to be formally committed. One case (female) was admitted on remand for observation. Fifty-three patients died during the year (38 males, 15 females). The average weekly number of patients resident during the year was 1,090 (610 males, 480 females). The total number of voluntary boarders under treatment during the year was 51 (27 males, 24 females). Numerous alterations and additions to buildings were carried out during the year. The replacing of single rooms and the provision of a new dining-room for male patients in B ward were completed. The restoration of the fence in the female park, begun in the previous year,.was finished. Further work in asphalting the paths round the buildings was engaged in, and the tennis-court in froit of the building was relaid. An extension to the existing workshops was made, affording new provision for the work of bootmaking and upholstering. A new storage battery was provided, and proved a decided improvement on the old battery, which was practically worn out. A steam-pipe from the main boilers to the laundry was also installed, whilst the supply of water to the main boilers was augumented by the erection of a concrete tank. An extra hydrant was provided in the main recreation-hall to ensure adequate protection from fire during cinematograph entertainments. The painting of buildings at Waitati was almost completed, and has made a considerable improvement in the appearance of the place. Installation of electric light at Waitati is in process of being carried out. Extensive additions and alterations to the kitchen and the bakery constitute a matter of urgency. Further provision in the laundry, especially in the direction of drying-presses, is also a matter of immediate necessity. Additional accommodation is required in the Nurses' Home. Four sections of freehold land, approximating 118 acres, were acquired, as well as 230 acres at Cherry Farm. At the latter, turnips and potatoes were sown, and the homestead was utilized for the accommodation of patients to help in the working of the property. A shelter-belt has been planted to screen the section at Puketeraki, where the seaside sanatorium is to be built. The returns from the fishing-station at Karitane show a considerable decrease as compared with previous years, and better management will have to be arranged for. Farming operations have been carried on, and have provided a healthy occupation for the patients. A number of the farm buildings are in need of repair and partial renovation. A weekly cinematograph entertainment was provided ; this is always much appreciated by the patients. During the winter months a weekly dance was also held. The Christmas-tree entertainment was this year replaced by an outdoor sports picnic held on the cricket field and proved very successful. Religious services of different denominations were regularly held. Mr. Gallaway (District Inspector), and Mr. Slater (Official Visitor), and Mr. Cumming (Patients' Friend) continued their interest and regularly visited the institution. The thanks of the institution are due to the proprietors of the Otago Daily Times, who sent two hundred copies of the Christmas number of the Otago Witness for distribution among the patients. We also thank all those who have at different times sent books and periodicals. Mention should also be made of the Commercial Travellers' Entertainers, who provided a concert that was much enjoyed by the patients.

STATISTICAL. The patients on the register at the end of the year numbered 5,257 (m. 2,921, f. 2,336), or 126 (m. 48, f. 78) more than at the beginning ; and the daily average under treatment during the year was 5,033 (m. 2,830, f. 2,203) or 79 (m. 22, f. 57) more than in the previous year, while the total under care was 6,006. Patients belonging to the Native race numbered 77 (m. 40, f. 37), at the end of the year. The admissions numbered 875 (m. 445, f. 430), or 52 more (m. 1 less and f. 53 more) than in the previous year. Of these 123 (including 3 Maoris) had been previously under care, making the proportion of readmissions 14-06 per cent., and 752 patients (including 13 Maoris) were admitted for the first time. The ratio to population of all admissions (exclusive of Maoris) was 6-46 (m. 6-41, f. 6-51) to 10,000, and of first admissions 5-55 (m. 5-52, f. 5-59), so that 1,548 persons in th.e general population contributed one patient, and 1,799 contributed a patient admitted for the first time. The discharges (excluding transfers) numbered 425, or 53 more than in 1924. I()6 (or 14 more) harmless unrecovered persons were returned to the care of friends, and 319 (m. 144, f. 175) recovered -39 more than last year, representing a percentage of 35-31 (m. 32-36, f. 40-70) on the total admitted. With voluntary boarders added the percentage rises to 42-21. Altogether 52-34 per cent, of the inmates admitted were able to leave institutional care. Of a total of 6,006 patients under care, 324 (m. 201, f. 123) died, or 6-44 per cent, on the average number resident. An inquest is held in the case of every death, whatever the cause. The causes are detailed in Table, XII, and the following is the percentage of causes mainly contributing : Senile decay, 25-61 ; disease of the brain and nervous system group, 31-17 ; heUrt-disease, 14-81 ; tuberculosis, 8-02. In Table XIII the principal causes assigned for the mental breakdown in the admissions are stated ; but as a matter of fact they are merely approximations, and these, with the small numbers

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