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TOKANUI MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. CJhilds reports — I have the honour to submit my report for the year ended December, 1928. On the Ist January there were 345 patients in the Hospital (221 males and 124 females), the number under care during the year being 432 (280 males and 152 females), while the average resident number was 367 (238 males and 129 females). The cases admitted number 87 (59 males and 28 females), and of these 55 (28 males and 27 females) were admitted for the first time. Four males were readmitted, and 28 (27 males and 1 female) were transfers from other hospitals. Eighteen patients were discharged, 15 being males and 3 females ; 10 of these (9 males and 1 female) were transfers to other hospitals. The deaths numbered 16 (9 males and 7 females) there being no special contributing factor. At the beginning of the year there were 10 voluntary boarders in hospital (2 males and 8 females), and during the year 5 males and 9 females have been admitted : 13 of these were admitted for the first time. Four males and 6 females have been discharged, while I died. During the year 13 male and 10 female patients were granted probation. One Maori woman gave birth to a full-time male child, with no subsequent improvement in her mental condition. The general health of the patients during the year has been good. There was a mild outbreak of influenza, * but no deaths. The system of parole has gradually been extended, and, as the Hospital is some distance from any town, the majority of the male patients enjoy parole of some sort. Various minor improvements have been made to the Hospital, and this adds to the general welfare of the patients. The work of beautifying the grounds and the making of lawns lias been proceeded with, and, although there is still much to be done, a distinct improvement has been noted. A new dormitory has been added to No. 1 Camp, the old dormitory has been renovated and made into a living-room, while extra accommodation has been provided for the staff. It now houses fourteen chronic working-patients, and for that type of patient conditions could hardly be improved. The work of excavating the sites for the new villas now in process of erection was performed by the patients, a number of whom had been looked upon as unsuitable for work. Most of them were found capable of doing work of some kind and since the excavations have been completed they have been employed in levelling the new playing-field. The new villas cannot be ready too soon, as extra accommodation is urgently required. Recreation has formed a considerable part of the Hospital life, fortnightly dances in the winter, occasional concerts, and weekly pictures being held. The Australasian Films (N.Z.), Ltd., supply a good class of film for the latter free of charge. Outdoor games such as bowls, croquet, and cricketwere indulged in, while swimming and picnic parties were held when the weather allowed. The patients also attend any outside entertainment that is suitable. A fancy-dress ball was held during the year, and proved very popular, while the annual picnic was also a success. Lectures and demonstrations have been given to the nursing staff during the year ; five candidates entered for the senior examination, all gaining certificates, two gaining a first-class one. A canteen was opened during the year for the benefit of staff and patients, the proceeds to go to the patients' recreation fund. It has served a useful purpose, and has been a success. The work on the farm has proceeded steadily, and since a large part of the estate has been transferred to the Prisons Department a great improvement has been noted. Water has been laid on to several paddocks, new buildings have been added, and new machinery installed ; while, in addition to the usual routine, fencing, draining, and roadmaking have been proceeded with. The Official Visitors, Mr. Batson and Mrs. Wood, have been most attentive in their duties, Mrs. Wood in particular sparing no amount of time and trouble in her efforts to provide gifts and promote the welfare of the patients generally. All sections of the staff have shown zeal in the way they have performed their duties, and I wish to thank them for the way they have endeavoured to make the interest of the patients and the Hospital their chief concern. This particularly applies to the heads of the various branches, who are always ready to work for the Hospital as a whole. PORIRUA MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Hayes reports I have the honour to present my report for the year 1928. On the Ist January there were 1,408 patients (762 males and 646 females) ; at the end of the year there were 1,508 patients (820 males and 688 females). The total admissions for the year were 332 (192 males and 140 females). The number discharged was 94, of whom 81 were recovered. The total under care was 1,740, and the number of deaths was 108. The principal causes of death were senile decay, circulatory disease, and general paralysis of the insane. At the beginning of the year there were 67 voluntary boarders, and at the end of the year 75. The total number of voluntary boarders was 63 (36 males and 27 females) ; readmitted 15, and discharged 68. One was committed, and 2 died. During the year track has been kept of the admissions in relation to the section of the Hospital into which they were originally received, and their subsequent disposal. The total number of admissions during the year was 410. The following shows the disposal of the cases : Admissions—To main institution, 163; to neuropathic (curative) division, 247 ; Discharge or probation —From main institution, 14 ; from neuropathic division, 93. Transferred —From institution, 5 ; from neuropathic division to main institution, 66. These figures, of course, do not illustrate the full possibilities of the discharges, as towards the latter end of the year many of the cases would not have had timeto improve.