9

PL-7

A fairly extensive building programme has been in progress throughout the year. The new kitchen and laundry block is now almost ready for occupation, the store indeed being already occupied. The new oil-store and petrol-storage tank were completed early in the year as was a, new bathroom and boilerhouse at Waitati. A new bathroom with boilerhouse attached, and sanitary conveniences for patients and staff were built at Simla. This addition is a particularly pleasing structure and a model of its kind. The day-room at Simla was extended and an extra fireplace added. This addition is much appreciated. Extensive alterations and repairs were completed at the Retreat, Waitati, and the interior of the older portion papered and painted, while improvement was affected in the hot-water supply. New bathrooms, hot-water system, and sanitary conveniences were completed at G Ward early in the year. The boilerhouse at 1) Ward was extended to house an extra electric water-heater, and part of the building converted into a much-needed drying-room. In addition, minor work, such as the building of a new veranda at F 3, the supplying of Cherry Farm with water, the renewal of snow-gratings, the renewal of Clifton House sewer, the renewal of a section of the main sewer below the railway, and the completion of the water-pipe line between the main building and Simla, have been carried out. Works in progress comprise a 6-in.-pipe-line from Double Hill to Seacliff, the excavation of a villa-site at Waitati, a pipe-line to the Neuropathic Unit, repairs to chimney-stacks, and the provision of better lavatory accommodation for Male A Ward and the library. The work on the farm has proceeded steadily under Mr. Gray, the new Farm-manager. In addition to the breaking-in of a small amount of new pasture, the usual routine of top-dressing, fencing, draining, and roadmaking have been proceeded with. The gardens also have been well looked after, and the results achieved show the attention they have received. Work has been carried on as usual at the fishing-station, but the returns have not been very encouraging. The weekly clinic at Dunedin Hospital is being well attended, and a considerable amount of advice given. The Dunedin Hospital at present adopts the policy of keeping suitable patients who show reasonable prospects of recovery in a short time, and in this way some patients have been returned to their homes without admission to the Mental Hospital. Amusements and recreation, as hitherto, have taken their part in the hospital regime : Picture shows weekly, weekly dances during the winter, and occasional concerts being held. Outside amusements such as Summer and Winter Shows, Waikouaiti races, and the circus have been visited, while football, cricket, and croquet have been indulged in in their respective seasons. Although the nursing staff has been considerably depleted at times by sickness, the welfare of the patients has not suffered ; and I would thank the Matrons, Head Attendants, and the nursing staff generally for the way they have carried on, and the good work done under difficult circumstances. The other branches of the staff have also worked well, and I would particularly like to express my appreciation for the assistance the heads of the various branches have given me. My thanks are due to the clergy of different denominations for their regular visits, and to Mr. Gumming, the " Patients' Friend." Mr. Cumming, in addition to his other work, has been instrumental in finding work for patients, and when relatives or friends have been lacking has taken suitable patients out on probation. The hospital is fortunate in its Medical Officers. Their work has reached a high standard, and they have ably assisted me during the year.

STATISTICAL. The patients on the register at the end of the year numbered 6,093 (m. 3,399, f. 2,694), or 191 (m. 125, f. 66) more than at the beginning ; and the daily average under treatment during the year was 5,710 (m. 3,215, f. 2,495), or 131 (m. 95, f. 36) more than in the previous year, while the total under care was 6,948. Patients belonging to the Native race numbered 93 (m. 49, f. 44) at the end of the year. The admissions numbered 956 (m. 549, f. 407), (m. 43 more and f. 43 less) than in the previous year. Of these, 146 had been previously under care, making the proportion of readmissions 15-27 per cent., and 810 patients were admitted for the first time. The ratio to population of all admissions (exclusive of Maoris) was 6-66 (m. 7-54, f. 5-75) to 10,000, and of first admissions 5-65 (m. 6-60, f. 4-67), so that 1,499 persons in the general population contributed one patient, and 1,767 contributed a patient admitted for the first time. The discharges (excluding transfers) numbered 385, or 26 more than in 1928. 96 (or 14- less) harmless unrecovered persons were returned to the care of friends, and 289 (m. 145, f. 144) recovered —40 more than last year, representing a percentage of 30-23 (m. 26-41, f. 35-37) on the total admitted. With voluntary boarders added the percentage rises to 42-67. Altogether, 50-57 per cent, of the inmates admitted were able to leave institutional care. Of a total of 6,948 patients under care, 380 (m. 227, f. 153) died, or 6-65 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 decav, 23-68: disease of the brain and nervous system group, 26-05; heart-disease, 21-84 ; tuberculosis, 5-00.

2 —FT. 7.