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The past year saw the erection and occupation of the first three villas of the female division at Yorks Valley. The pleasing appearance and ideal location of these wards are commented upon by all visitors. A modern laundry, boiler-house, and electric generating plant have been erected at Ngawhatu, and when minor machinery installations are completed the plant will be ready for operation. As a reserve water-supply for Yorks, a 40,000 gallon ferro-concrete reservoir is at present under construction, which, when completed, will be connected with the fire-reticulation service which has recently been extended to Yorks and around the female wards. All wards at Ngawhatu have been connected up with a modern telephone system. Apart from general maintenance work, the following have been constructed by the Artisan staff : At Ngawhatu the erection of a glass-house, shearing-shed, a pavilion for the sports ground, and additions to the farm-manager's cottage. At Nelson the glassing-in of a sun veranda for the children at El Nido. Twenty-four chains of road were constructed in the vicinity of the new villas. A croquet-lawn was laid down near Rata, and an area has been set aside and planted as a nursery for shrubs and flowers. A considerable amount of labour has been employed in excavating, laying out of grounds, flower-beds, and the planting of trees in Yorks Valley. The usual activities have continued on the farm, orchards, and vegetable gardens. The farm returns for the year ending March, 1934, were somewhat below those for the previous year, mainly due to the dry spell experienced during the latter part of the season. Present indications are for improved returns for the year ending March, 1935. By the addition of seven wireless sets during the year all wards at Nelson and Ngawhatu are now equipped with radio. Two additional billiard-tables were purchased for the male wards. During the year the patients have been well catered for in respect to amusements and recreations. Weekly parties to the pictures, visits by the Nelson Band, concert parties, tennis, cricket, swimming sports, dances, and trips to the beach. During the year a social club was formed by the members of the staff. The funds from this club have provided for a small circulating library, magazines, and periodicals for the staff sitting-rooms. I am indebted to many individuals, business firms, and societies of Nelson for their continued interest in the patients' welfare in their donations of money and goods towards the Recreation Fund. My thanks are due to the various visiting Ministers who have held religious services at the Hospital throughout the year, and to Mrs. Scantlebury for her continued and successful efforts in the organization of the Children's Sunshine Fund. In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation to the staff for their efficient assistance in the work of the year.

HOKĪTĪKA MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Childs reports : — I have the honour to submit my report for the year ended 31st December, 1934. At the beginning of the year the patients on the register numbered 381. The admissions proper for the year numbered 19, while 54 were received on transfer, 50 of these being female patients from Seacliff. The discharges numbered 11 and the transfers to other hospitals were 3. The total number under treatment during the year was 454, while the number remaining on the register at the end of the year was 427. There were 5 voluntary boarders on the register at the beginning of the year, and during the year 6 were admitted, 5 discharged, and 2 died. Except for an epidemic of influenza, the health of the patients generally has been good, the number of deaths being 13, a majority being due to senility. A new modern villa with accommodation for 50 women was opened and occupied in August. The villa is an open one, being for the greater part occupied by patients transferred from Seacliff. All inmates of this villa are allowed parole. The usual farming operations have been carried out; 10 acres of land having been stumped, grubbed, drained, and left fallow for the year, while 11 acres of last year's fallow land has been grassed. The grounds in front of 'Wio have been drained, levelled, and grassed to make a lawn. The clinic at the Greymouth Hospital has been held monthly, while occasional visits have been paid to the Westland Hospital. The painting gang has been employed throughout the year, maintenance-work to the older buildings has been carried on, and the isolation ward has been improved. The usual games and recreations have been carried on, and I would like to thank the Hokitika Municipal Band for its many visits, especially to play dance music. Thanks are also due to others who have helped to entertain the patients during the year, and to those who gave gifts at Christmas-time. Mr. Dale, who had been an attendant at the hospital for thirty-two years, the last four of which he was Head Attendant, retired on superannuation at the end of the year. He took a great interest in the patients and the hospital generally, and, to show the appreciation in which he was held, was farewelled by the whole hospital staff. Thanks are due to the clergy and the Official Visitors, whose visits have been appreciated. I desire to thank the staff for their support and help they have given during the year.

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