H.—7.

MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS' REPORTS.

AUCKLAND MENTAL HOSPITAL. Db. Buchanan reports : — I have the honour to present my annual report for the year ended 31st December, 1935. The total number of cases under care during the year was 1,576, with a weekly average of 1,170. The admissions numbered 303 (145 males, 158 females). Of this number, 223 were admitted for the first time. Under section Bof the Mental Defectives Amendment Act, 165 patients were admitted. Ninety-four voluntary boarders were admitted during the year, making a total of 212 under care, and of these 82 were discharged. At the end of the year 186 patients were on probation, 140 on full parole, and 198 on limited parole. Generally the health of the patients has been good throughout the year. Deaths totalled 110 (54 males, 56 females). The hospital was honoured by the visit of His Excellency the Governor-General on the Bth July. I left Auckland in April to take up six months' temporary duty at Porirua. Dr. B. D. Hart took my place as Superintendent during this period. The actual constructive work carried out has been small; most of our energies have been directed towards maintenance. The new hot-water supply and additional boiler-capacity were completed and now give satisfaction. A library has been built on to the bowling-green pavilion,, and promises to be a bright and interesting centre for parole patients. Extra covered cow-bails were built on to the byres, and provided much desired shelter during inclement weather. On the male side the increasing number of recent cases and convalescents is taxing our accommodation the utmost. The admission ward, Wolfe Home, and hospital wards are generally full. The admission of new patients frequently requires a lot of juggling among these wards in an endeavour to prevent long-period recoverable cases (such as mild melancholia, of whom we have many) being sent into main building wards. Unfortunately, we cannot- always prevent this. Existing main building wards are not altogether suitable for such patients. I hope to put forward concrete proposals to you for an additional observation ward. It is a difficult question to solve without entailing new building, but it may be possible to transform a part of the auxiliary building into such a ward. This will necessitate increased staff, which, I think, under the circumstances would be justifiable. A separate institution for children now seems indicated. As you are aware, many parents living around and in Auckland are averse to sending their children to Nelson or Templeton. We have, in consequence, a growing number of defective children in our several wards who would be better segregated. Such a ward may be made available when the next lot of female patients is transferred to the new villas at Kingseat, now under construction. Criminal inmates and dangerous patients are yet another problem, and I hope that your recommendation for the separation of these cases will bear fruit. The Psychiatric Clinic remains a very active centre. The relative figures are : Tuesdays. Total. (1) Number of separate persons seen .. M. 235 56 291 F. 36 36 72 271 92 363 (2) Number of — («) First visits .. .. .. .. 234 71 305 (b) Subsequent consultations .. .. 676 653 1,329 910 724 1,634 (3) Sources of reference Tuesdays. Thursdays. Pensions Department .. .. .. 191 12 203 Medical practitioners .. .. ..52 61 113 Voluntary calls.. .. .. ..9 19 28 Prisons Department .. .. ..16 .. 10 Psychological Clinic .. .. 2 .. 2 Porirua Mental Hospital .. 1 ~ i 271 92 363 .(4) of the 363 persons who attended the clinic, 13 became voluntary boarders and 10 were committed to the Mental Hospital. Of the 13 voluntary boarders, 2 were discharged " recovered," 7 " relieved," and 1 died. Of the 10 committed cases, 1 was discharged on probation. Monthly visits were paid to the Inebriates' Homes on Rotoroa and Pakatoa Islands. The annual picnic, unfortunately, had to be cancelled owing to stormy weather. In its place a special entertainment was held in the institution, which all seemed to enjoy thoroughly.

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