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Deaths numbered 32 (males 18, females 14), senile decay being the principal cause. Forty cases were discharged, 29 (male 12 and female 17) being recovered, 6 taken out by relatives, and 5 were transferred. Voluntary boarders under treatment numbered 14 men and 6 women, 7 being new admissions. Six men were discharged recovered. No major works have been completed during the year. At present the sewerage system is being renewed, a digester built, and parts of the water-main from Te Awamutu are being replaced. A new refrigerating plant has been installed, and two new villas are in course of construction. The painting gang has been at work throughout the year. The usual recreations —tennis, bowls, cricket, swimming, &c. —have been carried on, and for the second year in succession the hospital team won the district championship at table tennis. The weekly talking-picture entertainment is much appreciated. The Te Awamutu Band have given several enjoyable recitals and Mr. Findlay, Official Visitor, has brought several excellent concert parties. The various church services have been regularly held. One attendant and five nurses passed the senior examination. In conclusion I have to express my thanks to all the staff for their co-operation and help during the year.

PORIRUA MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Hart reports : — I have the honour to submit my annual report for the year ending 31st December, 1935. The total number of persons under care during the year was 2,054, of whom 1,827 were committed patients, 215 voluntary boarders, and 12 were remanded for observation. Admissions number 389 —295 under certification and 94 as voluntary boarders. During the year 79 voluntary boarders and 84 patients under certification were discharged, and an additional 88 patients following treatment were sufficiently improved to go on probation to the care of relatives or friends. Deaths number 107, and 86 patients were transferred to other hospitals. The Psychiatric Clinic at the Wellington Public Hospital continues to function satisfactorily. Consultations and attendances for treatment numbered 694, and of these 163 were new cases. As additional equipment a vibrator was purchased for the physio-therapy department at Rauta. As an adjunct to psycho-therapy this unit with its trained staff and equipment provides for massage, light therapy, radiant heat, exercises and organized recreations, and has been of very material help in the treatment of recent and recoverable cases. Porirua has the largest resident population of our hospitals, and one feels that the stage has now been reached when the erection and equipment of a modern laboratory and the addition of a trained pathologist to the medical staff can be considered as a necessary and justifiable expenditure. This hospital, being centrally situated, as well as carrying out our own X-ray, bacteriological and pathological examinations, a considerable proportion of the laboratory work for the other mental hospitals in New Zealand could conveniently be undertaken. This unit would provide opportunities for research, greatly assist in investigation of that ever-important relationship between mental and physical disorders, and place this hospital on an equal footing with the more modern and advanced pyschiatric hospitals of overseas. Patient accommodation during the year was somewhat relieved by the transfer of 65 patients to the new villas at Kingseat, but the accommodation is still overtaxed to the extent of 185 men and 124 women. The office and store accommodation has for some time been very unsatisfactory. Plans have been prepared for a reorganization of the administration block and the erection of a new store. When completed the new facilities should allow for an efficient administration of this section of the hospital. The kitchen in the main building has to cook for approximately one thousand persons, and one of the more urgent needs is a new or an enlarged kitchen with the addition of modern appliances to cope efficiently with this task. The steam-boilers at the main building will have to be replaced within a year if the cooking, laundry, and central-heating facilities are to be maintained at a reasonable level of efficiency. No major structural changes to buildings have been undertaken during the year, but the artisan staff have been constantly employed at maintenance work and at minor alterations and improvements to existing buildings. Some of the latter were alterations to the hot-water service in M. 8, extension of urinals in M. 7, renewal of slates, roofs (main building), renovations of six staff cottages and renovations to roofs of five villas. The farm returns for the year were satisfactory, but the absence of sufficient land for herd grazing makes it impossible for the farm to supply the hospital the whole year round with milk. Additional acreage has been set aside for vegetable growing. The water catchment area was fenced and some 12,000 trees were planted in the high country. Patients' recreation has been well provided for in the way of golf, tennis, concerts, fortnightly dances, and weekly cinema. I am indebted to many people and certain societies for their contribution of books and magazines to the library, donations of money and goods to the Christmas Fund. The Rev. Mr. Harding continues to visit frequently, and his enthusiasm and untiring efforts in arranging concerts, picnics, and the donation of wireless sets are much appreciated by all. The official visitors have visited frequently during the year. In conclusion I must thank all the staff for their assistance in the work of the hospital,

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