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NELSON MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Williams reports : — I have the honour to present my annual report for the year ending 31st December, 1935. The total number of persons under care during the year was 792, of whom 33 were voluntary boarders. Sixty-nine patients were admitted, 16 were discharged, 21 were transferred to other institutions, whilst 29 died. Twenty patients were admitted under section Bof the 1928 Amendment Act. The health of the patients generally was satisfactory, though there was the usual fairly large amount of sickness amongst the children during the winter and spring months. No serious accidents occurred. The number of deaths (29) was larger than that of the previous year, but it is to be noted that 11 of these were due purely to senile causes. During the past year, the construction of two new female villas was commenced, and this work is nearing completion. The contract has been let for a sixth female villa. The laundry and powerhouse have been completed, and have been in full working order for the latter half of the year. The laundry is proving most efficient, and the amount of work done and the quality of this is infinitely better than under the conditions obtaining with the old laundry. The power-house, which is in operation for the full twenty-four hours daily, and provides the power for laundry and generates all the electricity required for Ngawhatu, is proving also most efficient and the quality of the light is very much better than that supplied previously. There are ample reserves of power and electricity for any future contingencies. A good deal of roading work has been carried out and is continuing, as is the case with the layingout of the grounds in Yorks Valley. The painting party has been very busy, and much work has been done in the wards generally, more particularly at Nelson, and with pleasing results. The sun-porch in male ward at Nelson has been glassed in. A tentative plan of building at Ngawhatu for the coming year has been proposed and should this be carried out as outlined the conditions then obtaining should challenge favourable comparison with those at any mental hospital. The erection, in addition, of another villa for male workers is the only further necessity I can suggest at Ngawhatu. Anti-flv measures have been carried out with some considerable measure of success. The usual activities have proceeded on the farm, vegetable gardens, and orchards, and returns generally have been considerably improved. An experimental tobacco-crop has been planted, but it is somewhat early to prognose results. The white butterfly has made its appearance, but arrangements have been made to secure parasites to combat this pest. The patients have been reasonably well catered for in the matter of recreation and amusements generally, and it is situation and difficulty of transport only which limit activities at all in this direction. The installation of a talking-machine at Ngawhatu would undoubtedly entertain many more than is at present possible, and in addition a very considerable saving would be made in cost of transport and admittance fees. My thanks are due to many individuals, business firms, and societies in Nelson for their continued support and interest, and for donations of money and goods for recreation purposes. Miss Cooksey and her party have been particularly good, and the Sunshine Fund organized by Mrs. Scantlebury for the provision of picnics for the children has been even more than usually successful this year. _ To the Official Visitors, to the visiting Ministers of Religion, and to the staff generally, for their co-operation and assistance during the year, I also wish to express my thanks.

HOKITIKA MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Childs reports I have the honour to present my annual report for the year ended 31st December, 1935. At the beginning of the year the patients on the register numbered 427. The admissions proper for the year were 28, while 8 male patients were received on transfer. The discharges numbered 15, transfers to other hospitals 6, and deaths 24. The total number under treatment during the year was 463, the number remaining on the register at the end of the year being 418. There were 4 voluntary boarders on the register at the beginning of the year, and during the year 5 were admitted and 3 discharged. Except for two epidemics of influenza, one rather severe, the health of most of the patients has been good, the majority of the deaths being due to senility. A modern residence has been erected for the head attendant. A new morgue and a new tool-shed have been built, and the old morgue dismantled, while a new villa for female patients is in the course of construction. The usual routine of farming operations have been carried out; fourteen acres of land have been cleared and left fallow, and main drains cut so that future land can be taken in. Ten acres of last year's fallow land have been grassed, while the grounds around Porere have been drained, levelled, and lawns laid down. The vegetable-garden has also been increased considerably. The painting gang has been continuously employed throughout the year, and the usual maintenance work carried on. A monthly clinic has been held at Greymouth, and visits have been paid to the Westland Hospital.

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