IL—7.

The health of the patients has been very good ; there were 69 deaths, the chief cause being senile decay. Professor Hercus and the staff of the Bacteriological Department have given valued assistance in research work, more particularly with reference to general paralysis and to goitre. There were again only two deaths associated with general paralysis. In 1930 a complete survey of the number of goitres was made, and the figures were as follows : — Females .. .. .. 214, goitres out of 468 patients, 45-7 per cent. Males .. .. .. 122, goitres out of 391 patients, 31-2 per cent. In November, 1936, a further survey was made, and 93 males and 128 females were found to have goitre, the female percentage being 27 per cent, and the male 17.6 per cent. This reduction is due to the use of iodized salt for all purposes. It can definitely be said that none of our patients have developed goitre since the use of iodized salt. It is interesting to note that when the first survey was made, the largest percentage of goitres was in the chronic wards, but the reverse is now the case. Two villas are almost ready for occupation at Jenkin's Farm, Templet.on ; the workshop block is completed, and several lads are being taught useful trades there. The water-supply at Templet.on is not working as satisfactorily as was expected, and it may be necessary to build storage tanks as has been done at Sunnyside. The alterations and extensions to the female dining-room at Sunnyside have been completed and have added materially to the comfort of the patients. Other works of importance completed during the year have been the erection of a vegetable-house and alterations to the kitchen yards. A new bakehouse is well under way. We have had a very successful year on the farm, and the prospects for the harvest are very good. Many concerts and dance parties have visited the institution and have been a source of enjoyment to the patients. I have to thank them and the companies who provided the picture programmes weekly throughout the year. Mr. Acland, District Inspector, and the Official visitors—Mrs. Williams and Mr. Hanna—have regularly visited the institutions and have taken a keen interest in the welfare of the patients. The transfer of Dr. Lewis to Porirua was a distinct loss both to Sunnyside and Templeton. I have to thank him for his valued help during the past few years, and also Drs. Bellringer and Couston for their assistance. As we are short of a medical officer, much extra work has been placed upon them. I have to thank Mr. Thomas and the office staff, the matrons, head attendants, and other heads of departments for their very efficient service, and the staff as a whole for the way the work of the institution has been carried out.

SEACLIFF MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Hayes reports : — I have the honour to present my annual report for the year ended 31st- December, 1936. The total number of patients under care during the year was 1,382. There were 146 admissions, of which 127 were first admissions, 14 readmissions, and five transfers. Discharges numbered 55, of which 32 were recovered. Voluntary boarders under care were 60 in number, of whom 29 were admitted during the year ; 21 were discharged and 8 committed. Deaths were 87, the principal causes being senile decay and heart-disease. At the beginning of the year there were 1,236 patients and 31 boarders, while at the end there were 1,184 patients and 30 boarders. The reduction in population of 53 was due to the transfer of 51 patients (female) to Hokitika in December. This reduction in the female population has rendered the overcrowding in that division negligible (6), but the male side is still seriously overcrowded (148). The proposed additions to Clifton House should help both the overcrowding and classification problems, and I regret that to date it has not been started. During the year the following more important public works have been completed. The new male shower-bath room is in operation. A new dining-room has been added to D. ward, and this is a welcome addition, as the degraded type of patient had hitherto to use the main dining hall. The female cottage was improved by enlarging the dormitory and reconstructing the lavatory accommodation. The evacuated female wing (F. 1) was demolished and the building closed to conform with the original design. It will be a matter for consideration later to evacuate the remaining female wing (F. 2 and F. 3). The morgue was renovated and suitably equipped. In addition, renovation has been carried out in many parts of the institution and general painting maintained. A new entrance-gate and drive has been constructed to permit of the proposed enlargement to Clifton House, and is also an improvement upon the former one. The farm has progressed and there has been a decided improvement in our dairy herds with increase of milk-production. A new egg-store has been built at the poultry-farm and should improve our conditions for preserving. A start has been made on tree-planting from our own seed. In September the shorter hours for the nursing staff led to an increase in our establishment of 26 nurses and 27 attendants. The increase in the effective staff available through the newly created special shift has already resulted in improvement in conditions. A considerable number of patients of both sexes now are able to sit up until 10 p.m. The benefit resulting from this is already reflected in better sleeping in the dormitories concerned.

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