H—7

To a number of people not actually on the staff of the hospital I must record my gratitude for their help and interest. Mrs. R. B. S. Reeves, one of the Official Visitors, has visited consistently and has shown a sympathetic interest in our difficulties and an .appreciation of what we have been able to do. Mr. A. Steven, not only an Official Visitor, but also Chaplain to the Patients and Prisoners Aid Society, has been the means of •organizing various concert parties and bands who have entertained us during the year. His weekly visits are looked forward to by many patients. Mr. C. B. Barrowclough, the District Inspector, has been most helpful, and his work in regard to the individual patient who has a grievance has been most painstaking. Mr. I. Wilson, the local Presbyterian minister, has collected funds and established a library for the patients; for his efforts in that, as well as for the way he has carried out his pastoral duties, I have to thank him. The close liaison between this hospital and the Otago Medical School has been maintained, and I am indebted to the Dean, Sir Charles Hercus, and to Professor DAth for much help. I must thank all members of the staff for the good work done, despite many difficulties.

Table I.—Showing the Admissions, Readmissions, Discharges, and Deaths in Mental Hospitals during the Year 1947 M. F. T. In mental hospitals, Ist January, 1947 .. .. .. .. 4,556 4,046 8,602 M. p. T. Admitted for the first time .. .. 597 616 1,213\ -jq 790 j -na Readmitted .. .. .. .. 122 174 296 / Total under care during the year .. .. .. .. 5,275 4,836 10,111 Discharged and died— Recovered .. .. .. .. 236 325 561 Not recovered .. .. .. 154 123 277 Died .. .. .. 318 247 565 — 708 695 1,403 (Not including transfer : males, 68 ; females, 162.) Remaining in mental hospitals, 31st December, 1947 .. .. .. 4,567 4,141 8,708 Increase on 31st December, 1946 .. .. .. .. .. 11 95 106 Average number resident during the year .. .. .. .. 4,309 3,753 8,062

15