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but is mainly the result of Chronic Disease, occurring chiefly in persons of very intemperate habits.

Diseases of the Brain and Spinal Cord,
also those of the Heart, Liver, and Kidneys,
have prevailed most amongst the European patients, clearly traceable in most instances to the debasing vice of habitual intoxication.

Among the aboriginal natives Scrofula still prevails to a considerable extent; two in-door patients succumbed to this intractable malady.

It is very gratifying to find that their confidence in Hospital treatment is much increased, for by referring to Return No. 1, A, it will be seen that the Hospital afforded relief to nearly double the number of in-door native patients that applied for admission in 1857.

Among other operations performed at the Hospital was one on a native chief, of great influence, from Coromandel Harbour; it consisted in the extirpation of a tumour: the operation being successful, I believe had a powerful influence in removing much of their previous prejudice against the Hospital.

As the amount of Hospital accommodation does not by any means meet the requirements of the increasing population, I am glad to find that your Honor has resolved on immediately enlarging the present building.

2nd. Lunatic Asylum, B.—In this Institution it will be observed, by referring to Table No. 1, B, that thirty-nine cases of Lunacy have been treated during the year 1858, giving an increase of fourteen over those treated in 1857. The number admitted was eighteen, but four of these had been previously under treatment in the Asylum, and re-admitted during 1858, three had been transferred from the Hospital and Gaol, where they had been under treatment during 1857, two have been brought from Southern Provinces, and one arrived insane from England: thus it will appear that there have been eight recent cases of insanity in the Auckland Province during the year 1858; of those brought from the South one is an aboriginal native, and one of the eight recent cases is a native also.

Six patients were cured and two died during the year; these figures show thirty-three and one third per cent. of recoveries upon the number admitted, and about five per cent. of deaths on the number resident: it is worthy of notice that, notwithstanding all their superior advantages, and possessing all the necessary appliances, that the average per centage of recoveries in the Asylums of Europe and America is only a trifle higher than that of our Asylum here, while the per centage of deaths is nearly double—five out of six cures were effected in June and July, the coldest months.

In a new country like New Zealand, where all the adult European population are immigrants, of whose early history little is known, the means of ascertaining the causes of Insanity are too limited to afford a trustworthy statistical basis, with few exceptions, however, the malady is clearly traceable directly or indirectly to intemperance: it would therefore be unfair to ascribe the amount of Insanity which prevails in New Zealand to atmospheric or climatical causes. I have prepared a Table No. 3, B, exhibiting, so far as can be ascertained, the causes of the various cases of Insanity in this Asylum during 1858.

I last year reported that I had endeavoured to relieve the monotony of confinement by providing for the patients a Library of useful and entertaining books, a Piano, Bagatelle board, Musical box, &c.: as the more vigorous of the insane must be busy at some thing—if not at work, at mischief—I have had a garden enclosed, which affords daily employment to those who are able for out-door exercise.

It affords me great pleasure, notwithstanding the defective construction of the building and other disadvantages, to be able to state, that, in my treatment of the Insane I have entirely done away with even the appearance of mechanical restraint—the straight waistcoat is to be found only in the records of the past. I have always found that the great and only real substitute for restraint is invariable kindness. I have seldom had recourse even to the temporary seclusion of patients, although a salutary exclusion of causes of excitement from an already irritated brain is a remedy which the soundest principles of medicine would recognize in every disease of excitement.

A small addition has been made to the building during the year, which has added considerably to the health and comfort of the patients, but more room is needed even for its present inmates.

3rd. Prisons, C.—On the subject of Prisons my remarks must necessarily be brief, as those establishments were remarkably healthy. In the stockade there were only twelve cases of sickness, and these slight and unimportant.

In the City Gaol, although it never was so crowded as during 1858, the number on the sick list was much less than in any previous year—seventy-three cases only requiring medical relief; Return No. 2, C, shows the character of these complaints.

In conclusion, I am happy to be able to state that in the Province of Auckland there has been no epidemic calling for any special observations, and the year may be pronounced to have been very healthy throughout: indeed I may assert, without fear of contradiction, that a large amount of the disease set forth in the accompanying Returns has been imported into the country, and I believe the climate of New Zealand is fairly entitled to the credit of restoring many to their former health. I cannot give a better proof of the salubrity of the climate than that acute diseases are rare, and whenever they occur, seldom have a fatal termination.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,
Your Honor’s most obedient,
humble servant,

T. F. McGATRAN,
Provincial Surgeon.

To his Honor the Superintendent,
Auckland.