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of them successfully, excepting two, the burn and compound fracture above mentioned.

It ought to be mentioned that my charge of the Hospital commenced on June 1st, 1859, extending over a period of seven months, at which date there were forty Patients, thirty-one Males and nine Females. On the 21st July the additional wing was opened, affording accommodation for sixteen Male Patients, and comprehending a bath-room with boiler and furnace, cistern, &c., and a day room where the convalescent patients take their meals comfortably together. The dimensions of the day room are similar to those of the new ward above-mentioned and are 43 feet long and 17 feet wide. The ventilation of both is excellent. The average accommodation for sick may be stated at fifty beds—below which complement our number of Patients rarely sinks.

Considering that about one-half of the inmates are not (strictly speaking) sick, but simply infirm and not confined to their beds, but permitted to range about the grounds, the instances of breach of discipline are not numerous. Notwithstanding, a few gross offenders have been summarily dismissed.

The majority seem contented and comfortable, a result much promoted by the reading of books, of which a larger supply and better class are much needed.

The state of the Hospital bedding, and clothing has become such as to require immediate attention.

The supply of rations during the year has been regular, and the quality of the provisions creditable to the contractors.

In concluding my Reports on the Hospital I may mention that our Hospital Staff consists of the following personnel:

1 Surgeon
1 House Steward
1 Head-Nurse
1 Assistant-Nurse
1 Matron
1 Cook.

Most of the cases under treatment at present are doing well.

Recovered to return to their families or follow their usual occupations.

1. The first death was Catherine McDonald, admitted August 12, 1857, a Nova Scotian, who had long laboured under mental derangement. The date of her decease was prior to my appointment, February 13th, 1859.

2. The second was Edward Lawson, ætat 33 years, admitted for Mania, April 29th, 1859. He was sent to Auckland from the Northward, having been put on shore by the Captain of a coasting vessel and abandoned some time previously. He was in a wretched condition on admission, morally, mentally, and physically, and eventually died, July 10th, 1859.

3. The third fatal case was a very old man, James Jeffries, admitted for Mania, September 1st, 1858, and dying of exhaustion on October 1st, 1859.

4. The fourth and last case was Te Puri, an Aboriginal Native, admitted for Mania, November 3rd, 1858, and dying of Pulmonary Consumption on November 10th, 1859.

Of those at present in the Asylum, the prospect of cure in most instances is very doubtful, but it is hoped that a few of them will ultimately be restored. They are all in excellent bodily health and have good appetites. They are treated with great kindness by the Keeper and Matron, for both of whom they entertain a filial regard. They are ruled by the power of kindness only, physical restraint and coercion being never restored to.

Within the last six months, the Asylum has been furnished with enclosed yards for the Male and Female Patients respectively, to which they have free access at all times, and have the advantage of fresh air and exercise. Such of the patients as can be trusted are permitted at proper times to take exercise in the paddock outside.

Since the last report, iron stretchers have been provided for the dormitories, where the Patients before used to sleep on the floor. There has been made also a considerable addition to the western wing of the Asylum, affording increased accommodation for the Female Patients and the family of the head-keeper. A detached kitchen and store room, together with a drying room and straw house have also been recently erected, all materially tending to the completeness of the establishment and the comfort of the inmates. The staff of the Asylum consists of the Head-Keeper, two Under-Keepers, the Matron and Assistant-Matron.

PROVINCIAL LUNATIC ASYLUM

In reporting on the Provincial Lunatic Asylum I have to mention, that on taking Medical charge of that institution, I found in it (June 1, 1859) thirty-four Patients, of whom twenty-four were Men and ten Women. Since that time there have been nine admissions, which with seven previously admitted amount to sixteen, ten Males and six Females, the total admissions for 1859. The number discharged during the year has been seven, consisting of four Males and three Females. The deaths have amounted to four, comprehending three Males and one Female, and the number remaining at the close of the year is thirty-three, including twenty-two Men and eleven Women. Of the new cases for 1859, eight may be regarded as Melancholia, sixteen Mania, and two Idiocy. The exciting causes were intemperance; family dissensions; hereditary transmission, &c. Seven (Men four, Females three) have been discharged, sufficiently recovered.

PROVINCIAL PRISONS, CITY GAOL, AND STOCKADE

My observations on the Provincial Prisons need not be tedious. The Tabular Returns speak for themselves. Very few cases of serious disease have occurred during the year in either Prison, and no deaths. The prisoners are well fed and moderately exercised and appear to be as contented as their condition can be expected to permit.

T. M. PHILSON, M.D.,
Provincial Surgeon.

Auckland, January, 1860.