a seton was carried through the limb, between the ends of the fragments. Considerable inflammation was thus excited in the course of a few days, when the seton was withdrawn. Effusion of callus was thus produced and the fragments are now so far agglutinated, if not consolidated, as to enable the patient to walk a considerable distance with the assistance of a stick.

LIBRARY.—The Library continues in a very tattered condition, and is in great need of replenishing. Mr. Hunter Brown has most generously presented a considerable number of volumes for the use of the patients. The same benefactor also, at his own expense, supplied an air mattress, which has greatly solaced the declining days of a poor cripple labouring under hip-joint disease. Thanks are also due to the proprietors of the Daily Southern Cross and Herald newspapers, who have gratuitously supplied the patients with their valuable journals.

WATER SUPPLY.—The Hospital is in great need of a constant supply of pure water. During the dry weather it was necessary to cart it from a distance, at considerable expense.

ACCOMMODATION.—Much crowding still obtains—18 or 20 being obliged to sleep on the floor of the dining-room, and in the lofts. By transferring the old and infirm to some house of refuge, considerable room might be secured for the remainder.

COAL-SHED.—A coal-shed also is urgently required.

VISITATION.—The hospital visitation during the year has been as follows:—

VISITORS.

His Honor the late Superintendent...... 3

Ladies...................................... 48

Clergymen of the Church of England... 193

„ Rome................................. 99

Presbyterian Ministers.................. 26

Independent do.......................... 21

Wesleyan do............................. 14

Members of Council..................... 10

Commissioner of Waste Lands........... 3

Medical Gentlemen...................... 111

General Public.......................... 58

Total.............................. 586

PROVINCIAL LUNATIC ASYLUM.

The state of the Asylum in 1865 does not differ materially from that of the preceding year. 26 new cases were admitted, being only 1 more than last year; 17 have been discharged, viz.—3 more than last year, while 4 only have died. 5 more remain than at the end of 1865; the total number amounting to 59, viz.—47 males and 12 females. Three of the deaths were old cases—

1st, Henry Tarris, aged 43, a painter; admitted October 28th, 1853, twelve years ago. He was excessively noisy and destructive, but no remarkable change in his health occurred until May last, when he was observed to be jaundiced. Ascites followed, with progressive emaciation and utter prostration. He died on December 16th, and, on examination after death, the liver was found to be in the state of cirrhosis.

2nd fatal case was that of Mary Martin, 31 years, servant; admitted December 26th, 1856. She was the subject of pulmonary consumption, and at length died on May 12th last.

The third case was that of John Sutton, aged 36 years, farmer. He was admitted June 21st, 1862, more on account of eccentric behaviour than the usual symptoms of mental derangement. He also became the subject of tubercular disease of the lungs, and at length died in the hospital on November 18th last. His emaciation was extreme.

The 4th and last fatal case was that of Alexander Stanislaus de Wolff, a Polish barber, aged 40 years. He arrived from England by the ship “Winterthur” on May 25th, and after landing soon attracted the attention of the police. It being apparent he was of unsound mind, he was committed to the asylum in the usual way. He was melancholic rather than maniacal. It was believed that the organization of his brain had been damaged by habits of intemperance, and after some time passed into a state of coma, and died on July 28th. The post mortem examination disclosed inflammation and softening of the brain, with copious subarachnoid effusion, as well as ventricular dropsy. The brain weighed 2lbs. 14oz. It was reported that he had been greatly persecuted on the voyage out.

Most of the cases discharged have turned out very satisfactorily, several having been seen working at their usual employments. They have amounted to two-thirds of the admissions. There are several persons now in the asylum who were sent there either immediately on their arrival or very soon afterwards. During the year, the health of the lunatics has been, generally, excellent—no epidemic has attacked them;—in fact, if we except a few consumptives, a happier or a healthier set of people could not be met with. They are in want of nothing but occupation, and it is to be hoped that in the new state about to be inaugurated in the new establishment at the Whau, this desideratum will be supplied.

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

April 17, 1866.