Rayson. When bundle of ‘Illustrated London News;’ Mrs. Webster, bundle of illustrated papers ; 36 volumes were purchased at auction out of the offertory account, making altogether 123 interesting books, which are much sought after by the patients. Our best thanks are also due to the proprietor of the ‘Daily Southern Cross’ for supplying us with a copy of that journal every morning. Donations of books, games, &c., will be thankfully received for the benefit of the patients.

Bathing and Water Supply.—Next to a liberal diet and exercise in the open air, I consider bathing most beneficial to the wellbeing of the insane. Some few reluctantly submit to it at first, but they very soon come to like it, and often ask for it before their turn comes; twelve on an average are bathed every morning. It was a great omission when the baths were fitted up that hot water pipes were not laid on, as in the cold of winter hot water has to be carried the whole range of the building for the delicate patients, to whom the cold water would be highly injurious; this incurs great inconvenience and waste of time. Shower baths also have been omitted from the arrangements. I am sorry to report that the water in our well is tainted from the sewerage of the building, which is a very serious matter regarding the health of the inmates. This is much more palpable in the dry season, when the sewers are unflushed by heavy rainfalls. I hope measures will soon be taken to remedy this abomination, as the water is unfit for washing floors, much less for cooking purposes. For the latter the rain water from the tanks on the roof is used, and when that fails it is obtained from a well which has been dug a short distance down the paddock.

Religious Services.—His Lordship, the Bishop of New Zealand, opened the chapel for Divine service on 17th March, and personally officiated every Sunday afternoon at 3.30 p.m. till his departure for England, since which time the services have been regularly carried on by his clergy. Although many of the residents avail themselves of those services, the discourses are mostly of a didactic and descriptive character, and consequently best adapted for the insane portion of the audience, who generally average twenty-five, male and female; Mr. Westmoreland presides at the harmonium and conducts the choral part of the service; he also attends on Saturday afternoon to exercise a class of patients in practising the hymns for the following Sunday. Much pleasure and it is to be hoped benefit have accrued to some from attendance on these services, whilst others attend and conduct themselves mechanically. The Rev. Walter McDonald attends occasionally on Fridays, and reads prayers, &c., to those belonging to his communion... An offertory is taken up at the close of each Sunday service, amounting at the end of the year to £13 17s, which his Lordship, with his usual generosity, directed to be spent for the benefit of the patients. Out of it books have been purchased, and games, pipes, postage-stamps, spectacles, cost of entertainments, and surplice for officiating clergymen have been provided, and contributions to the friendless and destitute, given upon their recovery and discharge from the Asylum.

The Staff consists of one Resident Surgeon, one Head Keeper, five Assistant Keepers, on the male side, and matron, with one assistant on the female side. One baker, who also cooks the food, assisted by convalescent patients. As the keepers are not over paid for the duties they have to perform, I would respectfully suggest that there be two gratuities established, to be given at the end of each year, to the most careful and praiseworthy men during that period. The expense of this arrangement would not be great to the government, and much might be saved, and good ensue to the patients, by encouraging the keepers in the careful performance of their duty. It is no easy matter for a matron, with one assistant, to manage twenty females, a large proportion of whom are violent and noisy; indeed, if there are any more admissions, another assistant will be absolutely necessary to carry on the work.

Sleeping Accommodation.—There are four associated dormitories for the males in the basement story, containing, respectively, 13, 12, 8, and 9 beds, with six single rooms for noisy patients. The average space for each patient is 535 cubic feet. The means of ventilation are very imperfect. In the above is included one of the workshops, which have been converted into a sleeping apartment. The females occupy the rooms of the second story, immediately above the males. Their sleeping space consists of two associated dormitories, with eight single rooms, affording to each 791 cubic feet.

Grounds and Lucrative Labour.—The land available for cultivation amounts to about 15 acres, and has been laid out and drained under the direction of Dr. Pollen, to whom the Institution is greatly indebted for the lively interest taken by him in everything pertaining to its advancement. Grass and oats were sown in April last, which yielded a good crop; part was kept for hay and the remainder eaten by grazers. Three acres of excellent land at the bottom of the grounds have been fenced off for a vegetable garden, which, when it is got into good working order, will yield a profitable return. Besides supplying vegetables for the other provincial establishments it is in contemplation to build a piggery and fatten pigs for the benefit of the institution. The male patients are employed variously, some in the garden, others clearing the shrubbery, flower plots and walks, rolling exercise grounds, assisting in the kitchen, &c.