78

F.

ANNUAL REPORT OF KARORI LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Wellington, 17th February, 1873.

Sir,—

I have the honor to enclose the annual Report of the Lunatic Asylum, for the past year, including forms of classification and admissions.

I have, &c.,

CHARLES FRANCE,

Medical Attendant Karori Asylum.

His Honor the Superintendent.

Of the twenty-seven patients in the Asylum on 1st January, 1873, the majority are suffering from Dementia, are incurable, and have been inmates for several years.

Of eight admitted during last year, five remain, one of them is suffering from hereditary madness, being sister to another patient; the father died in the Asylum, and the mother also a lunatic, is now in the Hospital.

The other three females appear to be suffering from a natural weakness of intellect just sufficient to prevent their gaining their own living, but I am afraid they will never be much better than at present.

The eighth, a male, has been very quiet and obedient, but being upward of fifty years old, and a case of relapse, is doubtful.

The general health of the patients at the Asylum has for many years been very good. The only epidemic of any kind I have seen, happened last October, nearly all the female patients being attacked with influenza and a few of the males. It resulted in the death of an old patient Mrs. Slow, in the seventh year of her residence. Others have only lately recovered from its effects, and the health generally of the patients is again good in spite of much crowding in the sleeping rooms.

CHARLES FRANCE,
Medical Attendant.

G.

REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE.

Police Office,
Wellington, 8th April, 1873.

Sir,—

I have the honor to report that the strength of the Police Force on the 31st March last, was as follows:

Inspector, two first class sergeants, three second class sergeants, and twenty-five constables. Nine of the constables are stationed in the city, four in Wanganui, and twelve, who are mounted constables, in various up country districts.

A new police station has been erected at Manawatu, during the past year.

Tenders have been accepted for a station at Bull’s (Rangitikei).

It is desirable that a station with lock-up attached, should be erected at Foxton without delay. These districts are rapidly growing into importance, and the works now in progress having attracted a large number of people, the necessity of such buildings is becoming more apparent every day. The district of Greytown stands next most in need of a station and lock-up.

The absence of a proper lock-up in the districts above mentioned, is frequently felt, as in the case of a person charged with a serious offence, the constable is obliged to convey the prisoner to his own house, and remain, with him, both night and day, until an opportunity offers of forwarding him to his destination. The constable’s whole time is thus occupied, and other duties necessarily suspended.

A lock-up at Wanganui is also much required; should the Government decide to erect a building for this purpose, I would suggest that a site at the back of the Court House might be selected.

The station and lock-up at Te Aro require repairing, and additional accommodation should be provided for the constables stationed there, as the room now set apart for this purpose is altogether inadequate.