22
Guiseppe Fanelli) I was lately able to go thoroughly into the case and we are of opinion that this patient is likely to last sometime 2 years or longer.
In view of 2, 3, and 4 I think that it is now a question for His Excellency's decision as to whether it would not be cheaper for this Government to pay his passage to Germany sooner than continue keeping him here. The Senior Ward- master of the Asylum proposes shortly applying for leave (after 6 years' service) and as he has been the whole time with Ahrens he could easily manage him, presuming his leave is granted, the Government defraying both passages ($605, about) - Ahrens' inheri- tance, if we get it, going towards part payment of this sum.
As I have remarked above his noisy state is now over I hope permanently but of this one cannot be
and therefore the nuisance occasioned by him either to our- the selves or the neighbours has ceased to exist and I only reopen question firstly on the score of economy and secondly because he is a trouble to the other patients who are confined temporarily in the Asylum, so much so that we have been obliged frequently to put him with the Chinese for days together a proceeding un- avoidable and I may say not the least objected to by the patient but one which we would rather avoid if possible.
sure
The Government are actually out of
pocket about 80 cts. daily over this patient, this being the cost
$319 yearly. of the food and drugs consumed by the patient
I have etc.,'
(sd.) J. Bell,
Ag. Prin.Civil Med. Officer.