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There is only accommodation for 4 European male lunatics, and yet as many ns from 8 to 10 have to be housed somehow, with the result that the quieter lunatics sleep in the day rooms and the acute cases, e. g., mania and alcoholics, осспру the four rooms. From many points of view this is a most unsatisfactory state of things.

Europeans. Forty-four were admitted as against 25 in 1902, an increase of 19. Of these, 26 were suffering from alcoholism or delirium tremens.

One was a woman who unfortunately died from syncope after a few days' illness. only in the Asylum 6 hours, and her case was hopeless from the first.

She was

Two males died. One from acute alcoholism and the other, who was brought in drunk, was found to have a slight fracture of the base of the skull which proved fatal.

The American feinale who was admitted in 1895 and the Roumanian Jewess in 1903 are still in the Asylum. Both are suffering from chronic inania and are quite incurable.

Of the 44 Europeans admitted, 3 were under observation, 1 suffering from dementia recovered sufficiently to be sent home, 27 were discharged cured, 2 died from alcoholism, and 1 from fractured skull, leaving 10 remaining on January 1st, 1904, viz., 2 females and 8 inales.

The females I have already referred to as chronic lunatics. The males are in the same condition, so I see no chance at present of having any of them transferred to his own country. As regards their nationalities, 3 ar: English, 1 Canadian, 1 West Indian, 1 Austrian, I German, and I Russian-Finn.

Indians and Coloured.-There were 10 admissions, all males. Of the above, one was under observation, 6 were discharged cured, or in care of friends, leaving 3 remaining at the end of the year.

Three Indians were suffering from alcoholism. One of the coloured class suffering from mania unsuccessfully attempted suicide by swallowing his bed sheet.

Asiatics (Chinese and Japanese).-The admissions this year were 101 as against 87 in 1902, showing an increase of 14.

Of the 16 patients under observation (8 males and 8 females), 7 were trans- ferred to the Government Civil Hospital for treatment and 9 were discharged."

Forty-one cases were sent to Canton, 35 handed over to their friends, leaving 9 remaining in the Asylum at the end of the year.

One Japanese female who was in the Asylum since 1899 was sent to her own country by her Consul.

There were 9 deaths--1 from spinal meningitis, 1 from erysipelas, and the others from debility or malnutrition accompanying acute mania or dementia,

Staff-Wardmaster J. R. LEE left on April 9th to join the staff of the Sanitary Board, and was succeeded by Wardmaster MACFARLANE from the Government Civil Hospital. Wardmaster MACFARLANE resumed duty at the Hospital on December 15th, and was succeeded by Wardmaster J. MULROONEY.

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Buildings. The present buildings are in a good state of repair. Minor im- provements were carried out during the year, including increased ventilation to all rooms in the Asiatic block.

Automatically flushed urinals and water-closets are-as I mentioned in my report of 1902—a necessity and I believe will be supplied during the current year. The proposed installation of special locks and keys throughout the Asylums will be of great benefit.

I have, &c.,

ERNEST A. R. LAING,

Medical Officer in charge of Government Lunatic Asylums.

The SUPERINTENDENT, Government Civil Hospital.