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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Porirua Asylum

page 1075

Porirua Asylum stands on an eminence about a mile distant from the Railway Station. The institution was originally established in 1887 to relieve the general pressure which unfortunately existed in the various Asylums of the Colony. A wooden building capable of accommodating about thirty patients had been erected, but soon proved to be totally insufficient. In 1891 the handsome two-story brick building now used was ready for occupation. This edifice contains thirty-eight rooms, exclusive of bathrooms, kitchen, scullery, and other offices. In the south front the medical officers' quarters, surgery, offices, and waiting and storerooms are situated. The north front consists of two wings, which are occupied respectively by the male and female patients, and the attendants. The central portion of the building contains a large dining hall, kitchen, scullery, etc. At the time of the writer's visit (1896) a new wing, capable of accommodating seventy patients, with carpenter's, engineer's, and plumber's shops, was in process of erection. Attached to the establishment there is a farm of about 900 acres of land, on which a large flock of sheep and cattle are depastured. The Porirua Asylum is lighted throughout by electric light; a compound condensing engine by Messrs. Cable and Co., indicating eighty-five horse-power, drives a dynamo by Siemens and Co., of London. There are 220 lights. mostly sixteen candle power: the machinery, however, is capable of supplying 850 lamps. The steam is generated by two multitubular boilers, made by Messrs. Cable and Co., tested to 100 pounds of steam to the square inch, all heating and cooking being accomplished by steam. The total number of patients in October, 1896, was 236 130 males and 106 females. The resident medical officer, Dr. King, is assisted by Mr. A. McLean, head attendant and storekeeper, Miss M. A. Sullivan, matron, and eleven warders and nurses. The machinery is under the charge of Mr. J. H. Anderson (engineer), Mr. C. Dunbar being manager of the farm.

Porirua Asylum.

Porirua Asylum.

Names:—Top Row—Messrs. Dent, Whren, Duncan. Gyde (cook), McDougall, Clarkson, Dale, James. Middle Row—Messrs. Walker, C. Dunbar, J. H. Anderson, A. McLean, Dr. Burns, Misses Sullivan, Boulcott, Skelley, Sisson, Newman. Bottom Row—Misses Tabor, Barwell, Maud.

Names:—Top Row—Messrs. Dent, Whren, Duncan. Gyde (cook), McDougall, Clarkson, Dale, James.
Middle Row—Messrs. Walker, C. Dunbar, J. H. Anderson, A. McLean, Dr. Burns, Misses Sullivan, Boulcott, Skelley, Sisson, Newman.
Bottom Row—Misses Tabor, Barwell, Maud.