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want of the information, it has been clear that there must be no little difficulty in gathering it
from the various destinations to which the people are consigned after their arrival,—some to
public, some to private asylums, and some to their own families.
The actual cost of the institution during the calendar year 1866-67 was Rs. 32,939,
exclusive of passage money. The sum credited on account of maintenance of paying patients,
is larger than in any previous year. Including Rs. 1,050 as an estimated deduction in the
Military Department from the pay of soldiers during their residence, it reaches Rs. 4,147. But
in addition to this there is a large sum outstanding due by the estate of Mr. N. Kallonas a
zemindar of Backergunge, who has been an inmate of the asylum for many years. By some
means or other Mr. Kallonas' family, soon after the asylum became a Government institu-
tion, obtained from the Medical Board the indulgent remission of one-half of the sum required
from other first class patients. For some little time payment was made, but it soon became-
irregular, and finally ceased. My applications to his wife were met by evasions, excuses, and
petitions of various tenor, but very little addition was made to the amount at her credit. The
estate was for some time under attachment, and so my efforts to obtain an adjustment of the
Government claim were suspended. During the past year, however, they have been renewed
It has been known to me throughout that Mrs. Kallonas, from her life and habits, as well as
from the means at her disposal, was not entitled to any eleemosynary consideration, and I have
not hesitated to press the matter. There is now every reason to expect a speedy adjustment.
Regular proceedings have been taken in the Civil Court. A portion of the money due has
already been recovered by the Collector of the district, and no difficulty is apprehended in
realising the remainder.
With regard to the conduct of the subordinate officers, I can say no more than that the
Head Overseer, Mr. DeVere, and the matron, his wife, continue to justify the high terms in
which I spoke of them last year. My own duties, which might be irksome and full of anxiety,
and were so in former years, are by the intelligent and careful discharge of their duties rendered
easy and agreeable. To natural intelligence and untiring activity they now add long experience
of asylum management, and it is due to them that the condition of the place and its inmates
evokes month after month expressions of the warmest approbation from the Board of Visitors.
The ill health of Overseer McGee compelled me to recommend him to resign his office
early in the year. An opportunity arose of sending him to England in charge of an insane
officer, of which he took advantage. His place has been filled by Overseer Franklyn, of whom
also I am able to speak in very favorable terms.
With the native servants also I have had every reason to be highly satisfied. The rate
of their wages compels me to supplement them from other funds in any manner that I am able .
but I fear that before long my resources in this way will be exhausted, and I shall be forced to
apply for increase, as I have lately done in the case of the native asylum.
I regret to report that the premises suffered severely in the gale of the 1st November.
The large garden house, which had for a long time served as a place of recreation, and indeed
of constant habitation by day to all in the asylum, and which had become luxuriantly
covered and filled with ornamental plants, redeeming the whole place from the madhouse
character which its permanent buildings exhibit, is a heap of ruins, and the patients are