The following is an extract from Medical Practice in the Early Days by R. Fulton M.D, 1922.
'As for the Wellington Hospital, which was at Karori, it was a frightful place. Suddenly a great sensation occurred in Wellington with regard to the treatment of patients in the Karori Lunatic Asylum.
This wretched institution, in every way unfit for the purpose for which it was erected, was often quoted as an instance of what a lunatic asylum ought not to be, but no one seemed to have had the slightest suspicion that its miserable inmates were subjected to cruelty and ill treatment. In May 1872, the Government received information from a former attendant, making the most serious charges against the keeper and matron. These were of such a character as to demand an immediate investigation, and Mr. [Henry] Bunny (the Provincial Secretary), Dr Hector, and Mr Crawford were appointed a Commission to take evidence and report. A report from the Commissioners brought the following: "The buildings and accommodation were found to be quite inadequate, and there was no proper system of enforcing that discipline and cleanliness so necessary for the proper treatment of the mentally afflicted. The evidence disclosed that the patients were often treated with unnecessary violence. The master and matron are quite unsuited by want of the necessary training and education, and by infirmity of temper on the part of the matron, for the management of such an institution. Surprise was expressed that the medical officer in charge had not long before discovered the abuses which were now disclosed. The doctor deplored the fact that be could not lay all the evidence before his readers, much of it was so terrible and painful that he had not the courage to quote it."'
- Quoted in Joseph & Betty Keanneally, 'Karori Then: Past Images & Recollections from a Wellington Suburb, Wellington, 1980
See also:Blog: The old route to Karori, 16 August 2020
Blog: Rich pickings at the Regal, 10 February 2020
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