NRS-4404 | Copies of correspondence and reports

Full description

Copies of letters received and sent by the Medical Adviser to the Government, Dr Patrick Hill. Letters received and sent relate to: the Lunatic Asylum, Tarban Creek; the Lunatic Asylum, Parramatta; the Roman Catholic Orphan School, Parramatta; Darlinghurst Gaol; Parramatta Gaol; and the hospital, Cockatoo Island.

The majority of correspondence relates to Tarban Creek, including correspondence with the Colonial Secretary and Superintendent of Tarban Creek (Dr Campbell) concerning the release of inmates, quarterly returns of patients admitted, discharged and died (relating to the admission and transfer of escaped patients, and alterations, repairs, and requisitions for equipment and supplies).

This volume also contains the "report of a Board appointed to enquire into the best mode of uniting the Male and Female Orphan School Establishments, and the removal of a part of the Lunatics from the Asylum at Tarban Creek", 1849, and a report "on the removal of the Male Orphan School from Liverpool to Parramatta and the removal of Lunatics from the establishment at Parramatta to Tarban Creek".

Miscellaneous correspondence includes reports on escaped lunatics, requests from private persons for the discharge of inmates into their custody, allegations of mismanagement of institutions, requests for the certification of lunatics (mainly received from the Surgeon to Darlinghurst Gaol and Cockatoo Island Hospital, Dr O'Brien), alterations to establishments, requisitions for medicine, and miscellaneous financial matters.

In addition, some correspondence concerns Dr Hill in his capacities as President of the New South Wales Medical Board (eg. requesting details of the qualifications of medical practitioners), and as Returning Officer for the Electorate of Cumberland (eg. from the Colonial Secretary wanting to know the number of electors on the roll).

A reconciliation of stores accounts for the period 1845-49 is also included.

(2/676). 1 vol.

Note:
This description is extracted from Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.