^∗ In answer to a series of questions from Lord Ashbourne, Lord Ribblesdale said—The number of patients resident in the asylum is 1,486. There is provision in the permanent building for about 1,100. Arrangements have been made to provide commodious and suitable temporary buildings for the residue. Portions of these buildings have been completed and are in occupation, and the remaining portions will be handed over immediately. It has been decided to build a new asylum at Portrane for at least 1,000 patients. This will provide accommodation for about half the insane of the district. It has been decided to remodel, improve, and enlarge the existing buildings at Richmond so as to accommodate the residue of the insane population. Owing to overcrowding the medical history of the existing asylum has not been favourable. There is no reason to suppose that the soil is in an unhealthy state, except to a very limited extent, in the immediate vicinity of old sewers, and this it is proposed to remedy by the execution of suitable works. The grounds are not at present sufficient in extent for the needs of the asylum, but it is contemplated to increase the area by the purchase of additional land. The estimated cost of altering and remodelling the existing asylum so as to satisfy modern requirements is about £60,000.—The Earl of Erne said it was a matter of notoriety that the soil was saturated with sewage, and he hoped the Government would consider whether it would not be better and cheaper in the long run to build a new asylum on another site.—“Times,” March 8, 1895.Google Scholar