the buildings in such an emergency as fire. In addition to a plentiful supply of fire-hose, fixed fire-escapes are so placed that the building can be emptied of their inmates in two or three minutes.
Inside the buildings, as outside, there is really nothing, apart from the eccentricities of the occupants of the rooms, to indicate that Ashburn Hall is a home for the insane. As has already been said, altogether it has the appearance of a country seat, of which comfort and refinement are the chief characteristics, and with a home farm attached to it. This Asylum, it should be added, is also designed for the accommodation and treatment of dipsomaniacs.
It deserves to be noted that the spiritual interests of the inmates of Ashburn Hall are not overlooked. The Rev. R. R. M. Sutherland, of Kaikorai, holds the office of chaplain, and by him services are conducted and visits made.
THE FEMALE REFUGE.
From the nature of the work of this useful institution, and the class of persons it befriends, all details connected with it cannot well be minutely stated or enlarged upon. For that reason its committee of ladies have from the first quietly and unostentatiously, but steadily and nobly, laboured on "without observation," not seeking the praise of men, but the good of those for whose well-being they banded themselves together. It was opened on the 3rd of June, 1873, and from that day to the present time many young women and girls have for longer or shorter periods, and with varying results, availed themselves of its shelter; and now, after eighteen long years of such labour, it is gratifying to find the chairman of the Charitable Aid Board publicly saying, as late as November 21st of the present year (1889), "that the Female Refuge is self-supporting; that he is of opinion the endeavours of the ladies in connection with the management are deserving of the highest praise; and that he hopes they will be stimulated to still further efforts for the good of the inmates." For twelve years the Refuge was maintained by public subscriptions, a subsidy from the Government, and the proceeds of the laundry work of the inmates, but since the passing of the Charitable Aid Act in 1885 it has been under the
