(a) personally observe every patient admitted since the previous visit by a member of the board; and (b) inspect all facilities and equipment provided at the institution, special institution or place for the treatment of or use by patients. (2) At least once every six months, two or more members of a mental hospital board shall personally observe every patient on the roll of each institution, special institution or place in respect of which the board has been appointed, except for patients who are absent on parole or probation, and shall afford every patient an opportunity to make whatever representations he may wish to make, in person and in private. (3) A member of a mental hospital board who has made a visit in terms of subsection (1) or (2) shall report to the board any complaint, request or representation that has been made to him. (4) A mental hospital board shall investigate every reasonable complaint reported to it in terms of subsection (3) and shall receive confirmation from the superintendent of the institution, special institution or place concerned that all patients have had their right to make representations explained to them. (5) If a patient had not attained the age of sixteen years when he was received into an institution, special institution or other place in terms of this Act, the mental hospital board for the institution, special institution or place in which he is detained shall specially consider his case within three months after he attains that age. 71 Reports, plans, etc., of mental hospital boards A mental hospital board shall— (a) from time to time, or when called upon by the Minister to do so, make to the Secretary such suggestions and observations as it considers desirable regarding the welfare of patients in the institution, special institution or other place for which the board has been established; and (b) report to the Secretary the result of any inspection made by it; and (c) formulate and consider plans for the after-care of patients in the institution, special institution or other place for which the board has been established. 72 Mental hospital boards may discharge patients (1) Subject to this Act, a mental hospital board, after proper inquiry, may discharge, either conditionally unconditionally as it thinks fit, any patient, other than a patient admitted under Part III or IV, who is in any institution, special institution or place for which the board has been established, if the board considers the patient has recovered or is otherwise fit for discharge. (2) A mental hospital board shall record in its minutes any resolution to discharge a patient in terms of subsection (1). (3) When any action intended to be taken by a mental hospital board in terms of subsection (i) is in conflict with the advice given to the board by the superintendent of the institution, special institution or other place in which the patient is detained, the chairman of the board and the superintendent shall each submit a written report to the Secretary, who shall decide what action shall be taken in the matter. 73 Special boards (1) The Minister shall establish one or more boards, to be known as special boards, for the purpose of making any recommendation or report required by section twenty-nine, thirty-four or thirty-nine: Provided that the Minister may direct that the mental hospital board established for any institution, special institution or other place shall constitute a special board for the purpose of making any such report in relation to patients detained in that institution, special institution or place. (2) A special board shall consist of not fewer than three members appointed by the Minister. (3) The Minister shall designate one member of every special board to be chairman of the board. (4) The terms of office of the members of special boards and their conditions of service, including the remuneration and allowances, if any, to be paid to them and the circumstances in which they are to vacate their offices, shall be as prescribed. (5) Subject to this section, the procedure to be observed at meetings of special boards shall be as prescribed or as fixed by the Minister from time to time. (6) Except as may be prescribed, a special board shall have no authority over the superintendent of, or any other officer at, any institution or special institution. 74 Annual reports of mental hospital boards (1) At least once a year the chairmen of all mental hospital boards shall meet, at a date and place fixed by the Secretary, for the purpose of preparing an annual report which— (a) shall outline the activities of the boards during the preceding twelve months; and (b) shall report on the facilities and treatment provided at the institutions, special institutions and other places for which the boards have been established; and (c) may contain proposals for improving the institutional special institutions and other places for which the boards have been established, or in regard to any other matter relating to the treatment, care or after-care of mentally disordered or intellectually handicapped persons.