H.—3l.

Christchurch, while the people, stimulated by Dr. Jennings, Mr. Beswick, and others, have contributed liberally. Mr. Hurst Seagar has exercised his acknowledged artistic and architectural skill in designing an excellent sanatorium capable of housing some sixty patients. Through his courtesy I have been able to give an interesting picture of the institution. Wellington, Taranaki, Nelson, Invercargill, and Waimate have already made provision, and many other districts have passed the parting of the ways. Nurse Maude still continues her admirable work in Christchurch. The great hopes foreshadowed in my previous reports are gradually being realised. The necessity of having only sympathy to offer to the poor homeless seeker after health is, I am truly thankful to say, getting less and less. No part of the Health Officer's duty is more painful than that of dealing with this class of patient, and the relief which the establishment of these open-air shelters brings is whole-heartedly appreciated. It is easy in the secluded privacy of one's study or office to talk of surrender to socialism, and to rate departure from strict economic principles, but face to face with the indigent consumptive it is difficult to assume this academic indifference. We have decided to help in every way science can suggest the continuance of the irrevocably insane, the incurable imbecile : surely some pity and help is justifiable with respect to the sufferer from consumption. In a previous report I dwelt upon the necessity of providing light employment in the open air for those patients who had recovered sufficiently to re-enter the workaday world. As it is now, the man or woman who leaves a sanatorium, leaves comfort, liberal feeding, and all that makes for a healthful life to go back to a close, possibly overcrowded room, poor food, and work indoors. That the disease recurs, that the patient fails and finally dies, is unfortunately sometimes the after-history of a person who left the institution " improved." The wealthy sufferer can alter his whole mode of life —give up his work in the office for work on the farm. Something like this should be practicable for the poor man. I suggested that if private employers would not help, the Government might be able to give work on some of the State farms or forest nurseries. Many a poor soul would be glad to do what work he could for the sake of his food and room to pitch his shelter, if he could get the chance. I sincerely trust that some arrangement may be effected, either with the Lands or Forestry Department. Alleged Danger from the Presence op a Sanatorium. Here and there are to be found critics of the purely destructive school. Their ingenuity in offering objections to any site which may have been selected is great. It is not to be suggested that these gentlemen are inspired by any but the best motives —I for one certainly think such inspiration improbable —but nevertheless it is to be regretted that they usually wait until the scheme has become an almost accomplished fact before they think fit to offer their advice. The splendid site offered by the trustees of the Cashmere Estate has been the subject of much comment in ChristchuTch. The objections offered are of two kinds : — 1. That the presence of the sanatorium will depreciate the value of the surrounding property. The best answer to this is the fact that the donors own large areas of land behind, on either side, and in front of the selected site. Surely the fact that they have no objections should estop all others from raising this plea. 2. That the fact that patients and friends of patients may travel on the trams will necessarily be a source of danger to the citizens of Christchurch. There might be something to answer in this if it were suggested that the people now suffering from consumption never travelled in trams. The great bulk of the patients will be drawn from Christchurch and the suburbs. At present they are spread all over the city, living under conditions which are unfavourable to themselves, and in many instances dangerous to others. Knowing as we do that the great source of infection lies in the sputum of the diseased person, that the first, middle, and last lesson they learn in a sanatorium is the value of this danger and the absolute necessity for destruction of the sputum, common-sense assures us that the dangers of lessened instead of increased. The newspapers, whilst giving the very greatest facility for audi alterant fariem, have, I am glad to say, wisely refrained from doing anything which would retard this necessary and beneficial work. Cambridge Sanatorium. Good work has again to be recorded for the past year. An event of great importance was the resignation of Miss A. S. Rochfort, the Matron. With the institution from its beginning, she, in conjunction with Dr. Makgill, then District Health Officer for the Auckland District, rendered services which cannot be too highly praised. Her kindness, tact, and personality endeared her, not only to patients, but to staff as well. The Department has lost a self-sacrificing and devoted servant. Miss Duffin, who for several years acted as senior Sister, was appointed Matron, and has given great satisfaction.

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