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beds, to enter certain private hospitals, authorised by the Registrar, or, if possible, larger public hospitals, and there spend a further period of two years, before entering for the final State examination. Nurses training in hospitals under forty beds but over twenty should spend a period of one year in gaining such further experience before entering for examination, this course being advised but not obligatory, as such nurses still would be permitted to sit for State examination after , spending the requisite time in their first training-schools. ST. HELENS HOSPITALS. Sir,— Inspector-General's Office, Wellington, N.Z., 22nd May, 1907. 1 have the honour to submit a report of the work done by the St. Helens Hospitals during the last twelve months. Wellington. There have during the last year been 127 patients admitted into the Hospital; 120 infants have been born ; 56 patients have been attended outside and 52 infants born outside; 2 patients have died after confinement, 4 infants were stillborn, 3 infants have died in Hospital. Patients have evidently appreciated the comforts and attention received in the Hospital, as eleven women have returned for* their second confinement, and all express gratitude for their treatment. Six pupil-nurses have been trained, and successfully passed their examination in midwifery Two other nurses who have been receiving their practical instruction at the Alexandra Home have attended the lectures given by Dr. Perkins and Miss Wyatt, and have also passed the examination. The accommodation of this Hospital has been at times strained to the utmost, and the Matron and nurses have worked under serious disadvantages. The house is by no means suited to the purpose for which it is used. The rooms are small, the passages narrow and inconvenient, the nurses' accommodation miserable, and the laundry arrangements most inadequate. A slight improvement is being made by the enclosing of a balcony which, being a constant passage from one part of the house to another, was most dangerous in wet weather. I much regret that it has been necessary to renew the lease of this house for a year, but hope that at the end of that period a really up-to-date maternity hospital, worthy of the capital of New Zealand, may be provided for this important work. There have been two changes on the staff during the year, Miss Peiper having been promoted to the Matronship of St. Helens, Auckland, and Miss Inglis, who took her place, to the Matronship of St. Helens, Christchurch. Miss Edwards was then appointed Sub-matron. Dr. Perkins has served a second term as Medical Attendant and Lecturer to the pupil-nurses, in whose training he has taken the greatest interest. Dunbdin. There have during the last year been 191 patients admitted into the Hospital; 184 infants have been born; 29 patients have been attended in district and 29 infants born outside; no patients have died after confinement, 13 infants have been stillborn, 1 infant has died in Hospital. In this Hospital, also, women have sought for admission a second time. They have also after discharge from the Hospital frequently brought their babies for advice about diet or any ailment. Here again the accommodation has at times been overtaxed, and a room usually occupied bv two nurses has had to be taken for patients, and the nurses have been crowded into one room. An extension to this Hospital, so that proper rooms could be provided for the nursing staff, is very badly needed. A very necessary addition also is an isolation ward: there is absolutely no means of isolating any infectious case Four pupil-nurses have been trained in midwifery, and registered after passing a satisfactory examination. One pupil-nurse from outside was also registered after attending lectures and passing examination. There have been no changes on the staff. Miss Holford has done excellent work, and keeps her Hospital in most excellent order. Miss Gow has been a valuable assistant as Sub-matron. Dr. Siedeberg has been Medical Attendant and Lecturer to the nurses, and has shown great interest in the work of the Hospital. Auckland. This Hospital was opened in June, and has therefore only been in working-order for ten months. During that time a great deal of good work has been done in the institution. In the early part of the year there was some trouble with a pupil-nurse who had mistaken her vocation, but since her departure the Matron and staff have worked in perfect harmony. During the ten months there have been 102 patients admitted into the Hospital; 102 infants born in Hospital; 29 patients attended in the district; 29 infants born outside; there has been one death of a mother after confinement, 7 infants stillborn, and 1 infant has died in the Hospital. One pupil-nurse has been trained in the Hospital, and has successfully passed her examination in midwifery and been registered. Two others have almost completed their term. Three nurses, who have received outside training and attended the lectures at St. Helens given by Dr. Inglis and the Matron, have also passed the examination and been registered. There has been no change in the staff. Miss Paul was appointed to assist Miss Peiper as Submatron, and they have done excellent work. Dr. Inglis has been Medical Attendant, and been