H.—3l

24

Sanatoria for Consumptives. The supervision of the admission of patients to Cambridge Sanatorium is now done at Head Office, but prior to this 149 applications had been dealt with, 74 being from the Wellington, Nelson, and Marlborough Districts, while 34- patients were physically examined at the District Office. There has been, as usual, a good deal of congestion as regards our list of applicants, and so far the policy of establishing local annexes throughout the country has not been productive of much result. However, the annexe at the Wellington District Hospital was opened on the 14th November, and the fourteen beds thus provided have been kept full ever since, chiefly with patients too advanced in the disease to gain great benefit from open-air treatment. With the Otaki Sanatorium very slow progress has been made, mainly owing to the frequent alterations in design made by various members of the Hospital Board. These alterations are doubtless excellent, but they have greatly extended the scope of the operations, and incidentally the cost of the building, the original estimate being practically doubled. Presumably the Board has ample funds to meet this extra call, though, in view of the already large expenditure in hospital rates, it might have been advisable to keep to the lowest cost compatible with efficiency. At Pnlmerston North a considerable amount of money has already been subscribed for a hospital annexe. Unfortunately, a good deal of trouble has arisen over finding a suitable site. The spot favoured by the Hospital Board is close to the General Hospital, and though the establishment of the consumptive ward there would result in great economy of administration, it cannot be said to be a suitable site, owing to the damp, cold, clay subsoil. A very excellent site offered itself on the .astern bank of the Manawatu River, above the Cliff Road. This site was suggested by Mr. Rutherfurd, Secretary to the Board, in whose company we visited it, and were satisfied with its general suitability. At a meeting of local bodies and those interested in the question it was pointed out that the site is close enough to the General Hospital to admit of much economy in administration, and is so placed as to be free from any objection from landholders round about, as it is isolated between road and river, and is well placed as regards sun and view. However, many difficulties seem to have arisen as to its acquisition, and the scheme for an annexe for Palmerston North seems to be indefinitely delayed. At Wanganui the consumptives are at present treated on the verandahs at the Hospital. 1 suggested that the diphtheria ward, which is never used, and is situated in an ideal spot for openair treatment, should be converted into an administration block, and a couple of three-bed shelters erected beside it. The cost would have been very small; but the Hospital Board has in hand other work entailing large expenditure, so this question has been deferred. At Picton Hospital it is proposed to erect a single-bed shelter by private subscription. Plans for such a building were furnished at the request of the Board. The construction of a model shelter at the Christchurch Exhibition on experimental lines was approved and an opportunity thus afforded me to try some of the schemes for obtaining the maximum amount of open wall detailed in my last annual report. The construction was much delayed owing to the difficulty in finding some one able to carry out part of the work, which was novel to be within the sphere of the average builder. However, the building was finally completed, and proved instructive. 11. will ultimately be transferred to one of the larger sanatoria, where it can be put to practical use. Four styles of wall were shown—(l) that in use at Cambridge; (2) that planned by Mr. Clere for Otaki ; (3) canvas screens running on upright rods, with an arrangement for making the whole weathertight when it becomes necessary to close the wall in bad weather ; (4) wooden roller shutters in two parts, one rolling up under the eaves, and Lhe other down into a box below the floor. This latter plan is undoubtedly the most effective, but has the disadvantage of being more costly than the others. The canvas wall is cheap, and effects its purpose, and, with a few minor alterations, should be capable of wide application. I have to thank Mr. Campbell, Government Architect, and his staff for their assistance in working out the details of the scheme, and in supervising its erection. Private Hospitals. At the beginning of this year the Private Hospitals Act came into force, so that the Health Department no longer lias the supervision of these places: a matter to be recorded with satisfaction by the overworked District Health Officer. From the Ist April, 1906, to the 31st December, 1906, thirty-three licenses were issued. Habitations. Condemnation certificates were issued during the year for sixty-eight buildings, distributed as follows : —

Buildings, &c., Condemned.

Houses. Stables. Outbuildings. Factories. Hotels. Totals. Wellington itaki ... lfredton Vanganui leikorangi 'etone ... 11 3 2 18 1 1 1 wing 27 4 r ; l 30 1 5 12 1" "a 16 5 Total 27 4 Hi 2 1 68