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The training of the midwifery nurses has in all the centres been very satisfactory, the examiners frequently expressing surprise that in the one year of training for women who have not undergone previous training as nurses they can learn so much. The Medical Officers and Matrons must be applauded for their conscientious work in teaching so thoroughly. It is worthy of note that two pupils of the St. Helens Hospital, Wellington, obtained full marks in both sections of the late examination. The number of lectures laid down by the Midwives Act is very much exceeded, although not carried out strictly as laid down — i.e., fortnightly—throughout the year, as it is found best to have the whole course delivered after the full term of pupils has assembled and settled to work. The number of midwives registered from overseas is thirty. The standard of training for most of these is far below that of those trained in the Dominion. In a recent nursing paper from Home we read, regarding the training recognized by the C.M.8., " The best and most conscientious midwife in the world will have no time for careful after-treatment if she is expected to take more than one hundred and fifty cases in the year. Sometimes she will have one or more pupils, and then it is not unusual for one certified woman to be responsible for four hundred or even five hundred cases annually. Her life is then one continuous drive from labour to labour, drearily dealing with all the|complications which might have been averted by careful booking, while the pupils scramble round after her as best they can, giving the least possible time and no skill to all the important matters I have just enumerated." It is time that a midwife trained at Home should produce proof that she has at least gone through a recognized institution before being registered in the colonies, which have established a course of training on so much higher standards. The number of trained midwives now on the register is rapidly overtakingljjthe number of untrained women registered on their practical experience when the Act was passed. There are now 546 trained midwives, 685 untrained, the number of the former being constantly added to and the latter diminishing. The midwives of the South Island were visited during the year, also many of those of the North Island. More of the trained midwives are going into the country towns and districts, there being either in private maternity homes, working as district nurses, subsidized nurses, or privately settled in back country places, 118. Still more are needed, but as the output from our maternity hospitals is increasing year by year, until it is now double what it was five years ago, this want should gradually be filled. The reports of the State and other maternity hospitals which, follow show a steady increase in numbers, and maintain the excellent results which have hitherto been attained. Midwives dealt with under the Act, 1912-13: Removed from the register, 2 ; warned for committing breach of Midwives Act, 8 ; prosecuted and convicted, 2. In all these instances these have been midwives registered when the Act was first passed, on their practical experience, and without having undergone the course of training which is now obligatory. Private Hospitals. There has been a considerable increase in the number of private hospitals licensed since last year. Though the tendency, on the whole, is for nurses to keep to the larger centres, there are many small country towns well supplied with accommodation for both general and midwifery cases, and by degrees the backblocks are also being provided for. In some instances a difficulty arises from the fact that some of the settlers can ill afford to pay the ordinary private-hospital fees, though willing to do what they can ; while, on the other hand, considerable expense is incurred by the licensee, especially during the first year, and this must be recovered if a living is to be made. In the case of a small maternity hospital in a country town the Hospital Board of the district, recognizing the necessity for such an establishment, and the good work done by the nurse, have agreed to subsidize it, thus securing a continuance of what has proved a great boon to the settlers' wives. By degrees, as more trained women are taking up this work, the standard is being raised, and there is a marked improvement year by year in the style of the premises and in the general conduct of the licensed private hospitals. It is noticeable also that many, recognizing that an ordinary dwellinghouse is frequently not too well adapted for sick nursing, have, when possible, built for the purpose. The number of private hospitals licensed as at 31st March, 1913, was 227 ; transferred to new premises (1912-13), 20 ; given up (1912-13) (of these, five were through death of licensee), 21; warned for committing breach of Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 8 ; prosecuted and convicted, 1. State Maternity Hospitals. St. Helens Hospital, Wellington. From the Ist April, 1912, to the 31st March, 1913, 218 cases were confined —211 children born alive, and there were seven still-births. There were no maternal deaths ; four deaths of infants. There were eighty-eight outside cases, eighty-eight children born, and three deaths of infants. The new hospital in Coromandel Street was formally opened in July, 1912, but had been occupied since May. The advantages of the new building, standing as it does on a site away from the road and to which the sun has access all day, is very apparent. The conveniences provided render the work to the nursing staff very much lighter. The wide balconies are in constant use in fine weather for both mothers and babies. The Nurses' Home is comfortable, and each nurse has a room to herself. The number of pupils taken has been increased to fifteen, and a third trained midwife added to the staff. Dr. Agnes Bennett is still in charge as Medical Officer, and Miss Brown as Matron. Miss Warnock, Sub-matron, resigned in March, and Miss Wenmoth, trained at the London Hospital, was appointed. Twelve pupils were trained during the year.