E.—7

More than a word of acknowledgment is due to the Hospital Board for their friendly attitude towards the school, and to their recognition of the fact that they are jointly interested with the University in the most important school in the Dominion. The outbreak of War made a sudden and serious call on the resources of the school. Dr. Batchelor, Who is still associated with the faculty as consulting gynaecologist to the Hospital, and Dr. O'Neill, one of the surgeons on the staff, left for active service with the Expeditionary Force, and later on Dr. Barnett, Professor of Surgery, left, to be followed by Dr. Marshall Macdonald, our medical tutor. Suitable arrangements have been made for carrying on Dr. Barnett's teaching during his absence. In consequence of the demand for surgeons a special final examination was held last August, and sixteen of the fifth-year students who passed either joined the Expeditionary Force or replaced others Who did so, thus for a second time in a short period demonstrating the value of the school in any emergency demand for medical service or the part of the State. The recasting of the curriculum has been a very difficult and tedious business, and though in its new form it is much superior to the old one, it may yet be further improved when it is seen how the alterations work. The dislocation caused by the change of terms all falls on the present year, and any later additions to or alterations of the new curriculum will be a comparatively simple matter. The appointment of Dr. Bowie as Clinical Registrar is an important step, which will materially strengthen the clinical teaching and control of the students at the Hospital. » The growth of the classes is increasing rapidly, the entries this year being about forty, and-we are faced with the necessity of increases in the teaching staff to cope with the growth of a school which' shows every promise of a vigorous and successful future. Dental School.—Report of the Director (Professor H. P. Pickerill, M.D.). During the past year I Was granted leave of absence by the Council for the winter session in order to proceed to London to attend the International Dental Congress, at which Mr. Hunter and I represented New Zealand. The outbreak of the present War, however, on the first day of the Congress prevented its being successfully held. During my absence Mr. Throp acted as Dean of the Dental Faculty, and Mr. Swan directed the clinical Work of t,he Hospital, and I should like to express my thanks to these gentlemen for the manner in which the duties of the positions Were fulfilled. There have been no changes in the personnel of the staff during the past year : Messrs. Hunter, Glendining, Brewer, and Barron retired according to rotation in December, but Were re-elected. During the year there have been nine students in attendance, all of whom Were degree students. The demand for post-graduate classes has practically ceased. The war has claimed three of our students. Two of them, being granted special final examinations in September last, Wore appointed dentists to the Expeditionary Force with the rank of Lieutenants, N.Z.M.C, and the third has received a non-commissioned rank in the Infantry. A past student, Mr. J. L. Saunders, 8.D.5., is a lieutenant with the Infantry, and Mr. .1. A. M. Cameron is serving as a private. Mr. Hunter and myself offered our services at Home. T received an appointment, but had to leave England to take up my duties here before I was called upon for any active duties. For a comparatively small University department I think, therefore, the Dental School has contributed its quota to the defence of the Empire. From a clinical and financial point of view the year has been very successful. The number of ypatients attending the Hospital for treatment continues to be very much more than can be adequately dealt with. The following is the statement of clinical work for the past twelve; months : Number of patients' attendances, 2,529 ; number of fresh patients, 429 ; number of patients actually under treatment on the 31st March, 258 ; number of gold fillings, 53 ; number of amalgam fillings, 270 ; number of plastic fillings, 66 ; number of root-treatments, 133 ; number of crowns, 34 ; number of bridges, 2; number of inlays, 82; number of dressings, 314; number of attendances for the treatment of deformities, 288 ; number of anaesthetic oases, 255 ; number of artificial dentures fitted, 151. ; number of attendances for above, 410 ; number of miscellaneous examinations, 722. In view of the above figures the measures of support which the school obtains from the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board and the Saturday Hospital Fund may be considered to be at least fully justified. I Would call attention to the large number of patients (258) at present under treatment. This means that staff and students have to Work at full pressure each morning in order to cope With the attendance. The greater number of patients arc children, and there is still a deficiency of adidts who can pay the small fees charged for the cost of gold used in more advanced work. During the time I was at Home I visited nearly all the dental schools and dental clinics in England and Australia, inquiring into their method of work and teaching, and I found that our school, although not, so large as some, compares very favourably indeed as regards equipment, organization, and teaching. The question of lowering the standard of the dental qualifying examination (L.D.S.) is at present engaging the attention of the General Medical Council, with a view to encouraging more students to enter for the dental course ; and with a similar end in view the question may also shortly arise here as to whether the provision in the Dentists Act for a certificate of proficiency should not be made practically operative. The School of Home Scienck. (Report published in E.-5.) Otago University School of Mines.- Annual Report of the Director (Professor James Park). The Mining School for the session of 1914 showed an attendance of 30 registered students, exclusive of the arts and science students attending the lectures on geology, and the dental students

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