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twenty-one, controlling twenty-six nurses. Owing to the war the society has been recommended to curtail any fresh expenditure in this branch of nursing. The Midwives Act. During the year there have been two examinations of midwives, and out of seventy-seven candidates sixty-five have passed the State examination and have been registered as midwives. Seventeen have been registered on Central) Midwives Board certificates, and thirteen on other certificates. State Maternity Hospitals. St. Helens Hospital, Wellington. During the year 203 cases were confined, 196 children born alive and eleven still-births. There were four maternal deaths and five deaths of infants ; the causes are given in the adjoined table. There were also attended ninety-one outside cases. No deaths of mothers or of infants. There has been no change in this Hospital. The staff continues the same, except that the Medical Officer, Dr. Agnes Bennett, was granted leave for service at the scene of war, and left at the beginning of April. Dr. Elliott was appointed in charge during Dr. Bennett's absence. The Sub-Matron also has been on leave for active service since August, having gone with the advance Expeditionary Force to Samoa. Three gatherings of mothers with their infants were held, showing a very satisfactory result and fine healthy children. Sixteen pupils have been trained and fourteen are now in training. Note by Medical Officer.— Three cases of hsemorrhagica neonatorum : all recovered with serum treatment. Ten premature, infants born alive at seven and a half and eight months : all did well. Eight babies readmitted for malnutrition : all discharged recovered, and digesting their food satisfactorily. The large number of albuminurias (forty) is very unusual, and the two eclamptics were of the acutest type. The absence of all sepsis and saprsemia except those cases to be accounted for is most satisfactory, and the Matron and nurses are much to be congratulated. There has not been a case of saprsemia in the Hospital. It is noticeable that the number of forceps cases has been much reduced since the use of pituitrin. St. Helens Hospital, Auckland. During the year 202 cases were confined : 199 children born alive, and ten still-births. There was one maternal death, three deaths of infants; the causes are given in the adjoined table. There were also attended 152 outside cases, in which occurred no deaths of mothers nor of infants. The Hospital appears during the last year to have quite regained its place in the confidence of the people. Many new patients have entered, and the old ones still continue to come in. No progress has been made with the projected new building which is so badly needed. The adjoining section has not been purchased, and owing to the war nothing further has been done. In the meantime it is necessary to send special obstetric operations, such as Csesarean sections, to the General Hospital. Fifteen pupils have been trained and twelve are now in training. There has been no change in the staff. The demand for vacancies for midwifery-training keeps up in all the State hospitals, and it is recognized that an excellent practical experience is gained. Note by Medical Officer.- The year has been on the whole a quiet but successful one. The one maternal death was almost moribund on admission. There were more venereal cases than usual, four syphilitics and five with acute gonorrhoea. There were two cases of gonorrhoea (ophthalmia). Both the Matron and Sub-Matron worked well and harmoniously. The Sub-Matron, Miss Broadley, had a rather serious breakdown towards the end of 1914, but after a good period of sick-leave she has returned to work quite strong and well able to cope with her rather responsible and arduous duties. The pupil-nurses did well in their examinations. Fifteen nurses sat for their examinations during the year and fifteen passed, there being no failures. Nurse C. S. S. McLean was equal first for the Dominion in the December examination. There would have been two Csesarean sections to report during the year, but owing to the lack of proper operating-theatre facilities I had to transfer them to the District Hospital for operation. Needless to say, I am looking forward to the time when this hospital will be properly equipped.—Tracy R. Inolis, M.8., Ch.B. St, Helens Hospital, Christchurch. During the year 212 cases were confined : 204 children born alive and eight still-births. There was one maternal death, seven deaths of infants ; the causes are given in the adjoined table. There were also attended eighty-three outside cases. No deaths of mothers and no deaths of infants. I regret to state that the new building for this Hospital has not been commenced. Shortly after the war started it was decided that the building should go on, as it was badly needed, and would also provide work. The plans are now completed and tenders called, and it is hoped to start work shortly. Dr. Irving is still in charge, with Miss Cameron as Matron and Miss Newman as Sub-Matron. Twelve pupils have been trained ; eleven are now in training. It is recognized by the medical profession, and so stated at the annual meeting of the 8.M.A., that midwifery nursing has been revolutionized since the institution of the St. Helens Hospitals, which in all the centres provide a most satisfactory course of training. St. Helens Hospital, Dunedin. During the year 177 cases were confined. 175 children born alive and four still-births. There were no maternal deaths; five deaths of infants ; the causes are given in the adjoined table. There were also attended eighty-four outside cases. No deaths of mothers ;no deaths of infants, The work of this Hospital has gone steadily on.