5

H.—3l

Hospital Accommodation for Infectious Diseases. The following additions and alterations have been approved by the Department during the year : — Diphtheria ward and two-case isolation blocks at Wanganui; estimated cost, -£7,247. Pavilion for twenty-six infectious cases, Otago; estimated cost, £4,500. One-case isolation and admission pavilion for six cases, Otago; estimated cost, £1,800. Infectious-disease wards, outbuildings, and appurtenances, Waikato; estimated cost, £5,500. Case isolation block of four single wards, to be erected in wood, with tile roof, on Waimate Hospital grounds; estimated cost, £950. Nurses' Home, infectious-disease block, and laundry, at Thames; estimated cost, £1.2,500. At Taumarunui— (a) Erection of new hospital, including Soldiers' Memorial Ward; (b) infectious block; (o) Nurses' Home; (d) laundry block; (c) furnishings for the above; (/) laying on water from Taumarunui Borough supply; (g) fencing, clearing, grassing, levelling, laying off grounds, and planting; (h) mortuary; (i) drainage; (j) stockyards, sheds, and implements; (/<,) cottage for caretaker and porter; (I) clerk of works, architect's fees, and travelling-expenses. Estimated cost, £31,000. Bacteriological Work. This important branch of the Department has commenced its better development under the " bacteriological trainees " scheme, as a result of which we shall be able to provide Hospital Boards with trained and efficient workers, and so in. a great measure ensure prompt discovery, investigation, and control of infectious diseases. Medical and Nursing Aid to Maoris. The health of the Maoris is a matter that requires greater attention from the Department than has Been possible in the past. T shall be guided and considerably assisted in this direction by Dr. Te Rangihiroa, who has lately been appointed as a full-time officer, as Medical Officer to Maoris. Already the expenditure under this heading is considerable. The amount expended during the year was £2,050, in addition to £3,000 voted on the Civil List. The following are the reports of District Health Officers on the sanitary conditions of Maoris :— Auckland. —" If one may take the decreased number of cases of typhoid fever as an index the Maori population must have made progress in their sanitary surroundings. When inspecting Maori districts every now and then one is struck with, the improvement, and the increasing numbers of this race that flock to the towns must learn that the old-time rural practices of the Maori must give way to the improved sanitary methods of to-day. More probably depends upon the headman of a Maori district than is generally given credit for. If he is an educated and at all up-to-date man in his ideas his tribe gets the benefit of his modern ideas, and he is more ready to listen to advice that may bo in the future beneficial to his tribe." Wellington. —"The sanitary conditions of the Maoris are steadily improving. In some districts the standards of living of the Natives are as good as those of the white population. Tangis, huis, and other Maori gatherings, however, still continue to be a source of anxiety to the Department." Christchurch. —" Taken as a general rule the Maori pas are fairly well kept, and there is no doubt that the visits paid by the District Nurse have a marked influence in the maintenance of cleanliness and order. Some habitations have called for condemnation, and it is often a slow process to get Maori dwellings pulled down and rebuilt, owing to complications in the matter of ownership." Otago. —" During the influenza epidemic Inspector Ellison was appointed to look, after the Maoris in this health district. In the course of his duties he travelled to the various Maori settlements, and in his report he informed me that the Maoris had not been very seriously affected by the epidemic. Quarantine-stations. Since the cessation of hostilities the Department has been able to resume control of tho quarantine islands. There has been little existing by way of modern equipment at these stations, and the necessity for such has been strongly amplified during this eventful year. With all possible haste endeavour has been made to provide for reasonable future eventualities. There is now ample accommodation and equipment at Motuihi for 300 persons. At Somes Island plans have been prepared for the erection, of a brick hospital to accommodate fifty patients. For the present onehalf will be completed to accommodate twenty-five patients, and there will be in addition accommodation at the island for 500 persons. Treatment of Consumptives. The policy decided on. is that the institution at Te Waikato should not be extended, or any money spent'on it meantime more than, is required to maintain it in its present state. Other institutions are required; for example, one on the west coast of the North Island and one in the South Island. The last-mentioned would provide for Hospital Board cases from and around South Canterbury. The Auckland Board is also considering the establishment of an institution available to the adjacent Boards, and the two other departmental institutions in the North Island will be similarly available. A point I wish to make is that these institutions should only be available to incipient cases, as it is almost useless to attempt assistance for advanced cases. These should be accommodated in shelters adjacent to the various hospitals, so that the unfortunate patients may be permitted to end their days as near as possible to relatives and friends. This subject is also dealt with under the heading " Infectious Diseases."