7

H.—l9

British war-medals— On account of soldiers whose present addresses are unknown .. .. 9,420 Claims being investigated on account of, soldiers who have died subsequent to discharge . . .. .. . . . . . . .. 969 10,389 Victory Medals— On account of soldiers whose present addresses are, unknown . . . . 6,009 Claims being investigated on account of soldiers who have died subsequent to discharge .. . . :. . . . . .. .. 969 ■ 6,978 19,977 Approximately twelve thousand illuminated certificates awarded to " live " men have yet to be written. This work has been somewhat delayed through neglect of the soldier to return the signed form setting out his service. Owing to the many requests from relatives of deceased soldiers, it has been decided to issue a similar certificate, with suitable variation, to next-of-kin. This involves writing approximately seventeen thousand certificates, which will be undertaken when more pressing work has been disposed of. The issue of scrolls and plaques is practically complete ; about two hundred scrolls have been returned unclaimed, and about two thousand plaques have yet to be, distributed. Twelve hundred plaques addressed to next-of-kin resident in Great Britain have been sent in bulk to the High Commissioner for distribution, and about three hundred have been sent to the Government Agents in Sydney and Melbourne for distribution to next-of-kin there. A. very large quantity of overseas camp and recruiting documents are still held for examination as to retention or destruction. This work will be undertaken by a small staff when the, activities of the Records Branch are nearing completion. E. W. C. Chaytor, Major-General, Commanding N.Z. Military Forces.

APPENDICES. APPENDIX A.- -REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF MEDICAL SERVICES. The number of " service " patients under treatment on the 31st March, 1921 (the date, of my last report), and 30th June, 1922, were as follows : — In-patients. Out-patients. Totals. 31st March, 1921 .. .. .. ..998 1,259 2,257 30th June, 1922 .. .. .. ..720 956 1,676 Decrease .. . . .. 278 303 581 As anticipated in my previous report, the diminution in these numbers is occurring proportionately less rapidly than in the past. Since my last report the following military medical institutions have been handed over to the Department of Health : Pukeora Military Sanatorium, on 31st July, 1921 ; Rotorua Military Hospital, 20th October, 1921 ; Hanmer Military Hospital, 19th January, 1922; Trentham Military Hospital, 31st March, 1922 ; Cashmere Military Sanatorium, 31st May, 1922. The treatment of jaw and facial cases has been transferred from the Dunedin Hospital to Trentham Hospital, and Woodside Convalescent Home, Dunedin, has been closed. During the year the treatment of out-patients, which had been carried on by the Assistant Directors of Medical Services in Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, was handed over to the Hospital Boards.