H.—3l

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In other centres the Medical Officers of Health and School Medical Officers have given willing assistance to health campaigns within their districts. It is an encouraging sign of the times that so many of the leading citizens of this country are evincing a keen interest in problems relating to the public health, for, in the words of the late Hon. William Gisborne, " the man who made two blades of health grow where only one grew before was recognized as in truth a public benefactor." There has also been experienced a spirit of growing fellowship with other countries regarding matters of public-health administration, and from far afield come inquiries showing the interest with which the Department's policy is being studied throughout the world. Through the medium of our library all branches of the Department have availed themselves of the opportunity of keeping fully informed of the latest advances in preventive and curative medicine. Dr. J. P. Frcngley, Deputy Director-General, acting as secretary to the Sanitary Section of the recent meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science at Wellington, was able to obtain, from leading Australian and New Zealand authorities valuable papers which added much to the interest of the congress from a public-health standpoint. Posters have been continued to be exhibited at railway-stations and suitable places in relation to cancer, consumption, venereal and other diseases, and the facilities afforded for treatment and care at our sanatoria and hospitals have been duly advertised. SECTION 4.—DIVISIONAL REPORTS. Child Welfare. The report of Dr. Truby King, the Director of the Division of Child Welfare, presents a record of much useful work accomplished in special spheres of health instruction, and in the interests of the welfare of mother and child in their most critical periods of life. His observations on infant-welfare work in Australia will command much attention. Nursing. The report of the Director, Division of Nursing, will be read with much interest, and to those interested in nursing matters I would commend a perusal thereof. It is to bo all the more regretted therefore that Miss Maclean, after some seventeen years of faithful service, has to give up the work to which she has so unsparingly devoted herself. It is therefore with the greatest regret that I announce the approaching retirement of an officer who has served the country so iong and so faithfully, and I only hope that she may carry into her retirement a feeling of work well and faithfully done. School Hyciene. The figures given by Dr. Wilkins, Director of the Division of School Hygiene, as to medical examinations and inspections accomplished, by School Medical Officers and nurses, is a striking testimony as to the value of this branch of the State service. I agree with the Director that it is a matter of concern that such a large percentage of our school-children are constitutionally defective. However, it is satisfactory to know that through the assistance of the parents excellent remedial results have been achieved in this direction. The inclusion of school hygiene in the public-health course for medical students at Otago University Medical School has everything to commend it, as also the lectures on such a subject at the teachers' training colleges. The Division must be congratulated on its extensive propaganda-work—an important aspect of school hygiene when we are dealing with the human mind in its impressionable stage. It is satisfactory to learn of the growing co-operation between the School M'edical Officers and Education Boards, School Committees, and teachers, as largely the foundation of the success of the system of school medical services rests on such a spirit of mutual co-operation. Dental Hygiene. The report of Mr. Hunter, Director of the Division of Dental Hygiene, is, as usual, brief and to the point. The training of the dental nurses has proceeded upon sound lines, and it is a credit to the Director that twenty-nine of these young women arc now being placed in different districts to carry out their valuable work amongst the school-children of this country. Maori Hygiene. To those specially concerned in matters affecting the Native race I can confidently recommend a perusal of Dr. Te Rangi Hiroa's interesting report. Of especial interest may be the increase in the Maori population, notably amongst the females, for, as Dr. Te Rangi Hiroa observed, " as this forms some indication of the race of the near future, the risk of extinction by an excessive preponderance of males seems to be disappearing." Government Hospitals and Sanatoria. Queen Mary's Hospital, Hanmer. —The opening of the women's hospital at this institution for the treatment of functional affections of the nervous system, and for convalescents of acute illness or following surgical operations, marks a new and important advance in hospital provision in this country. For many years the necessity for such has been apparent, and it is a matter for congratulation that skilled and sympathetic treatment can be afforded in such cases. Too much praise cannot be given Dr. Chisholm for his excellent work in this direction. King George V Hospital, Rotorua. —The report of Dr. Wallis, Medical Superintendent, indicates a keen and progressive interest in the welfare of the patients. The advances made in the treatment of the various diseases, and the results arising therefrom, reflect great credit on the Medical Superintendent and his staff.