H.—3l

10

Medical Practitioners Act, 1914. —Four meetings of the Medical Council were held during the year under review. The following table, covering the past five years, summarizes the Board's work so far as the granting of applications by medical men for registration, &c., are concerned : —

The outstanding event of the year was the passing of the Medical Practitioners Amendment Act, 1924, which transferred the registration duties of the Registrar-General to the Department of Health, and greatly increased the disciplinary powers of the Medical Council. The work of the Medical Council is largely of a confidential nature, and involves inquiries into charges of misconduct which from time to time are made against medical practitioners. A number of such cases have been dealt with during the year. Masseurs Registration Act, 1920. —During the past year the Masseurs Registration Board has met as required. The Board gave lengthy consideration to the Masseurs Registration Amendment Bill, which finally became law as the Masseurs Registration Amendment Act, 1924. This, inter alia, defined the term " massage," so extending the jurisdiction of the Act. There have been no appeals from the Board's decisions. The Register of Qualified Masseurs contains 403 names. Plumbers Registration Act, 1912. —Two meetings of the Plumbers Board constituted under the above Act were held during the year. Examinations under the Act were held in June and November. At the June examination 193 candidates presented themselves for examination, the results being that forty-two candidates passed last year in the theoretical and twenty-seven in the practical, whilst twenty-nine qualified for registration and were placed on the register. At the November examination 219 candidates presented themselves for examination, the results being sixty-five candidates passed in the theoretical and sixteen in the practical; forty-one qualified for registration and had their names duly recorded on the register. To date the names of 1,595 plumbers have been entered in the register, and thirty-three names removed through death. During the year 1,223 pocket certificates of registration were issued. Staff. —In the death of Miss White (R.R.C., Medaille de la Reine), Matron of King George V Hospital, Rotorua, the Department suffered a serious loss. Miss White was a capable and highly esteemed officer, and I desire to endorse the tribute paid to her memory by Dr. Wallis. The Department is glad to see the distinguished work of Sir Truby King, Director, Division of Child Welfare, in the interests of mother and child in this and other countries has been fittingly rewarded, and desires to congratulate Sir Truby upon the signal distinction which has been conferred upon him. It is pleasing to record that Dr. Frengley has so far recovered as to have returned to duty. Unfortunately, however, Dr. Frengley has found it necessary in the interests of his health to retire from the post of Deputy Director-General which he has so long filled with honour and distinction and to assume less onerous duties. It is some consolation to know that Dr. Frengley's services are not lost to the Department, and it can be confidently expected that in his new capacity as Director, Division of Food and Drugs, he will render the same high standard of service which has characterized his work in the past. Mr. Hurley, Government Bacteriologist, Wellington, who retired on superannuation as from the 31st May, 1925, has been a most zealous and efficient officer of the Department. He will carry with him into his well-earned retirement the good wishes of his former colleagues. The staff of Medical Officers of Health has been augmented by the appointment of Drs. Crawshaw, Mecredy, and Shore. In conclusion, I desire to express my sincere appreciation of the high standard of service rendered by each and every member of the staff. The loyal co-operation, the zeal, the energy which have characterized the work of all officers during the past year have done much in lightening the load borne by the Director-General of Health. M. H. Watt, Acting Director-General of Health.

1920. 1921. 1922. ! 1923. 1924. Number on register on 1st January .. .. 1,015 1,064 1,071 1,073 1,138 Number added during year by registration .. 71* 60f 33{ 76§ 84|| Number added during year by restoration 5 4 1 1 1 Number removed during year on evidence of death 25 10 8 11 19 Number removed during year by direction of Medical Board —- Ceased to practise .. .. .. .. .. 1 Letters not delivered'and returned to Registrar- .. 40 21 General Reported dead .. .. .. .. .. 7 2 Number removed during year by direction of 2 .. .. 1 Supreme Court 1,064 1,071 1,073 1,138 1,204 * Includes 36 with New Zealand qualifications. f Includes 28 with New Zealand qualifications. J Includes 21 with New Zealand qualifications. § Includes 59 with New Zealand qualifications. || Includes 67 with New Zealand qualification?.