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Diploma in Nursing. —The prospects for a post-graduate course of training for registered nurses appear to be a little more favourable, the executive of the Hospital Boards' Association having expressed themselves as strongly in sympathy with the desire for the higher education of nurses who are to hold administrative or teaching positions. If the Hospital Boards of the Dominion thus recognize the necessity for raising the standard of instruction for those who will later be responsible for teaching and administration of schools in nursing it should not be long before such a course is instituted. With the establishment of the diploma in nursing the last obstacle will be removed, but the financial aspect is still the difficulty. The two nurses sent abroad for special training in the subjects laid down for the post-graduate course are now attached to the Health Department. Miss J. Moore has for over twelve months been visiting the training-schools of the Dominion, lecturing to pupil nurses and advising the teaching staff regarding the newer methods of nurse teaching and training. All the South Island training-schools have now been visited by her, and the remainder of the North Island institutions will soon have had the benefit of her experience also. At best, the scope of her work is very far short of what was intended, and it is questionable whether the diversion of a specially trained officer to travel round the country in order to spend a few hours of each week in lecturing to nurses, as they can be spared, is making the best use of her attainments. Miss M. Lambie, who qualified in public-health nursing in Toronto, is now entering the Department with the special task of co-ordinating the various nursing services throughout the country. She will begin operations by assisting in the establishment of a local health unit in Taranaki similar to those in existence in other countries. There is now a preliminary training-school in connection with each of the four main hospitals, Auckland having established one during the year with a specially trained sister-tutor from England in charge. With the establishment of the nursing diploma it will be possible for our own nurses to qualify for such positions, few having the means to travel to Europe in order to take the courses of training now so readily available in other countries. Nurses and Midwives Registration Board. —This Board met five times this year, during which a considerable amount of work was done. Besides granting registration to some hundreds of nurses, midwives, and maternity nurses, and approval to various hospitals as training schools for general nurses, midwives, or maternity nurses, the question of a syllabus for the training of these persons was thoroughly considered. A list of training manuals recommended for use in training institutions was published, and also a syllabus of training in cookery to be undergone by probationers training as general nurses. A suggested system of carrying out the training of midwives and maternity nurses was issued to training schools concerned. Examiners were appointed to conduct the various examinations held throughout the Dominion. The question of registration of applicants with overseas qualifications was very thoroughly discussed and full information obtained thereon, after which the Board set up a general standard to be required of these applicants, and also indicated to Great Britain and the other dominions as to which classes of persons trained and registered in the respective dominions would be accepted for registration in New Zealand. During the year the Nurses and Midwives Registration Act, 1925, was amended to allow persons of twenty-two years and upwards to register. The regulations under this Act were amended to allow registered nurses who had completed their training as maternity nurses, and were waiting for the State examination, to count the time between the completion of their training and their examination towards their training as midwives; also providing that any maternity nurse registered on account of previous experience only could commence training as a midwife, provided she passed the State maternity examination. Departmental Hospitals. —King George Y Hospital, Rotorua : Four nurses have been registered after undergoing whole- or part-time training since the institution was made a training-school. These are being encouraged to remain on the staff after qualifying in order to gain further experience before going elsewhere. In addition to its usual activities this institution was called upon to assist in equipping the Royal camp at Tokaanu. The Matron personally directed and supervised the making of articles, so necessary for the comfort and convenience of the Royal guests. Pukeora Sanatorium, Waipukurau : Miss Thurston having been granted twelve months' leave to visit England, Miss Lundon has been appointed Acting Matron in her place. There have been very few staff changes during the year. Otaki Hospital and Sanatorium : The addition of new shelters for the accommodation of twenty more patients has relieved the congestion at the sanatorium and it has been possible to admit patients who had been on the waiting list for some time. Miss Pownall has managed so that without neglect of the patients no additional appointments to the trained staff have been necessary. SECTION 2.—ST. HELENS HOSPITALS. Wellington.—Dr. Agnes Bennett reports : " The ante-natal department has grown rapidly: 1,043 attendances at hospital the last six months of this year, as compared with 721 in 1925. The clinic now goes on for three days weekly. I believe that as a result of this there is a steady decline in the percentage of still-births and infantile deaths under fourteen days. "The dental clinic, one afternoon a fortnight, is doing most satisfactory work, and the patients are being treated who cannot be persuaded to go to the general hospital or to their own dentists. Miss Newman, the Matron, was obliged to take six months' sick-leave during the year, her health having given way under the strain, but is now back at work, During her absence the Sub-Matron, Miss Boyce, carried on very successfully."

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