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Christehurch. —Miss Trotter, former Sub-Matron at St. Helens, Invercargill, took charge here as Matron on the Ist November, after being attached for three months to the staff of the Auckland institution in order to gain further experience. Miss Price, R.R.C., acted as relieving Matron until Miss Trotter was available for the position. Dr. Bonar Lindsay states that there has been a considerable reduction in the number of avoidable complications, which he attributes to more experienced ante-natal supervision. Miss Wilson's work in charge of the clinic has proved invaluable. There have been about the same number of cases during the year, the booking having to be strictly limited on account of the cramped conditions, but there have been no maternal deaths. In the seven infantile deaths four were due to prematurity, two being twins born in the district. Dunedin.—Of the 144 deliveries which took place within this institution, there were no deaths of mothers, and one infantile death from pernicious jaundice. There were 75 deliveries on the district Dr. Siedeberg's report is as follows : " I am glad to be able to report that we have passed through another year without a case of eclampsia, it being now eleven years since we had a case of this disease. There were ten premature infants, all of whom throve, including one born at six months and a half, whose weight was 2f lb. It had a very poor hold on life, but it was sent to Karitane Hospital, and, although its life was despaired of on several occasions, it finally began to thrive." Miss Holford and Miss Gow are, as ever, devoted to the work of their hospital and to the interest of their patients. The latter was obliged to have prolonged sick-leave during the year, but is fortunately sufficiently recovered to resume her duties. Invercargill.—Miss Stubbs, after some years' service as Matron, retired on the Ist November, and Miss Mildred Yorke, previously sister in charge of the Stratford Hospital Maternity Annexe, was appointed in her place. There were 188 births of living children, one maternal death, and one infantile death. Wanganui.—There were 156 births of living children, no maternal deaths, and two deaths of infants (premature twins). Dr. D. Wilson reports as follows : " The work of the institution has increased in the year 1926, and has been conducted to my satisfaction by Miss Bagley, and Sister Macdonald. Gisborne. —There were no maternal deaths in the 162 deliveries taking place during the year. There were four sets of twins and five still-births. Of infantile deaths there were five. Auckland.—Dr. Tracy Inglis reports : " A successful year. There has been an increase in the number of in-patients by thirty-eight, making a total of 707, which is a record number to date, and an increase of thirty-three district cases ; total 266. Total in all of in-patients and district cases amounted to 973." Lectures: "Forty-two lectures with four lantern lectures delivered to nurses in training; and in addition a refresher course of twelve lectures on ante-natal work, illustrated by lantern-slides, given to midwives and maternity nurses. These were well attended, an average of about fifty attending each night. Maternal mortality: One out of 707 in-patients; one out of 266 out-patients. Infant-mortality shows eleven deaths ; three of these were very premature. The ante-natal clinic did good work during the year, especially as regards hygiene, care of the teeth, and treatment of albuminuria. The treatment of pyorrhoea may in time show a lessened percentage of puerperal sepsis. Matron Broadley did excellent work during the first nine months of the year, but was on leave the last three months owing to her father's illness. Her place was taken by Sister Potts, who filled a difficult position with tact andjability."

St. Helens Hospitals.—Statistics for 1926.

From the above figures it will be seen that the State maternity hospitals continue to do good work, the number of births of living children having increased by 181 since last year. In all seven institutions there have been four maternal and thirty-one infantile deaths, as compared with six maternal and thirty-five infantile deaths in 1925,

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25

Births (Living Still- Deaths of i Deaths of Outdoor | Pupil Midwives 1 Maternity n " Children), births. Mothers, j Infants. Cases, j qualified. qualified Wellington .. 475 19 2 6 89 13 5 Christchurch 325 7 5 177 9 6 Gisborne .... .157 5 5 4 2 3 Wanganui .. . . 159 3 .. 2 9 7 3 Invercargill .. 188 4 1 1 15 5 1 Dunedin .. .. 144 4 .. 1 75 6 Auckland .. .. 707 17 1 11 266 26 8 Totals, 1926 .. 2,155 59 4 31 635 68 26 Totals, 1925 .. 1,974 51 6 35 627 105