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Mkdical Staff Changes. Dr. Macpherson, Acting Medical Superintendent at Tokanui, severed his connection with the service in December owing to ill-health. Dr. Macpherson entered the Department during the war period in order to free a younger medical officer for service abroad. Although he was then at an age when most men seek retirement, Dr. Macpherson has given the Department twelve years of zealous and devoted work, and he demitted office universally beloved by patients and staff. Drs. H. D. Hayes and T. W. J. Childs were selected in England for appointment. Each of these gentlemen holds the Diploma in Psychological Medicine, and from their previous records and their work since arrival in the Dominion, I consider the Department is to be congratulated 011 securing their services. Alterations, Impbovements, and Additions. Auckland. In view of the declared policy of evacuating the present institution within a limited period, capital expenditure is being strictly limited to items which are necessary for the immediate needs of the institution. 1. A cottage in the Wolfe Home paddock has been renovated for occupation by the engineer. 2. An excellent veranda has been added to the Female Sick Ward, and is proving a great boon, especially to the aged sick. 3. Considerable improvements have been effected in the kitchen. 4. Further provisions to ensure adequate ventilation of wards and dormitories. Tokanui. 1. The old airing-court fences have now been removed, thus bringing the institution into line with modern ideas as to the removal of unnecessary restrictions, material as well as regulative. 2. A bowling-green has been constructed and opened for play. 3. A sports-ground is in course of preparation. 4. A canteen has been opened for the use of all patients and their visitors. 5. A morgue has been built. Porirua. 1. An Assistant Medical Officer's cottage has been erected. 2. A treatment centre has been opened at Rauta. 3. A Nurses' Home, is now in course of erection, and its completion will greatly increase the amenities enjoyed by the nursing staff. 4-. A great deal of general maintenance and repair work lias been carried out. 5. The change-over to the Mangahao hydro-electric supply has been completed. 6. Sanitary additions to Male 3 Ward. Christchurch. 1. The new pioneer unit for fifty male patients at Templeton has been finished and should be in occupation shortly, thus permitting of greatly improved classification in the main institution. 2. An Assistant Medical Officer's cottage is in course of erection at Hornby Lodge. 3. The male neuropathic unit at Hornby has been completed, and marks a great advance in the facilities for treating early cases. 4. Rearrangement of laundry and the installation of an additional drying-press. Nelson. 1. A large sleeping-veranda has been added to " El Nido," thus allowing continuous open-air treatment to the weakly boys, who derive much benefit. 2. Alterations to the administrative block at Nelson. 3. Alterations to improve the sanitary arrangements. Seacliff. 1. A commencement has been made with the new stores, laundry, and kitchen blocks, and their completion will remove a. handicap under which Seacliff has laboured for many years. 2. Additions to farm buildings at " Cherry Farm " and Seacliff. 3. Completion of neuropathic unit and reception cottage. 4. Erection of Assistant Medical Officer's cottage. Hokitika. 1. Alterations to Aorangi Ward. 2. Roadmaking and reclamation of farm land. 3. Construction of a bowling-green. The New Institution foe Auckland. We have now entered into active occupation of the estate at Puhitahi on which is to be erected the new Auckland institution. The necessary buildings have been erected for the pioneer patients, twenty of whom, along with staff, are already engaged in the preliminary operations of draining swamps, fencing, and planting shelter-belts.

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