H.—3l A.

The said association accordingly recommended the names of ten physicians to the Minister of Health, and from the names submitted the Minister duly appointed the following Committee : — Frank Fitchett, Esq., M.D. (Edin.), M.R.C.P. (Lond.) ; D. Eardley Fenwick, Esq., 0.8. E., M.D. (N.Z.), M.R.C.P. (Lond.); T. W. J. Johnson, Esq., M.I). (N.Z.), M.R.C.P. (Lond.). The function and duty laid upon the Committee was as set out in the following order of reference : — To inquire into — . (1) The past and present incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in New Zealand. (2) The measures now taken in New Zealand for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. (3) Whether the beds available in sanatoria, hospitals, and other institutions for the reception of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis are adequate as regards number and distribution. (4) Whether the sanatoria, hospitals, and other institutions are being used to the best advantage. (5) What additional institutions, if any, are required, or what extensions, if any, are necessary to existing institutions. (6) Whether the action taken against pulmonary tuberculosis, other than the provision of institutional beds, is sufficient, considering— (a) The incidence of the disease ; (b) The size and distribution of the population of the Dominion ; (c) The financial condition of the country, and the public funds available for general health purposes. (7) What other means, if any, are considered necessary to combat the disease either as regards action by Hospital Boards, voluntary agencies, or the Department of Health. (8) Whether there exists at the present time sufficient co-ordination of all the agencies dealing with pulmonary tuberculosis ; if not, what measures are suggested. The Minister of Health appointed the members of the above Committee to be Assistant Inspectors of Hospitals under the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1926, to facilitate their inquiries, and expressed his desire that the Committee should hear such evidence and representations on the above matters as it considered necessary to fully inform itself upon the questions referred to. The following places were visited and inspected by the Committee :— Dunedin : Public Hospital; Wakari Hospital; the tuberculosis dispensary, Public Hospital; Sarah Ann Cohen Memorial School, Kew. Palmerston South : Pleasant Valley Sanatorium. Waipiata : Waipiata Sanatorium. Oamaru : Annexe for tuberculous patients at the Public Hospital. Waimate : Annexe for tuberculous patients at the Public Hospital. Timaru : Annexe for tuberculous patients at the Public Hospital. Christchurch : Cashmere Sanatoria ; Open-air School, Fendalton. Wellington : Ewart Hospital; Public Hospital. Otaki: Otaki Sanatorium. Waipukurau : Pukeora Sanatorium. Palmerston North : Annexe for tuberculous patients at the Public Hospital. Hamilton : Annexe for tuberculous patients at the Public Hospital. Auckland : Public Hospital; Tuberculosis Shelters at the Auckland Infirmary, Epsom ; Shelters for returned-soldier patients ; Cornwall Park School. Sittings were held at various centres in New Zealand, and a large number of witnesses were examined, as shown in the following table :—

2

' Places and Dates of Sittings. Witnesses examined or Work done. Dunedin, Saturday, 2nd June, 1928 .. Meeting of Committee : Election of Chairman ; arrangement of itinerary. Dunedin, Sunday, 3rd June, 1928 .. .. Meeting with Dr. Valintine. Dunedin, Monday, 4th June, 1928.. .. Dr. C. E. Lyth, Medical Superintendent, Wakari. Dr. James Thompson, Medical Superintendent, Public Hospital, Dunedin. Dunedin, Tuesday, 5th June, 1928 .. Dr. M. A. Champtaloup, School Medical Officer. Dr. J. H. Crawshaw, Medical Officer of Health. Dr. E. S. MacLean, Medi6al Officer of Health. Dr. M. H. Watt, Deputy Director General of Health, Health Department. Mr. W. S. Knight, Chairman, Otago Hospital Board. Mr. Quelch, Member of Otago Hospital Board. Dr. James Eitzgerald, representing British Medical Association (Otago Division). Dr. William New lands. Professor C. E. Herous, Professor of Bacteriology and Preventive Medicine, Otago University. Waipiata, Wednesday, 6th June, 1928 . Mr. J. Matheson, Chairman, Waipiata Sanatorium Committee. Mi'. T. Pryde, Secretary, Waipiata Sanatorium Committee. Waipiata, Thursday, 7th June, 1928 .. | Dr. A. Kidd, Medical Superintendent, Waipiata Sanatorium. Mr, J. Ritchie, member of Waipiata Sanatorium Committee,