H.—3l.

District Health nurses, mission workers, and all other bodies and persons known to be interested in the welfare of the Maori race in order to impress 011 the Maori people the necessity of proper feeding and care of infants. The death-rate from puerperal causes was 6-92 per 1,000 live births, which again is all too high. Here also the greatest difficulty to be contended with is lack of knowledge on the part of the Maori people. District nurses are giving valuable aid in this respect. With the advance of years the objection of the Maori people to hospital treatment will no doubt be overcome, and the number of confinements conducted in hospitals will increase with, it is hoped, a consequent reduction in the maternal death-rate. Fortunately there have been no serious outbreaks of typhoid and bacillary dysentery during the year. The death-rates per 10,000 from these groups of diseases for 1931 were 2-04 and 1-17 respectively. The ravages of respiratory diseases are still causing much concern. For the year 1931 the total deaths from all forms of respiratory diseases were 1,015, a rate of 148-14 per 10,000 of population, or 43 per cent, of the total of all Maori deaths. Of the 1,015 deaths referred to 128 were caused by various forms of pneumonia, 41 by influenza, and 222 by pulmonary tuberculosis. The greatest obstacles in combating pulmonary tuberculosis among Maoris are : Firstly, the difficulty of getting the patents under early medical treatment, and, secondly, the difficulty of ensuring suitable housing and proper feeding for the Maori people as a whole. The death-rate from cancer compares more than favourably with the general New Zealand rate. The total number of deaths amongst Maoris from this cause for 1931 was 21, giving a death-rate of 3-07 per 10,000 of population, whereas the general New Zealand rate for the same period was 10-33. During the year the Arapawa Maori Council, which has not been functioning since 1915, was reorganized and gives every promise of continuing as an active force. The majority of the other councils still continue to function in an active and efficient manner. Special mention might be made of the activities of the following Councils : Mangonui, Hokianga, Pewhairangi (Bay of Islands), Matatua (Bay of Plenty), Maniopoto (King-country), Whanganui, Kahungunu (Wairoa), and Arapawa (Blenheim). Health Education. —The triumph of sanitary science over environmental conditions and to a large extent over many of the communicable diseases is recognized. Still, on the other hand, when we survey the mortality arising from cancer, kidney-diseases, heart trouble, apoplexy, and other organic diseases during the early years and prime of life, it is evident that there is a vast wastage of valuable human life. One important means of preventing in some measure this annual loss is by widespread education of the public in health matters. During the past year considerable attention, therefore, has been centred on this important function of the Department. Pamphlets on cancer and the infectious diseases have been widely distributed. Health articles covering many subjects of public-health interest have been supplied to the press, and educational talks broadcast through the courtesy of the Broadcasting Board. Addresses have been delivered by officers to various organizations, and papers contributed at meetings of the New Zealand Branch of the British Medical Association. Boards associated with Department.—The various Boards associated with the Department have continued their work during the year under review. I refer to the Board of Health, the Medical Council, Plumbers Board, the Masseurs Registration Board, the Opticians Board, and the Nurses and Midwives Registration Board. Reference to the work of the last-mentioned Board will be found in the report of the Director, Division of Nursing. The usual practice in the past has been for quarterly meetings of these Boards to be held. Owing to the need for economy and the shrinkage in the amount of work requiring attention, some of the Boards have postponed some of their regular meetings. The smoothness with which these bodies perform their functions is a testimony to their wise and efficient personnel. Staff. I regret to record the death of Mr. H, W. Lambert and Mr. J. Annan, two officers who rendered loyal service to the Department. Drs. H. Chesson, W. B. Mercer, H. J. C. Wilkie, R. Collier, J. N. Keith, Mr. L. M. Shera, and Mr. E. Middleton retired on superannuation after years of able service. Before concluding it is fitting that I should refer in more detail to two other officers whose services have been lost to us. By the retirement of Dr. Henry Jellett, the Dominion was deprived of the service of an officer who took a prominent part in framing the departmental policy for the promotion of maternal welfare, and who can justly claim to share in the credit for the improvements which have been effected in the Dominion in this sphere of public health. Dr. Jellett, in leaving the Department, has the satisfaction of knowing that the work with which he had been associated is now on a sound footing. His masterly reports will ever remain a source of guidance and inspiration. Dr. Makgill is another officer whose retirement is chronicled with great regret. Dr. Makgill has an unequalled knowledge of New Zealand conditions. For the last twenty-nine years, interrupted only by war service, he has been actively employed in public-health administration both as a Medical Officer of Health in the field and as Consultant attached to Head Office. To his task he brought to bear a high degree of technical knowledge, mastery of detail, and outstanding administrative ability. The Health Act, 1920, and much of our Food and Drugs Regulations, to quote but two instances, are a permanent record of Dr. Makgill's work. In conclusion, I wish to express thanks for the support rendered me by officers of the Department during the year. M. 11. Watt, Director-General of Health.

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