H.—3l.

" Ornamental Grounds : The best that can be done with reduced staff is being done at present. Dangerous footways have been replaced by solid concrete paths and useless paths eliminated. There have been fewer patients than ever able to assist in gardening-work. The " work " cure as such does not now exist. " Farm : The farm is doing well. All our supplies come to hand with complete satisfaction. The milk test averages about 3-8 and the cream test 30-35. The latter test, I think, could be better. Arrangements have been made with the Department of Agriculture for more regular visits from the agricultural adviser in this district. " Canteen : The sale of the few requisites for the patients and staff still continues, but the returns are very much lower than in former times. The Department has been saved a great deal of expense by the use of the Canteen Fund for the provision of comforts for the patients. One of the biggest items of expense has been the provision during the last few years of complete wireless installation. The gift by the Red Cross Society in 1926 of the " Elstree " receiving-set, &c., provided wireless for the patients who were up and about, but the total provision for bed patients involved the expenditure of some £40. This is only one of the items in connection with the wireless service that the small Canteen Fund has provided. The cost of frequent expensive repairs is also borne by this fund. " Red Cross Society : As in former years, I desire to express my appreciation of the services rendered by the various visiting committees of the Red Cross Society. Despite the hard times, there has been no decrease in the gifts of the local branch on behalf of the patients, both service and civilian, at this institution. The executive of the Red Cross Society found it necessary from lack of funds to dispense with the services of Miss Shaw as Vocational Instructress. Miss Shaw ceased duty on the 31st March, 1932, and instructional work is being carried on by one or two of the older patients." The Medical Superintendents of both Otaki and Pukeora Sanatoria again draw attention to the large number of patients sent forward who are quite unsuitable for sanatorium treatment. The results achieved in these cases are naturally disappointing both to patients themselves and the staff of the institution. In conclusion, I can only express appreciation of the efforts of every member of the staff of the Hospitals Division in their endeavour to secure economy and efficiency. R. A. Shobe, Director, Division of Hospitals.

PART V,— DENTAL HYGIENE.

I have the honour to submit the following report on the work of my Division for the year ending the 31st March, 1932 :— SECTION I,—TREATMENT CENTRES, STAFF, ETC. Treatment Centres. —At the end of the period under review (31st March, 1932) the School Dental Service was in operation at 203 centres. Of these, 130 were main treatment centres and 73 were subbases. New clinics were established during the year at Fairlie, Gladstone Road (Auckland), Kaiapoi, Leeston, Methven, Naseby, New Lynn, Otorohanga, Picton, Port Chalmers, Queenstown, Runanga, Stewart Island, South Westland, Waimairi, Warkworth, Woodlands, and Woodville. The following subcentres have been made main treatment centres : Ashburton Borough, Carterton, Featherston, Inglewood, Sumner, and Waitara. One clinic has been closed owing to the refusal of the local Committee to undertake the necessary financial responsibility (vide infra). A few were without officers for varying periods owing to temporary shortage of staff, but additional dental nurses are now available, and work at these centres will shortly be in full swing again. Staff. —On the 31st March, 1932, the staff numbered twelve dental officers and 202 dental nurses, disposed as under : — Dental Dental Officers. Nurses. Administrative and training staff . . . . .. 9 2 (1 temporary) In school dental clinics .. . . . . . . 3 148 Reserve group (Wellington)*. . . . . . . . .... 22 In training. . .. . . . . . . .. .... 30 Total .. .. .. .. .. 12 202 I regret to say that the drastic curtailment of expenditure that was imposed on the Department during the year necessitated a reduction of staff, and, including certain officers who retired voluntarily, the services of thirteen officers were lost to the Dental Division.

* Consequent on the decision to appoint no probationer dental nurses in 1932, it has been necessary to arrange for a reserve of trained dental nurses to be retained in Wellington to assist in carrying on the work of the clinic there during 1932, and to be available to fill vacancies in the field in 1933. The number shown above (22) will be reduced by approximately two-thirds during the next few weeks in order to fill existing vacancies in the field.

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