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as the result of experience, is an ardeni advocate of open-air schools of the Fendalton type, and bis enthusiasm and co-operation with Dr. Phillipps have been most valuable in demonstrating their advantages. A visitor to the school is impressed by its happy atmosphere and the evident pride of the pupils in their surroundings. The Taranaki open-air class-room with drop sash windows and ultra-violet glass panels meets also with the keen approval of its inhabitants. " There is no doubt but that the standard of cleanliness in the primary schools has improved in recent years. There is also no doubt but that it still falls, except in the minority of schools, far below a standard which would be considered satisfactory in the average home." (Extract from Annual Report for 1930.) The best use is often not made of existing facilities for fresh air, cleanliness, order, &c. The personality and influence of the teacher can be largely estimated by the attention given to the various amenities of school life. In country schools where there is no water carriage system, the condition of the outbuildings leave much to be desired, and too often their sordid state is assumed to be inevitable. School Medical Officers in one or two districts report upon the result of using oil preparations on the school floor which is beneficial in keeping down the dust. Dr. Cook, speaking of the sanitation of Native schools, states :— " A better sanitary conscience is an urgent necessity for both the child and adult population of the north. Children who are accustomed during their school days to makeshift and badly kept buildings and outhouses will not in later life see the necessity for anything better in their own homes. . . . One cannot close without paying a tribute to the work of many teachers who under extreme difficulties keep their buildings and grounds in very good order with excellent effects on their pupils. What one teacher can accomplish should be the aim and object of every teacher." Infectious Diseases. The following appeared in epidemic form during the year: Influenza, whooping-cough, measles, chicken-pox, and diphtheria. I'ioventive treatment for diphtheria has been continued, anatoxin being used as the immunizing ageni in place of toxin antitoxin. Drs. Wilson and Champtaloup treated certain schools and orphanages in the Auckland District, approximately seven hundred children being immunized. Dr. Wilson has forwarded interesting observations with regard to the use of anatoxin. In the East Cape district Dr. Turbott, as Medical Officer of Health, carried out an active campaign wit li excellent, results. The Division of School Hygiene wishes to express appreciation to the Mental Hospitals Department, Education Department-, various Education Boards, School Committees, and teachers for valuable co-operation. A. G. Paterson, Director, Division of School Hygiene.

PART IV.—HOSPITALS.

I have the honour to Bubmil my report for the year 1932-33. During the year the necessity for exercising the strictest economy was fully appreciated by the various Hospital Boards, with the result that the costs generally show a substantial decrease ; indeed, a few of the hospitals have now brought their costs down to" a commendably low figure which will require constant watchfulness to maintain. The problem of the small hospital has also been receiving some attention during the last year, and, in order to effect savings, arrangements have been made to close some of these as public hospitals and lease them to private individuals who conduct them as licensed private hospitals. In most cases the Hospital Board charges a purely nominal rental and pays the licensee a subsidy in order to ensure that no necessitous case is refused hospital accommodation. The hospitals concerned are principally maternity hospitals. While it is yet too soon to make a definite pronouncement, the indications are that the arrangements will be successful, assuring the same service to the locality whilst effecting considerable savings to public funds. The following are the names of the hospitals so far leased : Motueka, Port Chalmers, Huntly, Methven, Rakaia, McHardy Home (Napier), Denniston, Riverton (maternity), Nightcaps. In addition, there are two maternity hospitals (Tuatapere and Hokitika) established by Hospital Boards, which have been leased to private licensees for .some years. Other Boards have similar proposals under consideration. Buildings.— Considerable progress was made during the year with the rebuilding of Napier Hospital. There is now available a general hospital of 132 beds, with an additional twenty beds for isolation and tuberculosis.

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