H.—3l.

Schools and School Buildings. School Medical Officers continue to report on School Sanitation and to draw attention to conditions requiring remedy. The reports note an improvement in this direction. The newer type of school, which approximates more to the open-air type, is an undoubted advance. Medical Examination of Applicants for Entrance into the Teaching Profession. With the reopening of Training Colleges, the work of examination of entrants into the teaching profession was substantially increased, some one thousand being examined. Attention is drawn in several cases to the fact that a certain number of candidates presented themselves for examination while suffering from such remedial defect as dental caries; a large percentage of defective eyesight was also noted. Generally speaking, the reports of School Medical Officers were favourable with regard to the type of applicant. Arrangements for the examination during their last year of school life of those secondaryschool pupils who wish to enter the teaching profession have been resumed, the object being to give those applicants found to be unsuitable an opportunity while yet at school of qualifying for some other profession. Secondary and Denominational Schools.—Secondary schools and Church schools were examined by School Medical Officers in accordance with request. The Division of School Hygiene wishes to express appreciation to the Education Department, Mental Hospitals Department, various Education Boards, School Committees, and teachers for valuable co-operation. A. G. Paterson, Director, Division of School Hygiene.

PART IV,— HOSPITALS.

Ī have the honour to submit my annual report for the year 1935-36. Building Operations. Building activities of the various Hospital Boards continue to show an increase. This is a natural sequence to a period of comparative inactivity and postponement of capital works. The number of people seeking admission to public hospitals is increasing, with the result that in many eases the available accommodation is insufficient to meet demands. For some years attention has been drawn to the overcrowding of hospital wards and the use of verandas as permanent bed accommodation. In order to obtain a rough estimate of the extent of building operations considered necessary during the next five years Hospital Boards have been urged to set out " a five-year building programme" for the various institutions. Some of the Boards have not yet complied with this request, but a perusal of those to hand indicates that in some instances a good deal of consideration has been given to the proposals. The estimated requirements show considerable variation —from a complete reorganization and rebuilding of the main hospital to comparatively small additions. Throughout the coming year an endeavour will be made to assist Boards in this matter, and, indeed, this has already been done for some. When giving consideration to present building requirements the Boards are urged to consider their future needs in order that any additions made will fit in with probable future extensions. Unfortunately this has not always been done in the past, and consequently many difficulties arise when additions are being planned. The following are the chief items which are either in progress or should be ready to commence during the next year:— Wallace Hospital Board. —Installation of heating and steam services. Southland Hospital Board.—The new hospital at Kew is still not completed. This, however, should be ready for occupation during next year. Otago Hospital Board.—The new administration block is completed, and building operations on the new Queen Mary Maternity Hospital should shortly be commenced. Plans and specifications have now been prepared for a new connecting corridor and a lecture hall. Waipiata Sanatorium Committee. — Additional accommodation for both nurses and patients is to be undertaken during the coming year. Waitaki Hospital Board. —Additions to the Annex for tuberculosis patients is proceeding. South Canterbury Hospital Board.—This Board has a large programme of building operations in progress at Timaru. The additions to the Nurses' Home are under way, and during next year the new ward block, theatre block, engine-house and laundry, &c., should be in "progress. At Waimate Hospital a new theatre block is proposed. Butter Hospital Board. —The installation of steam and heating services at the Buller Hospital is proceeding.

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