H.—3l.

In order to provide a basis of comparison, I would first of all quote the results of an examination of fifteen Maori skulls and jaws which I personally carried out at the Auckland War Memorial Museum through the courtesy of the Director. They are as under:— (1) From Opunake —skull and mandible ; 21 | 12367 missing (dropped out) ; remainder show attrition, but perfectly free from caries. (2) From Ivawa Ivawa —skull only ; only 76 |67 present; attrition ; free from caries. (3) From Waiuku —skull only ; 6ED | DE6 present; attrition ; free from caries ; 7 j erupting. (4) From Whangarei heads—skull and mandible ; full dentition, but | E retained and | 5 absent; no attrition ; darkening in fissures, but no caries. (5) From Muriwai —mandible only ; all teeth present except 8 | , of which no sign ; marked attrition of all except 7 j 78 ; 7 j showed dark fissures, but no caries. (6) From Muriwai—mandible only ; marked attrition, especially of 6 | (3, but none of 7 | 7 ; latter showed dark fissures, but no caries. 8 I 4 (7) From Chatham Islands —skull and mandible ; | dropped out; no sign of ( 8 having been present; very marked attrition ; incisors as sharp as chisels ; 6| 6 worn down until pulp exposed ; | 6 shows signs of alveolar abscess ; no caries. (8) From Chatham Islands—skull and mandible ; 1 | 1 missing ; no sign of 8 [ ; attrition, especially of first molars ; no caries. (9) From Chatham Islands —skull only ; | 278 dropped out; remainder worn flat, except 87 | carious fissures in 8| . (10) From Muriwai —skull only ; 4| 1 dropped out; slight attrition ; high polish ; darkened fissures in 8 | 8, but no caries. (11) From Kaipara Heads —skull only; I| 1 dropped out; attrition, especially of 6| 6, which exhibit jagged edges of enamel; no caries. (12) From Paratutai —skull and mandible ; all teeth present; attrition, especially of first molars ; third molars dark fissures, ? carious. (13) From Hokianga—mandible only ; large and well developed ; all teeth present; attrition ; distal cavity in 6 | . (14) From Panmure —mandible only ; 87 j 678 had been removed ; marked attrition of remainder ; no caries. (15) From Waiuku—mandible only ; very large ; marked attrition of 6 | 6 ; slight attrition of remainder, except 8| 8 which showed none at all; no caries. These skulls and mandibles exhibited altogether only two definitely carious teeth (specimens 9 and 13), and four (specimen 12) in which the presence of caries was doubtful. Mr. Bangi's figures, showing 6-3 carious teeth per Maori child, form a striking contrast. Furthermore, the attrition common to all these specimens will not be found in the modern if the diet described below is adhered to. The following is a summary of his report on one of the best of his schools:— Examination of Maori Children at Te Paroa-Totara Native School (no previous treatment). Number of children examined . . .. . . . . .. 87 Percentage of children with dental caries .. .. .. .. 94-25 Total number of teeth examined .. .. .. .. ..2,125 Total number of carious teeth . . . . .. . . .. 549 Percentage of carious teeth .. . . .. . . .. 25-83 Average number of carious teeth per child .. .. .. .. 6-3 The following comments offered by Mr. Rangi in regard to the above figures are of more than passing interest— Living Conditions.—The standard of the living conditions of the Maori parents in this school district is very high, and is reflected in the personal appearance of the children attending school. It is the best in my area. The children are well nourished, and are of good physique. Indulgent parents, who, out of mistaken kindness, shower their children with sweets and other luxuries, could be easily identified; on oral examination being carried out, their children have most carious teeth. On the other hand, children who hardly ever enjoy these luxuries have little or no dental work at all. These facts are borne out by my dental examinations of other schools in my group. Distribution of Caries. —Mostly in deciduous teeth. Of the permanent teeth, lower first molars are the most affected —especially on the buccal aspects at first, then on the fissures occlusally later. Last of all, upper anteriors become affected, both mesially and distally. This state of upper anteriors is prevalent throughout the area. Oral Cleanliness.—Very lax or none at all. Toothbrush never used. Diet. —Maori children of the present day are brought up on soft pappy foods. Most live on tea and bread, usually white bread. Tea is taken well sweetened, and the bread eaten after being steeped in the tea. Children cannot help but eat in this manner, because soon after being weaned their mothers fed them thus, till they were quite big, and hence it has become a habit. This is borne out by the awful conditions of the mouths of some new entrants being treated not only at this school, but at all the schools in my district

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