H—3l

The main difficulty facing three of these hospitals is that their work is done in buildings which can only be regarded as obsolete. The fourth, Auckland, has a reasonably good hospital building, but needs additional living-accommodation for its staff and a new building for an ante-natal clinic. At Christchurch the building of a new hospital has been commenced, and it is expected that it will be completely equipped and ready for occupation early in 1951. In addition, plans for a nurses' home in Christchurch are now being prepared. In Wellington, difficulty is being experienced in finding a suitable site for a new St. Helens Hospital, and as a temporary measure it is proposed to carry out extensive renovations to the present building. GENERAL World Health Organization This organization, the constitution of which was determined at the International Health Conference held in New York in June-July, 1946, came into being early in 1948, when twenty-six members of the United Nations, including New Zealand, had ratified the constitution. By 31st March, 1949, sixty nations had notified their adherence, but three Eastern European members have given notice of their withdrawal. The first World Health Assembly was held in Geneva in June, 1948, and New Zealand was represented by Dr. P. S. Maclean, Director of the Division of Public Hygiene, as chief delegate, and Mr. T. P. Davin, of the Office of the High Commissioner, London, as alternate. The Organization has taken over the activities of the Medical Section of the extinct League of Nations, and the Office International d'Hygiene Publique which will shortly cease to exist. By a resolution of the Assembly, the transport expenses of one delegate from each member State to the annual meetings of the Assembly are paid by the Organization. Thus distance does not impose any extra financial burden on any member State, and New Zealand, as the most distant member, benefits accordingly. Boards Associated With the Department Board of Health The Board of Health held three meetings in the year. As in previous years, much of the Board's attention was occupied with proposals of local authorities concerning schemes for the installation or improvement of water-supply and drainage services where for various reasons it was not appropriate for a poll of ratepayers to be taken. As a standard procedure in these cases the Board obtains reports on the health, engineering, and financial aspects from the Government Departments concerned. The following list shows the principal requisitions issued by the Board during the year, under the authority contained in section 22 of the Health Act, 1920 £ Lyttelton (Diamond Harbour) : Water and drainage .. 26,000 Hutt County (Days Bay) : Water and drainage .. .. 26,000 Christchurch City: Water-supply .. .. .. 151, (XX) Nelson City : Sewerage . . .. . . .. 20, (XX) West Harbour Borough : Water-supply.. .. .. 12,300 Geraldine : Chlorination of water-supply .. .. 1,500 Auckland: Waterworks .. .. .. .. 135,900 Wellington : Waterworks .. .. .. .. 30,000 Te Kuiti : Water-supply . . .. .. 22,250 Lower Hutt: Water-supply .. .. .. .. 28,875 Henderson: Water-supply .. •• •• 12,000 Greymouth : Water-supply and drainage .. .. 42,000

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