H.—l9

6

Personnel.—The following is a list of the personnel employed in this Department, classitied according as to whether the individuals have had overseas service or not. Preference is given to men who have had service abroad, and endeavours are being made, as far as possible, to replace orderlies by V.A.D.s :— Overseas No Service (Service, overseas. Medical officers ... ... ... ... 37 3 Officers (not medical) ... ... ... ... 3 Sisters and masseuses ... ... .. ... ... 156 54 Non-commissioned officers and men ... ... ... 211 228 V.A.D.s ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 107 Male civilians ... ... ... ... ... 40 lg Female civilians ... ... ... ... \ 25 465 435 Artificial-limb Factory.—The artificial-limb factory located in Wellington is now working smoothly and turning out a number of new limbs, in addition to effecting repairs and dispensing accessories. During the year ending 31st March, 1920, sixty-six lower limbs and nine new upper limbs were made, and 496 repairs effected. The number of amputees now on the register is 1,007, of which 930 are remaining in New Zealand, the others having died, proceeded overseas, or have not yet returned to New Zealand. Included in this 930 are twenty-four individuals who have suffered double amputations. Artificial-limb workshops have been instituted at Christchuroh and Dunedin in connection with the splint workshops. At these workshops repairs are effected to artificial limbs, and, as trained men become available, limbs will be completed from the rough. No amputees whose stumps are ready and in a lit state for fitting remain unprovided with an artificial limb. In addition to the provision of two artificial limbs to each patient, a peg legis provided to lower-limb amputees whose occupation makes it more suitable than an artificial limb. Medical Stores. —A supply of drugs, dressings, and equipment for use in the various militaryhospitals and military wards attached to civil hospitals has been maintained throughout the year, and in addition a quantity of those items, to the value of £9,379 3s. 3d., has been supplied to the Health Department, Hospital Boards, returned medical officers, and sisters on repayment. Garrison dispensaries established in different parts of the Dominion have effected an estimated saving in prescriptions of £3,132 Cs. A large quantity of medical equipment, drugs, and dressings has been received from the hospital ships and other military hospitals overseas. Most of this equipment has been issued to military hospitals or to military wards of civil hospitals. lied Cross Supplies. —Of the shelters for tuberculosis patients received from England, a large proportion were provided by the Red Cross Society. These shelters were renovated in New Zealand after their arrival, and have been issued for cases of pulmonary tuberculosis as already described. This society also provided a number of ambulance-cars, now transferred to New Zealand. A quantity of medical stores, comforts, ami games provided by this society to the hospital ships and to medical units in England became available during the year for use in hospitals and sanatoria in New Zealand. The services of this society to the Medical Branch of the Defence Department have been of the greatest value. The provision of entertainments, recreation, and occupation which has been so generously provided by the Red Cross Society has materially contributed not only to the happiness, but to the actual recovery of disabled soldiers. 14. Dental Services. All ranks of the N.Z.E.F. overseas were dentally examined, and given treatment if necessary, prior to embarkation. Therefore very little dental work had to be given to returned soldiers on demobilization, and the Dental Staff has been reduced to the minimum number required to treat sick and wounded soldiers in hospitals. It is not proposed to retain a permanent establishment of the Deutal Corps, but experience in the war has shown the need for an army to be dentally tit, and the great influence sound teeth in a soldier have in reducing the rates of sickness and invaliding. It is proposed to maintain the Dental Corps as part of the New Zealand Territorial Force, utilizing it in all future camps of training of that Force. A definite establishment will be laid down which will provide for peace requirements and for the expansion of this corps for war purposes if necessary. 15. Educational and Vocational Training Branch. This branch has served a very useful purpose, and large numbers of patients in hospitals have benefited thereby. It is being gradually reduced as the hospitals now under the control of the Defence Department are transferred to the Civil authorities. 16. New Zealand Red Cross, V.M.C.A., Salvation Army, New Zealand War Contingent Association, and Patriotic Organizations. 1 desire to bring to your notice the good work done by the New Zealand Red Cross, V.M.C.A., Salvation Army, New Zealand War Contingent Association, and the various Patriotic Societies and kindred organizations on behalf of the sick and wounded soldiers in hospitals. I cannot speak too highly of the value of these organizations, which have done such good work towards alleviating the condition of the sick and wounded during the war, and which are still continuing their activities for the benefit of the unfortunate men who have been compelled to remain under treatment in hospitals in the Dominion.