H.—3l

School Hygiene.—Dr. Ada Paterson's report is distinguished by the important field work of the officers under her direction. The increased attention paid to notifications sent to parents relating to defects requiring treatment is very satisfactory. The medical inspection of our school-children is proving a most valuable means for the early detection of disease and of physical and mental defects. Maternal Welfare. —The work of the special officers concerned in maternal welfare has resulted in steady progress. Dr. Jellett's comments on technique, dangers from interference in midwifery practice, and the abuse of Csesarean section command attention. The reports of Dr. Paget and Dr. Elaine Gurr indicate the beneficial results arising from ante-natal care and the closer supervision of maternity hospitals. The inauguration of an Obstetrical Society amongst the medical profession of New Zealand should result in much good work being achieved in this direction. Nursing.—The Nurses and Midwives Registration Board has experienced a busy year carrying out the requirements of the 1925 Act dealing with important problems affecting the nursing services of this country. Thanks are due to the members of the Board for their aid in administering the Act. Thejjiigh standard of our nursing services reflects credit on those responsible for their training. Dental Hygiene. —The Director's concise report indicates the valuable service rendered by his Division. The satisfactory results of the primary and final examinations of the dental nurses speak well for the standard of training carried out by the supervising officers. The remarkable progress achieved in providing dental treatment for the children of the Dominion is indicated in the increase by 127,257 of the operations performed in comparison with the previous year. Maori Hygiene. —It is with much regret the Department is losing the services of Dr. Rangi Hiroa. Attention is drawn to the growing co-operation of the leading Maoris in the work of the health-conservation of their race in comparison to the regrettable attitude adopted by the followers of Ratana. SECTION 4.—MISCELLANEOUS. Board of Health. —Quarterly meetings of the Board of Health were held during the year. Requisitions were served upon a number of local authorities requiring the carrying-out of sanitary works. Some of these involved works of considerable magnitude. Other matters dealt with included the typhoid epidemic in Hawke's Bay, regulations for the control of hairdressingsaloons, medical research, loans for private-house drainage connections, goitre, &c. The thanks of the Government are due to the members of the Board for their co-operation. Medical Practitioners Act, 1914. —Four meetings of the Medical Council were held during the year under review. The following table, covering the past five years, summarizes the Board's work *ar as the granting of applications by medical men for registration, &c., are concerned : —

The work of the Medical Council is largely of a confidential nature, and involves inquiries into charges of misconduct which from time to time are made against medical practitioners. A number of such cases have been dealt with during the year. Masseurs Registration Act, 1920. —During the year the Masseurs Registration Board met quarterly. Besides dealing with ordinary routine matters, arrangements were made whereby students qualifying as masseuses at the Otago Massage School could undertake a post-graduate course at the larger hospitals. The syllabus of training for probationers intending to take the State Massage Examination was increased by the addition of training in the use of apparatus for ultra-violet treatment and diathermy treatment. Owing to representations made by the Board, the Chartered Society of Massage and Medical Gymnastics, England, has agreed to accept as members any applicant who holds the New Zealand State examination. The register of qualified masseurs contains 426 names. Plumbers Registration Act, 1912.—Tw0 meetings of the Plumbers Board constituted under this Act were held during the year. Examinations under the Act were held in June and November. At the June examination 194 candidates presented themselves for examination, the results being that sixty-two candidates passed in the theoretical and forty-four in the practical, whilst fortyeight qualified for registration and were placed on the register. At the November examination 190 candidates presented themselves for examination, the results being seventy-three candidates passed in the theoretical and thirty-nine in the practical; forty-four qualified for registration, and had their names duly recorded on the register. To date, the names of 1,797 plumbers have been entered in the register, and thirty-five removed through death. The Gazette notice for 1927 contains the names of 1,236 plumbers.

4

1922. 1923. 1924. 1925. 1926. Number on register on 1st January .. .. 1,071 1,073 1,138 1,204 1,211 Number added during year .. .. 34* 77f 85$ 78§ 94|] Number removed during year .. .. 32 12 19 71 22 Number on register at end of year .. 1,073 1,138 1,204 1,211 1,283 * Includes 21 with New Zealand qualifications. f Includes 59 with New Zealand qualifications. J Includes 67 with New Zealand qualifications. § Includes 59 with New Zealand qualifications. || Includes 69 with New Zealand qualifications.