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(b) That the new progressive and humane policy for the care and treatment of the mentally afflicted as set out by Dr. Sir Truby King, and recommended to the Government on his accession to the office of Inspector-General of Mental Defectives, and subsequently put in hand, has proved entirely in the interests of the patients and their welfare and the better working of the several institutions under the care of the Department. (c) That Dr. T. G. Gray, on taking over the superintendency of the Auckland Mental Hospital in 1925, was faced with a difficult task, and that he deserves the utmost credit for the able manner in which he gave interpretation to the new policy and carried out his duties. The Committee desires to record its high sense of appreciation of the excellent services rendered gratuitously by Mr. E. C. Blomfield as District Inspector, and Mr. John Alexander as Official Visitor at the Auckland Mental Hospital; and adds that a number of the improvements introduced into the New Zealand mentalhospital system making for the comfort and betterment of patients and staff are due to the recommendations made by these gentlemen, who have never spared themselves in investigating to the very utmost anything, however small, which may help any mental sufferer and add to the more efficient working of the system. The Committee also wishes to express its appreciation of the sympathetic attitude displayed by the Government through the present Minister of Health, Hon. J. A. Young, towards the adoption of humane methods in caring for and treating those coming under their care in the mental hospitals of the Dominion, and of the splendid results obtained through the policy in operation. [Minutes of evidence brought up ; not ordered to be printed.]

No. 1. —Petition of Stanley Bell-Booth, of Ponsonby, Auckland. Praying for the right to be examined under the Dentists Registration Act. I am directed to report that the Committee agreed to the following resolution, namely—That, in view of the evidence tendered to the Public Health Committee, and which the petitioner alleges has never previously been adduced, either before the 1926 Royal Commission or otherwise, the petition be referred to the Government for inquiry and such further action as in the circumstances may be deemed fit. 17th October, 1927.

No. 279.—Petition of Mabel J. Cartwright, of Wellington. Praying for reinstatement to her former position in the Health Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th November, 1927.

No. 11. —Petition of J. W. Perrett and Others, of Kawakawa, Bay of Islands. Praying that school-children be exempted from compulsory medical examination. I am directed to report that, the question being one of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th November, 1927.

No. 12. —Petition of Tai P. Toi and Others, of Kawakawa, Bay of Islands. Praying that school-children be exempted from compulsory medical examination. I am directed to report that, the question being one of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th November, 1927.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that this Committee records its high appreciation of the able, tactful, and impartial manner in which the Chairman, Mr. W. J. Girling, presided over the deliberations of the Public Health Committee during the present session, and desires that this resolution be recorded in the minutes and be reported to the House. J. Horn, 25th November, 1927. Member of the Committee.

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