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Army officer. Ages : Under sixteen years, 7 ; between sixteen and twenty-five, 48 ; between twentyfive and forty, 44; over forty, 9. Country of birth : New Zealand, 80 ; Australia, 5 ; England, 15 ; Ireland, 2 ; Scotland, 3 ; Finland, 1 ; France, 1 ; Chatham Islands, 1. During the year Miss Pownall, our esteemed Matron, decided to go on a visit to the Old Country. While every one recognized that she deserved a well-earned rest, the severance was received with great regret by the patients and staff. She is visiting most of the institutions in England connected with tuberculosis work, and we all hope that it may be a very pleasurable and profitable experience. Miss Davies, the Acting-Matron, was welcomed to Otaki. We are indebted to the secretary of the Red Cross Society, Wellington, for various donations of books, magazines, and gramaphone records, all of which have been much appreciated by the patients Mr. Morse, the local cinematograph-proprietor, continues to favour them with a weekly exhibition of pictures, and this is eagerly looked forward to. The Levin Branch of the Wellington Choral Society 'contributed a very enjoyable entertainment during the year. The installation of a wireless set has also afforded much pleasure. We have to thank the Education Department for the supply of School Journals for the children. In regard to the farm, operations under the direction of the Agricultural Adviser have been very successful, there being an ample supply of milk, cream, and mutton of first-class quality. In short, from a productive standpoint, the farm is a definite asset to the institution. Structural alterations were carried out in regard to the shelters, three four-bed. shelters being converted into two-bed shelters, each being lined with sanitas baize. Work in connection with the other outside shelters is in hand. Concrete paths and steps leading to the new east shelters have been made. The ornamental grounds have been well cared for ; they are very attractive and furnish an abundant supply of flowers, which are much appreciated. In conclusion, the general routine and work of the institution has proceeded satisfactorily and smoothly. SECTION 4.—PUKEORA SANATORIUM, WAIPUKURAU. Dr. G. Maclean, Medical Superintendent; Dr. G. M. Scott, Assistant Medical Officer; Miss A. L. Lundon, Matron. I am able to report that the work of the Sanatorium has proceeded satisfactorily throughout the year. The number of patients who received treatment during the year was 281, and of these 92 remain in hospital, while of those discharged 159, or 84 per cent., left the sanatorium as " disease arrested." Twenty, or 10 per cent., were discharged "unrelieved" and 10, or 5 - 2 per cent., died. Of these 10 patients 3 died of sudden pulmonary haemorrhage. On reliable evidence these men showed unmistakable signs of the disease for many years previous to admission, the figures in each case being 4, 1, 2, 2, 5, 8, If (uncertain), 2, and 9 years respectively. A return of all cases admitted during the last two years is informative in regard to the number of patients sent for treatment from the various hospital districts, as follows : Whangarei, nil; Kaipara, 2 ; Auckland, 55 ; Waikato, 33 ; Thames, 7 ; Tauranga, 1 ; Bay of Plenty, 2 ; Waiapu, 1 ; Taranaki, 4 ; Stratford, 4 ; Cook, 7 ; Wairoa, 1 ; Hawke's Bay, 21 ; Taumarunui, 2 ; Hawera, 5 ; Wanganui, 5 ; Palmerston North, 9 ; Waipawa, 9 ; Dannevirke, 4; Wairarapa, 13; Wellington, 86; Nelson, 6 ; Wairau, 1 ; Buller, 2 ; Grey, 4. A comparison of these figures in some cases with the huge number of notifications of the disease will show that the sanatorium is not being used by the larger populous districts, with the exception of Wellington. The Auckland and Waikato Districts send fewer cases than they should. The distance of the sanatorium from the northern part of the North Island cannot be considered a serious obstacle with present facilities for travel, when, for instance, a patient is able to leave Auckland at 7.45 in the evening and arrive at the sanatorium at 11.30 the next morning. The climatic change alone, which all Auckland patients remark upon, is worth the trip for them, and, with our average individual patients stay at about five months, more patients should be sent from these areas. Recent notifications for the Auckland District alone have shown as many as thirty-eight cases notified in one month. An endeavour should be made on the part of the Hospital Board concerned to get these cases away earlier for educative and curative treatment. Were the Auckland Hospital District to make similar use of the sanatorium as does, for instance, the Wellington District, in proportion to its size, the quota from Auckland would be more than twice the number given—viz., twenty-seven per year. Ninety-six out-patients' attendances are recorded, but this figure refers to Pension Department cases regularly reporting from an area extending from East Cape to Woodville. There have been many more civilian out-patients who have reported for examination subsequent to their discharge from the sanatorium. The total number of service patients treated during the last three years has been 178, and during that period of three years sixty-eight ex-service patients who have received treatment at varying periods since the commencement of our work here in 1919 have been readmitted to the sanatorium in consequence of recurrence of the disease. In contrast with this number, there have been only twelve civilian patients readmitted for treatment, which serves to illustrate that ex-service patients are being very well treated by the Pensions Department. A comprehensive after-history questionnaire of all cases ever treated at the sanatorium has been completed up to the 31st March, 1927 —that is, covering a period of seven years. 1,071 requests for such information were made : 288 of these failed to make any reply, and 219 were returned through the Dead Letter Office. Of the remainder (564) 54 per cent, are doing a full day's work without any symptoms, 24-5 per cent, are part-time workers, 8-5 per cent, are invalids, and 13 per cent, are dead. In the seven years under review 722 civilian patients have been treated, and of

9—H. 31.

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