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In conclusion, I would like to place on record my appreciation of the services of Mr. Saunders, Deputy Director, and those engaged in the training of the nurses. The keenness displayed by these officers, as well as the Inspecting Officers, is much to be commended. I cannot conclude without referring to the fine spirit of service which is displayed generally by officers and dental nurses throughout the Service. I would take this opportunity also of again expressing my appreciation of the ready assistance and co-operation generally of the Education Department, Education Boards, teachers, and members of Committees, &c., which has very materially tended towards that measure of success which I think it is admitted my Division has attained. Thos. A. Hunter, Director, Division of Dental Hygiene. PART Y. —NURSING. I beg to submit my annual report for the year ending 31st March, 1929. Nurses and Midwives Registration Act, 1925. The two examinations for the State registration of general nurses held in June and December show an increase of thirty-eight on the previous year's number, there being 351 candidates, of whom 304 were successful From countries overseas twenty-seven nurses were admitted to the register. The examinations for the State registration of midwives held in April, August, and December also show an increase, 117 candidates having been successful, as against ninety-six in 1928. Only five midwives from overseas were admitted to the register, owing to the standard of training in New Zealand having been raised. The number of candidates for registration in maternity nursing shows a considerable decrease. This is no doubt due in a large measure to the misapprehension in the minds of many as to the real scope of this training, which is practically equivalent to that of the midwife under the former Act, who almost invariably preferred to work with a medical practitioner. Nurses and Midwives Registration Board. There were five meetings of the Board held during the year. Personnel. —The personnel of the Board was changed through the retirement of Miss H. C. Inglis and Miss L. Kohn, and the appointment of Miss E. P. Tennant and Miss H. Newman. Present Scheme of Training of Midwives and Maternity Nurses. —The Board made a lengthy review of the present scheme of training for maternity nurses and midwives, and decided that the present scheme was a very great improvement over the previous scheme in force, and was of opinion that the present system should be retained. Instructional Course for Nurses. —The whole question of training received full consideration, resulting in the issue of an amended schedule of subjects in which candidates must be qualified for examination. The syllabus of training and instruction in invalid cookery was retained without alteration for further use. Regulations under the Nurses and Midwives Registration Act, 1925. —During the year the regulations under the above Act and the requirements of the Nurses and Midwives Registration Board were consolidated and, together with the Act, reprinted and bound in book form, the officers of all trainingschools being supplied with copies. Obstetrical Case-booJcs. —Additional pages were provided for these books so that persons in training as maternity nurses or midwives could record the number of " assistances at labour " and " lectures taken " in addition to the other information contained in the book. Reciprocity. —Reciprocity was arranged with the following additional countries : Tasmani a, New South Wales, South Australia, Scotland. Ante-natal Clinics. —It was decided to have ante-natal clinics established at all training-schools for maternity nurses. This was in addition to the previous decision to establish these clinics at training-schools for midwives. Post-graduate Course for Nurses. This course has more than justified its existence. It was decided to limit the number of students to twenty, it being difficult to arrange for practical instruction for a larger class. This year there are nineteen nurses taking the course. Of these, nine are sent on bursary by Hospital Boards with the understanding that they return for a stated period to the service of the Board concerned ; three are officers of the Department, also pledged to return to the Service ; while the remaining seven, having entered at their own expense, will be free agents at the conclusion of the six-months period of instruction. It is pleasing to note in this connection that nurses throughout the country are showing their appreciation of the value of this means of gaining additional knowledge. Many have announced their intention of taking the course as soon as they have saved the necessary amount to enable them to do so.