H.—3l

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The New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association lias decided to use the sum contributed towards the establishment of the course as a fund for the assistance of suitable nurses who may otherwise be debarred owing to lack of means from participating in its benefits. The organization of this course is planned on the lines of a teachers' training-college, and is affiliated with Victoria University College for lectures in certain subjects. Like the normal school attached to such a training-college, the Wellington Hospital and Public Health organizations provide the wide practical experience in which the greater part of the students' time is spent. The Department appreciates very highly the co-operation of these bodies in its efforts to provide a sound practical basis for the course. Preliminary Training-schools. We are now a little nearer the establishment of preliminary training-schools for pupil nurses throughout the hospitals of the Dominion. It is hoped that as a step towards this end several of the smaller institutions may combine to establish central schools in which their respective candidates for training may be tested before being placed on the staff. The larger hospitals where this system is instituted, though on a modified scale, are already proving its worth in the increased efficiency of the pupils thus selected, as shown in the higher standard reached in the State examinations. Departmental Hospitals. King George V Hospital, Rotorua. —Eight nurses completed their training and passed the State examination, one being selected to take the post-graduate course in Wellington. There have been few changes on the nursing staff, but owing to an outbreak of enteric fever at Whakarewarewa it was recently found necessary to employ several additional nurses. Pukeora Sanatorium.—There is nothing of special importance to report on the nursing side. The work is carried out satisfactorily, and all concerned appear to act in harmony. Otaki and Sanatorium. —Miss Pownall, the Matron, returned in August from her visit to England, during which she saw many institutions devoted to the treatment of tuberculosis, thereby learning much that has proved helpful in her work. St. Helens Hospitals. Wellington. —During the year this hospital, with a bed state of thirty, had a daily average of twentythree patients. The number attended in the district was fifty-five. The trained staff consists of Matron, Sub-Matron, and five qualified nurses, the number of pupils in training being fifteen. There have been no cases of illness among the staff or pupil-nurses during the year. Fourteen pupi.l- - qualified and ten pupil maternity nurses. Miss Newman, who for many years was Matron of St. Helens, first at Christchurch and for the last six years at Wellington, retired on the 30th September, 1928, her place being taken by Miss M. Bagley, Matron of St. Helens, Wanganui. Miss Newman's knowledge and experience of midwifery are not entirely lost to the Department, as she has now been appointed a member of the Nurses and Midwives Registration Board. Auckland.—This, the largest of the State maternity hospitals, has had a daily average of twentyseven patients to its thirty beds. The nursing staff consists of Matron, Sub-Matron, and six doubly qualified nurses, while there are usually twenty-nine to thirty pupils in training. Here the average number of hours worked by nurses daily is eight and a half to nine. Pupil-nurses are given days of! duty in turn when possible. During the year one member of the permanent staff was on sick-leave for three months owing to heart-condition. Two pupil-nurses were off duty for varying periods —one as the result of an accident, the other suffering from the effects of influenza—but otherwise the health of the nurses has been good throughout the year. Unfortunately there have been several staff changes, and it has not always been easy to secure suitable substitutes, and this makes the administration of the hospital a somewhat difficult proposition for the Matron and Sub-Matron. Miss Broadley and Miss Potts are still occupying these positions. Twenty-five pupil - midwives qualified and thirteen pupil maternity nurses. Christchurch. —This hospital, with fifteen beds, has that number occupied daily. Miss Trotter, who has been Matron for the past two years, resigned in order to take up private work. Her place will be taken by Miss N. M. Ward, recently on the staff of St. Helens, Auckland, who has iust completed a course of training in Plunket nursing. Miss F. Wilson is still in charge of a very successful ante-natal clinic in connection with the hospital, and carries out an extensive follow-up practice in the homes of patients. It is greatly regretted that Dr. Lindsay, whose work as Medical Officer was so highly appreciated by the Department, was obliged through illness to relinquish his post, which is now being filled by Dr. Averill. The trained staff, apart from those already mentioned, consists of the Sub-Matron and three doubly qualified nurses, and there are fifteen pupil-nurses. Eleven pupil-midwives qualified and nine pupil maternity nurses. The average number of hours worked by the pupils is nine hours daily. Days off to the number of eight to ten are given to nurses undergoing the eight-months course, while those taking the twelve-months course are given fourteen days during that period if it is possible to arrange to do so.