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PART IX. —SPECIAL GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND SANATORIA: EXTRACTS FROM ANNUAL REPORTS OF MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS. SECTION I.—QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL, HANMER. Dr. P. Chisholm, Medical Superintendent; Dr. Moller ; Miss E. Hodges, A.R.R.C., Matron. The year has been a comparatively busy one, the number of patients seeking admission having been fairly constant. There has been a considerable amount of activity in reconstruction in respect of the buildings, endeavouring to make the older part of the institution more suitable. The main hospital has for some time been becoming more and more inadequate, and, owing to its flimsy structure, is showing signs of deterioration. A new floor has been put down in one of the wards, and both lavatory blocks have been reconstructed. The result has been most satisfactory. Considerable alterations have been made to the heating system. Owing to the gradual extension of the hospital, extra heating systems were installed to deal with each increase, until eventually there were no less than eleven separate heating systems throughout the institution. These have now been scrapped and a central heating plant installed. This is likely to prove very satisfactory, and once it is thoroughly established it should be a definite economy. The building of the new home for the nurses has been started, and should be completed during the present year. Female Section.—This section of the hospital has been fully occupied, and there has been a fairly long waiting-list. It will be advantageous to the women's section when the new home is completed for the nurses, as it will free the old hospital, which is at present used as an annexe to the Nurses' Home, for the women, and so relieve us from a certain amount of congestion. The number of women seeking admission continues to increase. Male Section.—The number of occupied beds remains fairly constant. There is a comparatively equal division between the number of Service and civilian patients. The building will require some further improvement in the near future. Red Cross. —The Red Cross Society continues to maintain the recreation-rooms for the male patients. This adds very considerably to the comfort of the patients. Massage Department.—The plans for the new department have now been completed, and I hope that the new building will be completed during the present year. When this is done it will relieve us of many difficulties. Electric-light Service.—This has been fairly satisfactory, and there has been an increasing demand for power in the village ; but this cannot be granted, owing to the limited supply. I anticipate great difficulties in the near future, owing to the need for the increase of power within the institution itself. As far as one can judge at present, this is not available from the present plant. Water Service. —This service has continued to give very great trouble and difficulty, and is a continual source of anxiety. During the winter, owing to a flood, part of the main pipe-line was washed away, and the hospital and the village were without water for a day, and then only a very limited supply could be obtained for a few days. In addition, considerable damage was done at the head of the waterworks. The Public Works Department had a gang of men repairing and reconstructing on the pipe-line for some four or five months. It is hoped that this will now improve matters, and cause us less trouble. Garden. —The public grounds and the hospital garden have been well cared for, and the general appearance repays labour involved. Farm. —The conduct of the farm has been satisfactory. There has been an adequate supply of milk, and sufficient potatoes to last us for the major part of the year. Mr. Bruce, Agricultural Adviser, has visited regularly, and given valuable advice and assistance. Bathhouses.—These are in a very bad state of repair, but with the building of the new massage department a certain section of the bathhouse will also be rebuilt, and this will give assistance. Tea-kiosk.—The tea-kiosk serves a useful purpose. I think it would be of great advantage if this kiosk was opened on Sunday afternoons. Maintenance. —The general fabric of the institution has been well cared for, and presents a satisfactory appearance. I propose during the present year to replace one ward floor with hardwood, and reconstruct a lavatory for men in the public grounds. This work will be carried out by the maintenance staff. I wish to express my appreciation of the work of the senior staff of the hospital, who have rendered loyal and willing service to the institution. I beg to thank you for your help and assistance during the past year. SECTION 2.—KING GEORGE Y HOSPITAL, ROTORUA. Dr. L. A. Lewis, Medical Superintendent; Dr. W. S. Wallis, Orthopaedic Surgeon; Dr. R. G. Phillips Turner, Assistant Medical Officer; Miss A. C. Searell, A.R.R.C., Matron. I have the honour to present the report on this institution for the past year. Of the 1,032 patients under in-patient treatment during the year, 861 were suffering from general diseases, as distinct from orthopaedic conditions. Of the 156 patients treated in the orthopaedic section, fifty-six were suffering from the after-effects of infantile paralysis, and had in practically every case been in-patients of this or other institutions previously. Other types of orthopaedic conditions dealt with in this department were birth-palsies, congenital deformities, malunited fractures, deformities following septic and tubercular bone and joint disease.

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