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Wairoa Hospital. —The effects of the earthquake here were also very severe, the Nurses' Home, in particular, suffering considerable damage. In the hospital buildings only minor damage was done. It will be necessary to demolish the Nurses' Home down to the foundations. W aipukurau Hospital.—Some damage was also done to the institution, and strengthening and repair work will be necessary. Paimerston North Hospital. Earthquake damage here is largely confined to the upper story of the kitchen block. This will require bracing and strengthening. The following are extracts from the annual reports of the Medical Superintendents of the - departmental institutions :— Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer Springs. " There has been the greatest endeavour made during the whole year to reduce the expenditure of the institution and to economize in every possible direction. At the same time an effort has been made to maintain the essential efficiency of the hospital. Very considerable reduction both in staff and expenditure has been effected. " Women's Hospital : This section of the hospital has remained fully occupied, and conditions continue to be satisfactory, excepting that at times there has been some overcrowding. " Male Hospital: There has been considerable lessening in the number of patients presenting for admission, this being partly due to conditions external to the hospital. Some improvements have been effected by the opening-up of further single rooms, which have proved both satisfactory and profitable to the institution. " Nursing Staff : There have been comparatively few changes in the nursing staff during the year, excepting that there has been a considerable reduction in the number of sisters and hospital aids employed. " Massage Section : General conditions are much improved with the opening-up of the new massage block and bath-house. Both have proved very adequate. The staff in this section has been reduced, and the work is proceeding fairly satisfactorily. " Electric-light Service : There has been considerable difficulty during the year, owing to the lack of sufficient electric power, but with the installation of the new standby plant our difficulties should be overcome, and an extra amount of power should be available for sale to the public. There is no doubt that the sale of electric power has proved a profitable service, but the shortage is a source of continual anxiety. Grounds and Public Gardens : The grounds and public gardens of the institution have been well cared for, and the general appearance is satisfactory. " Farm : I have had no difficulty with the supply of milk, and the management of the farm appears to be satisfactory and profitable to the institution. The farm staff has been reduced to an absolute minimum, and a considerable amount of work has been done by the patients. " Medical Staff : During the year Dr. Lumsden was transferred to Pukeora Sanatorium, and Dr. Moller resigned to take a position at the Christchurch General Hospital. Dr. Tovey was appointed to Dr. Lumsden's position. Dental Service : _ Mr. Arthur Suckling, honorary dental surgeon, paid several visits to the institution, and his services have been of the greatest value to the patients and of considerable assistance to the medical staff. Red Cross : The Red Cross continues to maintain the recreation-rooms, and give cinematograph entertainments to the patients. The service given by the Red Cross is much appreciated by the patients, and proves a very useful adjunct to the amenities of the hospital. " I have received every help from the senior members of the staff in an endeavour to obtain an economic working, and extra work has been undertaken by them to make up for the reduction in the numbers. A considerable saving has been achieved both "in general expenditure and by reduction in the numbers employed." King George V Hospital, Rotorua. " Of the 934 patients under treatment in the wards during the year, 205 were Maoris, 93 were orthopaedic, and 19 were service patients. The past year has been marked by the closing-down of the orthopaedic department. The demands on this department in respect of infantile-paralysis patients have gradually decreased as the date of the epidemic has receded. The work done in that department has changed largely in recent years to the treatment of conditions such as congenital deformities and complicated fractures. The number of general patients has been well maintained, with the exception that there has been a lower incidence of infectious diseases in the district to be dealt with. On the other hand, an extensive use is being made of the accommodation provided for maternity cases. The total number of patients treated approximates very closely to the number treated when the orthopedic services were m full operation. A further concentration of the hospital services has been brought about with an added efficiency in the working of the institution and a marked lessening in the running-costs. Steps have been taken for the disposal of surplus stores and buildings. The reconditioning of the roofs of the wards now in operation and the repairs to roads and paths remain an urgent necessity."