H.—3l.

North Canterbury Hospital Board. —It is understood that this Board has discussed during the year the question of providing additional hospital accommodation in the Christchurch area. The decisions of the Board have, however, not yet been communicated to the Department, so that no comment can be made thereon. South Canterbury Hospital Board. —During the year a start was made with the erection of the threestory ward block including new X-ray and operating-theatre accommodation at Timaru Hospital. Following the completion of this, it is proposed to erect a new kitchen block, and to remodel and extend the existing laundry and boiler-house. Plans and specifications for a new theatre block at Waimate Hospital have been completed and this work should proceed in the near future. Waitaki Hospital Board. —A new children's ward has been erected, a large amount of finance for this being provided by Mr. Saltzman, of Dunedin. At present the Board is considering some remodelling of the old part of the hospital, and considerable extension to the Nurses' Home. Otago Hospital Board. —Following completion of the new administration block a new lecture-theatre has been erected, and a second one is now in course of construction. The new Queen Mary Obstetric Hospital is being built, and should be finished in the very near future. The Board also received authority to purchase additional land adjacent to the existing Nurses' Home for future hospital extension. It is understood also that the Board has had under discussion suggestions for additions to the main hospital. Plans and specifications for additions to the Nurses' Home at Wakari have been completed and a tender accepted. Southland Hospital Board. —During the year the new hospital at Kew was completed and occupied. It, however, proved not to have sufficient accommodation, so that it has been necessary to keep the old hospital in use. The Lome Farm Infirmary, has, however, been closed, and the patients therein have been transferred to the old hospital at Invercargill. It is probable that this old hospital will have to remain in use for a period of years, until the necessary additions to the new hospital have been decided upon. Wallace and Fiord Hospital Board. —A new steam and heating service has been provided at this hospital, but since the 31st March a fire unfortunately occurred, and the engine-room and boiler-house were completely destroyed. Vincent Hospital Board. —During the year this Board asked us to advise them on the future development of the hospitals m their area. After an inspection the Board was recommended as follows : — (1) To build a new Nurses' Home at Clyde Hospital. (2) To make certain necessary extensions and alterations to the hospital buildings at Clyde. (3) To erect a complete new hospital at Cromwell. (4) To remodel the existing hospital and convert it into a Nurses' Home. The Board adopted these suggestions and plans are at present being prepared. Maniototo Hospital Board. —It has been decided to proceed with extensions to the laundry and drying-room, and to put a sun-room at the end of the maternity ward. It will thus be seen that nearly all the Hospital Boards in New Zealand have more or less extensive building proposals in hand or proposed. . Amalgamation op Hospitals. During the year two Commissions were set up to consider amalgamation of adjacent Boards : — (1) A Commission has recommended that the Southland Hospital Board and the Wallace and Fiord Hospital Board should be amalgamated ; and (2) It lias also been decided by Commission that the Waihi Hospital Board, the Thames Hospital Board, and the Coromandel Hospital Board should amalgamate. Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer. The following are extracts from the annual report of the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Chisholm : — " I beg to present to you the annual report of the Queen Mary Hospital, and a report on the other activities of the Department of Health in Hanmer Springs. " The medical work with the patients has proceeded on the usual lines. The number of patients presenting for admission have increased, both on the male side and female side. The female division of the. hospital has been overcrowded, and there has been some difficulty in accommodating the number of patients presenting for admission. " The type of patient admitted has varied a little in that there has been a greater number of organic cases admitted than in the past. " Red Cross. —This society has now ceased to function at the hospital. During the past twenty years the Red Cross and the Y.M.C.A. have been engaged in recreational activities for the patients, and their work has been invaluable, and there is no doubt that the institution has greatly benefited from their work, and we have been much indebted to the Red Cross Society for all they have done during these past years. " Medical Staff. —During the year, Dr. Tovey, who has been on the staff for some seven years, had to resign on the grounds of ill health. This was very much regretted, as Dr. Tovey's services to the institution have been very great, and he had carried on the work during the years of the depression, when the medical staff was short, and he undertook a great deal of work very willingly. He served the hospital most loyally and conscientiously, and it was with the very greatest regret that his

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