54

H.—3l

Dangerous Infectious Diseases. There has been an entire absence of even a " scare " in connection with the class o£ dangerous infectious diseases, with the exception of one case of leprosy. This was the case of a man who had been resident in Christchurch for some years, having come from Queensland to New Zealand about twelve years ago. It is highly probable that he became infected in Queensland, although the disease did not appear until much later. He is at present being isolated on Quail Island. Tuberculosis. The number of notifications received during the year from all sources was 108, as against 131 last year. How far this number is a true record of the fresh cases that have occurred in the district is a matter of some doubt. Notices of 77 deaths from tuberculosis were received at this office, and for the year ending the 31st December, 1905, there were 44 deaths in Christchurch from phthisis, as compared with 42 in the previous year. Canterbury Sanatorium for Consumptives. It is over a year ago since I first proposed to the North Canterbury Hospital Board that the Hospital Boards in the district should combine for the purpose of the erection and maintenance of a sanatorium. In my last report I stated that I thought there were good grounds for stating that during the current year continuous though possibly slow progress would be made in providing accommodation for consumptives. The progress has certainly been slow, but it has nevertheless been satisfactory and on sound permanent lines. The following is a brief account of the steps taken in the district to forward this movement:— . _ . In May, Dr. Valintine and I attended a meeting of the local branch of the Medical Association, and asked for their support in the movement. This support was promptly and cordially given. A deputation of the Medical Association subsequently waited on the Hospital Board and asked them if they would undertake to maintain a sanatorium if the Medical Association were successful in raising sufficient funds by private subscription to erect and equip a suitable instibution. At that meeting the following resolution was carried : " That a letter be forwarded to the Medical Association stating that the Board are in full sympathy with their proposals as regards the establishment of the sanatorium, and will afford every assistance possible." At a subsequent meeting of the Board the following resolution was carried : " That upon the Medical Association erecting and equipping an up-to-date sanatorium for the treatment of consumption and handing the same over free of debt, the North Canterbury Hospital Board hereby agree to take over and maintain the said sanatorium as one of the institutions of the North Canterbury Hospital District." The carrying of this resolution was of great importance inasmuch as a local body representing the ratepayers agreed to maintain a new institution which would to some considerable extent increase the amount of rates which that body had levied in the past. On the 6th July a public meeting was held in Christchurch at which it was resolved " That it is desirable that a new sanatorium for the treatment of tuberculosis should be erected in the North Canterbury ! Hospital and : i a j general committee consisting of representatives of local bodies and various other representative institutions was appointed to further the object. This committee appointed an executive committee which has practically done all the work in connection with this movement. For some time the question of the acquisition of a suitable site was a matter of considerable anxiety and trouble to the members of the executive committee. This anxiety was suddenly removed by the generous offer by the owner, Mr. J. Cracroft Wilson, and the trustees, of a most suitable site on the Cashmere Estate on the Port Hills. The site comprises about 11 acres, part of which is a knoll about 200 ft. above sea-level, with a sufficiently flat area on which to place the administrative buildings. The site is about half a mile from the terminus of the Colombo Street tram, and about two miles from the Christchurch Railway-station. Taking everything into consideration, it is doubtful if the executive committee could have chosen a more suitable site if they had had a free selection of any site within ten miles of Christchurch. The net result of the movement up to date is the undertaking of the Hospital Board to maintain the institution, the acquiring of the free gift of a very valuable and suitable site, the collection of about £3 000 by private subscription, the agreement of the South Canterbury Hospital Board to pay their share of the cost of erection and maintenance, and the preparing of plans by the architect, Mr. Hurst Seager, which have met with the approval of the Executive committee, the Hospital Board, and the Health Department. The estimated cost of the buildings, equipment, and site was £15,000. The site has been valued at £1,650; the amount in hand therefore with Government subsidy on private subscriptions and site is about £8,600. The proportion that should be contributed by the South Canterbury Hospital Board and the Ashburton Hospital Board (if the latter agree to come in, which I have little doubt they will do), including subsidy, is £4,000. The amount of money therefore that is m viewnamely, £12,600—amply justifies the executive in calling for tenders and accepting a tender for at least a portion of the buildings. Up till recently the general impression among the public seemed to be that the position was hopeless and that there was no prospect whatever of the sanatorium being put up ; but I think that the above statement shows that the speedy erection of the buildings has passed beyond the points of probability and reached those of certainty, and that the work done by those connected with the movement, although not of such a sensational character as to appeal to some portion of the public, is a work for which they deserve every credit. . , -, ~~. . ~ There have up to the present been legal difficulties in the three Hospital Boards m the district combining for the erection and maintenance of the sanatorium, and unfortunately no amendment of the Act was passed last session doing away with these difficulties. The Minister has now authorised