i-i.-:;!

constant disappointments and difficulties. The patience and pluck they display in spite of all these disabilities is admirable, and has earned for them more recognition and support than they have hitherto received. It is satisfactory, however, to note that the Heispital Boards are beginning to appreciate the value of the work done. Agreements have been made with the Bay of Islands and Waikato Boards as to payment of their expenses, and the latter have provided a horse and equipment for the nurse stationed at Taumarunui. The Bay of Plenty Board have alsei provided a horse, and find it in paddocking, for the nurse at Tauranga. The Thames Hospital Board have from the first given every support to the Native nurse, anel this year have received a demonstration of the value of her services, for their district, despite the spread of typhoid generally among the Natives in the province, has been singularly free from the disease. At Rotorua, also, among the Natives living at Whakarewarewa there has been little disease —a result no doubt of the special supervision which has been exercised over this settlement during the past two or three years. There are therefore sufficient signs of progress to warrant the Department in making every endeavour to encourage the Native nursing branch. More nurses are required, especially at Opotiki East, Hokianga, and in the Mangonui County, where conditions are especially bad. The Department also should recognize the discouraging conditions under which the nurses work, and could reasonably make further efforts tei secure for them comfeirtable housing and means of transport. A special word is due to Miss Bagley, on whom falls the chief burden of organizing this service. The establishment of eight or nine hospital camps during the year at short notice, and in. more or less inaccessible places, is no small work, and speaks well for the system she has established. The Inspectors in the various infected districts have throughout given loyal support and assistance tei the nursing staff in establishing these camps. Should the need ever arise, our Army Medical Service, woulel finel the elements for a field hospital organization already well established and ready for service at a moment's notice in any part of the province. The following medical officers have been appointed to attenei Natives in their districts during the year:— Dr. Phippen .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Wellsford. Dr. Latchmore .. .. . . .. .. .. .. Taupo. Dr. Macfarlane . . . . . . . . . . . . To Puke. Dr. Smith .. .. .. .. .. . . .. Rawene. The District Health Officer, Wellington, reports : — . The largest typhoid epidemic of the year occurred at "Raetihi. The Wanganui Boarei established a temporary hospital in the schoolhouse, to which all the casess were removed. There was a small epidemic among the Natives at Patea and a few cases in the Cook and Waiapu districts. Nurse Cormack, To Karaka, reports having visited 30 pas, inspecting and instructing, paying altogether 92 visits, attending 77 cases eif sickness, including 3 confinements, and 23 sick babies, during the year nursing throughout 16 cases typhoid fever. Most of the pas show a decieled improvement as regards general health. Nurse Lewis, Otaki, was granted twelve months' leave on the 26th May to attend to private business in England. Advice has been receiveel that she has gone to the war with one of the nursing divisions. Nurse Te Au, who is relieving her, reports since the 26th May she has visited 13 pas, inspecting anel instructing, paying 1,306 visits since she took over. She has attended 226 cases of illness, 3 confinements, 7 deaths. The general health in all pas has been exceptionally good. The following extracts from Nurse Beetham's report on the work in Taranaki District are of more than ordinary interest, and may be taken as a sample of the effects that may be looked for fiom the establishment of Native nurses :— " The total number of patients attended and adviseel during the year 1914 is 174. " There was most sickness during the months of March and August, when the number of patients totalled 22 and 23 respectively. During June and July the.number totalled 17 and 18, while in February, April, and October the number was down to 14. " The greatest decrease in sickness proved to be in the months of May and December, the number of patients in the latter being 7 only. " The year has proved remarkably free from epidemics, whooping-cough being the only persistent one ; and though other epidemics have prevailed amongst the Europeans, the Natives have not been affected. " The district has been free from enteric fever, though I believe one or two Native patients received treatment in the Hospital. " Chest complications are most frequently met with, and demand, I suppose, half of one's time. There has been a groat amount of sickness amongst infants and children. A great amount of time is devoted to this portion of the work, and instruction given to the relatives re correct management, &c. " The people arc most negligent in the artificial feeding of infants ; the feeding of children is little better. " The subject of diet is probably one of the most difficult things to instil into the Native mind, both in sickness and in health. " It is difficult to give a correct estimate of the birth-rate ; 17 totals the number that I have been able t record. Registration is now being steadily enforced, and will prove a great assistance in our work as well as elevating the race. It is only epiite recently that compulsion has been resorted to in this Native district; consequently many objections anel arguments are raised by the people as to the necessity of it. " Obstetric nursing is greatly required. The people persist in adhering to their old customs, and, generally speaking, assistance is not sought till complications have arisen.

27