H.—3l

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There have been few changes in the staff of the St. Helens Hospitals. The Medical Officers and Matrons and Sub-Matrons remain as last year, with the exception of Invercargill, where a new Sub-Matron, Miss Rhind, was appointed in place of Sister Kearnes, resigned. It is greatly to the satisfaction of the Department that these officers remain year after year at their posts. The Matrons especially have many difficulties, chiefly owing to the scarcity of domestic help. Miss Inglis, Matron of St. Helens, Wellington, has been granted six months' leave to visit England. Other Maternity Hospitals. Statistics for Year ending Slst March, .7920. Batchelor Maternity Hospital, Dune-din.—Number of patients confined, 164; 151 children born alive; 15 still-births; 3 maternal deaths and 5 infants' deaths. Five midwives were trained and registered during the year. McHardy Maternity Home, Napier. —There were 183 confinements; 178 children were born alive, including 5 sets of twins; 4 infants' deaths. Five pupils were trained and registered. Maternity Home, Blenheim. —Number of patients confined, 70; 71 children born alive, including 1 set of twins; there were no still-births, and no maternal deaths; 1 infant died. No pupils trained. Maternity Home, Picton.—Number of patients confined, 49; children born alive. 48; stillbirths, 2; maternal deaths, none. No pupils trained. Alexandra Home, Wellington.—Number of patients confined, 106; children born alive, 100; still-births, 2; maternal death, 1; infant death, I. Pupils trained and registered, 8. Egsex Maternity Home, Christ church. —Number of patients confined, 52; children born alive, 51; still-birth, 1; maternal deaths, none; infants' deaths, 4. Pupils trained and registered, 2. Cromwell Hospital, Maternity Home. —Number of patients confined, 51; children born alive, 4-9; still-births, 2; maternal deaths, none; infants' deaths, 4. Mangonui Hospital Maternity Ward. —Number of patients confined, 24; children born alive, 24; still-birth, 1; maternal deaths, none; infant deaths, none. No pupils trained. Hokianga Hospital Maternity Ward, Rawene.—Number of patients confined, 29; children born alive, 27; still-births, 2; maternal deaths, none. No pupils trained. Whangarei Hospital Maternity Hard.—Number of patients confined, 93; children born alive, 89; still-births, 4; maternal deaths, none; infant death, 1. Pupils trained and registered, 3.' Kawakawa Hospital Maternity Ward.—Number of patients confined, 35; children born alive, 35; maternal deaths, none; infant death, 1. One pupil trained and registered. Salvation Army Maternity Home, Christ-church. —Number of patients confined, 35; children born alive, 33; still-births, 2; maternal deaths, none, infants' deaths, none. No pupils trained. Salvation Army Maternity Home, Wellington.—Number of patients confined, 52; children born alive, 51; still-birth, 1; maternal deaths, none; infants' deaths, 3. No pupils trained. Salvation Army Maternity Home, Auckland. —Number of patients confined, 41 ; children born alive, 39; still-births, 2; maternal deaths, none; infants' deaths, 3. No pupils trained. Salvation Army Maternity Home, Roslyn, Dune-dim. —Number of patients confined, 46; children born alive, 46; still-births, none; maternal death. 1; infant death, 1. No pupils trained. Salvation Army Maternity Home, Gisbome. —Number of patients confined, 43; number of children born alive, 40; still-births, 3; maternal deaths, none; infant death, 1. No pupils trained. Salvation Army Maternity Home, Naiper. —Number of patients confined, 47; number of children born alive, 44; still-births, 3; maternal deaths, none; infant death, 1. One pupil trained and registered. Massage. It is hoped to again introduce the Bill for the registration of masseurs during the coming session. It is a measure which should be passed both for the protection of the public and of the women and men who have gone through a recognized course of training in order to qualify. The great impetus given to massage and electrical treatment by the need arising from the injuries caused by the war for skilled treatment has caused a large number of students to enter for training. It is being more and more recognized there must be trained masseuses on the staffs of hospitals, and a register to guide the Boards making appointments is almost a necessity. In the meantime all those who have qualified will be eligible for registration as soon as the Bill is passed. Home-nursing Lectures. Following on the influenza epidemic of 1918-19, the Department appointed nurses to give instruction to classes of people desiring to learn something of the care of the sick in their homes, or in cases of national emergency such as had just been passed through. The teaching thus given has been greatly appreciated, and with the assistance of the Women's National Reserve in forming centres and classes it has reached a very large number of people. There are still two nurses engaged in the work for the Public Health Department, both returned sisters. In the Auckland District Sister Mirams has been kept fully occupied, and has visited many country places. In the Wellington District Sister Janet Moore, A.R.R.C., carried on the lectures for four months, and for a shorter time in Dunedin, Otago, and Southland. Miss Lord was sent to Hawke's Bay and to Gisborne, and at the present time Sister West, who compiled a