H.—3l

6

covering the past five years, shows the number of cases dealt with by the Board so far as the registration of medical practitioners is concerned : —

* Includes 3(i with New Zealand qualifications. One very noticeable feature is the growing number of yearly additions to the register. In addition to dealing with matters arising directly from the registration of medical men, the Board has also given the Department the benefit of its counsel on a multitude of matters relating to medical practice which have cropped up during the year, and for this help the Department is deeply grateful. Masseurs Registration Act. During the year, after exciting a good deal of public interest, the Masseurs Registration Act was placed upon the statute-book by Parliament. The measure is designed to protect the massage profession and the public. The administration of its provisions is placed in the hands of a Board of three, consisting of the Director-General of Health (who is Chairman), a person engaged in the practice of massage, and a registered medical practitioner. The Director-General of Health has deputed his position as Chairman to Dr. D. S. Wylie, C.M.G., C.8.E., F.R.C.S., Director, Division of Hospitals, who has, by reason of his experience in military orthopaedic hospitals in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, considerable experience of the training of masseurs and masseuses, and of the application of massage and other branches of physio-therapy in the treatment of disease. For the nominative positions on the Board the Government was exceedingly fortunate in securing the services of Miss L. E. Brandon, A.R.R.C, 1.8. T.M., N.Z.R.N., of Wellington, and Dr. H. Hardwick Smith, F.R.C.S., also of Wellington. Up to the 31st March the Board held three meetings and dealt with a total of 110 applications, of which two were refused registration. Although the Act provides the right of appeal to applicants who may be dissatisfied with the Board's decisions, no one so far has taken advantage of this provision. The work of the Board so far must be regarded as highly satisfactory. Plumbers Registration Act, 1912. Two meetings of the Plumbers Board constituted under the above Act were held during the year. The Board held examinations under the Act in July and November, 1920. 239 candidates presented themselves, the result being as follows : Thirty-eight candidates qualified in the theoretical part, sixteen in the practical part, and fifty-eight qualified or completed in both parts of the examination and were duly granted registration. To date the names of 1,353 have been entered in the register. Out of this total thirty names have been removed through death. One name was removed from the register for a period of six months under section 21 of the Act. During the yea r 1,072 pocket certificates of registration have been issued. i SECTION O.—THE PASSING OF TN WAIKATO SANATORIUM. It is with very great regret that I considered it my duty to recommend the Minister to authorize the closing of Te Waikato Sanatorium. I well remember the enthusiasm with which this place was opened in 1902. Those who were present at the opening could hardly imagine a better place for a sanatorium for the treatment of consumption—situated on the wooded slopes of the Maungakawa Range, with a splendid view of the plains of the Waikato. The purchase of this property has certainly been amply justified, but now, however, that the wooden buildings have fallen into such a state of disrepair it would indeed be shortsighted to recommend an expenditure of some £30,000 to put the place in repair and bring it up to date. Its distance from the railway also makes the institution very difficult to administer economically, and now that we have a sanatorium of modern design at Pukeora it would seem better to enlarge that institution and develop others in the South Island. Te Waikato has fulfilled its part, and the place will ever be memorable as the first attempt in this Dominion to deal effectively with the " white plague." In conclusion, I take this opportunity of thanking the heads of divisions 2nd those officers of the Department who have so loyally supported me. As I write, the names of many occur to me for special mention ; but, while I thank them collectively, I cannot refrain from specially thanking for their splendid and loyal service my old friends and colleagues Dr. J. P. Frengley, Deputy Director-General, and Dr. R. H. Makgill. T. H. A. Valjntine, Director-General of Health.

1916. 1917. 1918. 1919. 1920. Number on register on 1st January Number added during year by registration Number added during year by restoration Number removed during year on evidence of death] Number removed during year by direction of Medical Board Number removed during year by direction of Supreme Court 948 37 5 10 18 962 27 1 21 969 30 3 17 985 48 3 20 13 1,015 71* 5 25 2 Number on register on 31st December 962 969 985 1,015 1,064