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Many more abnormal and. difficult cases have and are finding their way to the various St. Helens Hospitals, the work consequently of the staffs has been more arduous, but the experience gained has been of much value to the nurses in training, who are thereby enabled, to see a range of work which would not otherwise be possible. St. Helens Hospital, Auckland. —The new St. Helens Hospital, Auckland, is gradually approaching completion, and it is hoped that it will be opened within the next few months. The existing St. Helens Hospital in Auckland has been overcrowded on many occasions during the year just ended, and the new hospital is undoubtedly badly required. St. Helens Hospital, Christchureh. —Sterilizing facilities have been improved here and. the character of the nurses' accommodation bettered. Additional and better storeroom accommodation is also now in use. The long-promised new hospital is certainly required, and it is hoped that a commencement will be possible as soon as financial conditions permit. St. Helens Hospital, Wellington. —Requires better storerooms, and also fresh domestic staff quarters. This Hospital has again had a very busy year. St. Helens Hospital, Dunedin.- --Better facilities for the out-patient department and. the holding of the ante-natal clinic have been provided during the year with marked improvement in the character of the work done. Better storeroom accommodation has also been made. The Medical Superintendents, Matrons, and staffs of the hospitals and sanatoria under the Health Department have had a hard and trying time during the last year, more or less inevitable! with change of control and necessary adaptation to new conditions. Their work has been cheerfully and efficiently done, and I wish to express my keen appreciation of their labours. D. S. Wylie, Director, Division, of Hospitals. » PART IV.—CHILD WELFARE. SECTION I.—GENERAL ADMINISTRATION. During the year steady progress in child welfare has been made throughout the Dominion. How far the idea of doing the best for the child from conception to the end of school-life —the reason assigned for establishing the Directorate of Child Welfare —has been given effect to may be inferred from the following record of undertakings and work done during the past year : — Booklet for Husband and Wife. For the first time in the world an attempt has been made by the State to supply to those about to marry, and to every married woman under thirty-five years of age, a small text-book addressed to husband and wife, exhorting them to do the best for the growth and development of their potential progeny, and describing in simple terms the main essentials for safeguarding mother and child and promoting their health and fitness. There are some 92,000 married women in the Dominion under thirty-five years of age, and to nearly half of these " The Expectant Mother, and Baby's First Month " has already been posted ; further, the Registrar-General has kindly undertaken the issue of a copy to every man about to marry, on his applying to the local Registrar for a marriage license. When the issue to married women has been completed there will be no further excuse for parental ignorance as to the simple primary essentials bearing on the health and fitness of mother and child, because every newly married couple will bo forewarned and forearmed through the Registrars. In addition, a small supply of copies of the booklet held in reserve will be issued to nurses, hospitals, &c, as required. Lectures, Demonstrations, Addresses, etc. These have been held extensively, and arc in course of delivery as part of a Health Campaign for enlightening the community in general, and for promoting the standard of proficiency among nurses and all those specially entrusted with the guidance and care of the mother and family. This campaign will be completed before the end of the year, embracing — (a.) Public Lectures and Demonstrations bearing on fresh air, sunlight, bathing, swimming, and other forms of exercise, recreation (re-creation), rest, sleep, foods and feeding, regular habits, and other matters determining health and fitness. These lectures are illustrated by means of lanternslides and moving-pictures. (b.) Meetings for mothers and young wom,en concerning the needs of home and family. An important feature of these meetings is the encouragement of those who attend to ask intimate questions affecting all wives and mothers, more or less —questions which could not be dealt with in