H.—3l

44

Latrine accommodation for both sexes is established, and a special feature is the removal and destruction of the refuse. In most cases this is done as a matter of routine by the Village Committees themselves. We do, as in the past, instruct our nurse and Inspector to keep a watchful eye on these, gatherings in case of emergency. At an unveiling at Rotorua during last month, when some two thousand Natives gathered, the whole of the sanitary arrangements were under the control of the Arawa Maori Health Council, and no fault could be found with the manner in which this hugo concourse of Natives was managed. These improved conditions have been materially assisted by the inauguration of our Health Councils, and for this reason alone their existence is justified. Maori Health Nurses. Our nurses continue to render yeoman service amongst the Natives, and in many instances to the white population also. Their services are highly appreciated by the Maori, and constant applications have been received to establish nurses in now districts. It is on very rare occasions any opposition is encountered, and generally speaking all are ready to comply with her instructions. In view of the importance of the work our nurses are doing, under many difficulties, I have no hesitation in stating that no other service would be more sadly missed than that of our nursing service amongst the Natives. Native Health Inspectors. We have two Native Health Inspectors, one operating in the northern portion of the Island! and the other in the East Coast district. They both belong to the Native race —the advantage being their intimate knowledge of the Maori language and customs. They are both doing excellent work amongst the Natives, especially regarding sanitary matters. The success of their work is found in the co-ordination of their duties with our various Health Councils. The services of both these officers are also greatly utilized by local bodies and Medical Officers of Health. SECTION 2.—MEDICAL ATTENDANCE AND SUPPLIES. Subsidized Medical Officers. No complaints have reached me from the Maoris regarding the reductions made in the number of these appointments, and I consider the existing scheme to be working satisfactorily. Medical Supplies. These are still being supplied in moderation to Native-school teachers for distribution to Natives in isolated districts where a medical man is not accessible. The teachers are ever ready to do their utmost in attending to health matters amongst those people, and their services are highly appreciated. Propaganda. This is a very important branch of the work incidental to my division. Circulars on illness, precautionary measures, &c, and advice generally are continuously being submitted through our Councils, and letters received show how greatly these efforts are appreciated and acted upon. We reach also a large number of people through the pages of the Maori newspaper Te Toa Takitini, to which articles are frequently supplied on epidemic diseases and health matters generally. SECTION 3.—DEMO GRAPHICAL. Population. The Maori population according to the census of 1921 was returned as 52,751. In spite of a mortality of well over 1,000 due to the influenza epidemic of 1918, this shows a material increase over the previous census (in 1916) of 2,975. This shows an increase over the first proper census (inJ9O6) of 5,020. Population under Fifteen Years. ' A gratifying feature is the percentage increase of the Maori population under fifteen years of age. In 1891 the percentage of under fifteen years to the total population was 34/1. This percentage has steadily increased to 40 per cent, in 1921. Proportion of Sexes. A factor viewed with apprehension has been the great preponderance of males over females. Authorities consider that when this disproportion becomes excessive it spells race-extinction. In 1891 tho number of females per 1,000 males was 832. The number of females since then has steadily increased to 890 in 1921. In the previous census of 1916 it reached 919, but as there were such a large number of males absent on war service it was not a true racial proportion. From statistics gathered by this office from Native-school teachers, the proportion of females is still further increased. For 4,500 Native-school children the proportion of females to 1,000 males was 926. As this forms some indication of the race of the near future, the risk of extinction by an excessive preponderance of males seems to be disappearing.