H—3l

4

Maori Hygiene. A feature in Dr. Ellison's report is the presentation of vital statistics in reference to the Maori race. It is interesting to note the fall in the death-rate of our Maori population. The birth-rate of 33-58 per 1,000 is in striking contrast to the rate of 19-02 for the European population. The evil of birth-control does not appear to have spread to the Native population. Board of Health. Quarterly meetings of the Board of Health were held during the year. Requisitions were served upon a number of local authorities requiring them in terms of section 22 of the Health Act to undertake the provision of certain sanitary works. Among other matters dealt with by the Board was the need for better facilities for the teaching of midwifery at the Medical School in Dunedin. During the year Dr. W. Young was reappointed, his term of office having expired. Mr. J. S. Connett was appointed on the nomination of the New Zealand Counties Association in succession to the late Sir James Wilson, while Mr. W. J. Rogers, Mayor of Wanganui, took the place vacated by Mr. C. J. D. Norwood. The Board of Health continues to perform useful service, and the Government is indebted to the members of the Board for the services rendered by them Medical Practitioners Act, 1914. Four meetings of the Medical Council were held during the year under review. The following table covering the past five years summarizes the Board's work so far as the granting of applications by medical men for registrations, &c., are concerned.

Plumbers Registration Act, 1912. Two meetings under the Plumbers Board constituted under this Act were held during the year. Examinations under the Act were held in May and November, a total of 526 candidates presenting themselves for examination ; the result being that 149 passed in the theoretical portion and 129 in the practical test; 135 qualifying or completing in both portions of the examination were duly granted registration. The Gazette notice for 1929 contains the names of 1,389 plumbers. Masseurs Registration Board. Four meetings of the Masseurs Registration Board were held during the year. The present number on the masseurs roll is 481. The usual examinations were conducted. The Board is at present considering the whole question of the training and examination of the massage students, with the intention of increasing the scope of the examination. Opticians Registration Act. This Act, providing for the training and registration of opticians, came into force on the Ist January, 1929. The first step to be taken was the appointment of a Registration Board as provided for in the Act. The Government was fortunate in securing as members of the Board the services of Dr. G. W. Harty and Messrs. H. S. Gilberd and T. G. Young. The inauguration of the registration system was widely advertised throughout the Dominion, and this resulted in a large number of applications for registration being received. The Board met frequently during the year, and up to the 31st March, 1930, 223 opticians had been granted registration. Three appeals against decisions of the Board are waiting to be heard and will be dealt with as soon as regulations have been issued providing for the setting-up of Appeal Boards. Staff. I regret to report the death of Mr. Hurley, for some twenty years Bacteriologist to the Department. The best wishes of the Department are extended to Dr. Crawshaw, Medical Officer of Health, Dunedin, on his retirement after many years of loyal service. Finally, to the Deputy Director-General, Dr. Watt, and to officers I wish to express my thanks for their very efficient and loyal service. T. H. A. Valintine, Director-General of Health.

1925. 1926. 1927. 1928. 1929. Number on register on 1st January .. .. 1,204 1,211 1,283 1,320 1,357 Number added during year .. .. .. 78* 94f 54J 45§ 43|| Number removed during year .. . . 71 22 17 8 18 Number on register at end of year .. .. 1,211 1,283 1,320 1,357 1,382 * Includes 59 with New Zealand qualifications. f Includes 69 with New Zealand qualifications. J Includes 38 with New Zealand qualifications. § Includes 30 with New Zealand qualifications. j| Includes 29 with New Zealand qualifications.