A.—3

18

The natural increase for the period was 197. Migration : Ninety-seven persons, including twentythree Europeans, arrived, and 118 persons, including twenty-two Europeans, departed. The total population of the island at 31st December, 1929, was : Europeans and Natives—Males, 1,801; females, .1,984; total, 3,785. The births for the year show an increase of two, and deaths a decrease of twenty-five, over those shown for 1928. Medical and Public Health. The general health condition of the island has been good during the year, the only sickness of an epidemic nature being an outbreak of influenza during July and August. The epidemic was of a fairly severe nature, with thirty cases of pneumonic influenza and several with encephalitic symptoms. There were several deaths amongst the old and young. The unusually cold winter season we experienced was a contributing factor to a considerable extent. In February, 1929, the one remaining leper patient was transferred to the Leper Station at Makogai. Certain recommendations have been made for additional plant, and reforms in other directions, which show a commendable interest by the Medical Officer in the medical progress of the island. Where possible the necessary assistance will be given, but the financial position of the local Treasury as well as the heavy deficit anticipated in New Zealand for the year, will no doubt require expenditure to be limited to the urgent needs of the Department. Practically one-third of our total revenue last year was expended on the medical service of the island :— The following extracts are printed from, the report of the Medical Officer, Niue :— " Hospital. " The Hospital Staff has got through a very successful year. The number of admissions for the year was 177. The Natives show an increasing confidence in the Hospital and in medical service generally. The old prejudices are gradually breaking down. In the first quarter of the year a considerable number of cases of pneumonia were treated with good results. During the last quarter there was an outbreak of influenza with thirty cases of pneumonic influenza and. several with encephalitic symptoms. There were several deaths. Where proper liursing coidd be given to the seriously-ill cases recovery was the almost infallible rule. " A very encouraging feature of the" Hospital work has been the care of infants. The results have been gratifying, and have undoubtedly impressed the Natives. There is every indication that if frequent instruction and supervision could be given Niuean mothers in their villages a decided improvement in the death-rate of infants would result. " The number of confinements conducted by the Medical Officer and his staff in the Hospital and in the villages continues to increase. It is expedient that all the confinements on the island should be conducted by the Medical Department. The average number for a year is between ninety and 120. At present only one-third is confined by us. In the interests of birth-rate and the health of the mothers and babies it is imperative that, before long, all the midwifery should be in our hands. " During the last quarter the Medical Officer has instituted a course of lectures for the nurses. It is intended to grant certificates of competency to those that reach a certain standard, and when these nurses go back to their villages to employ them there in doing occasional nursing for the Medical Department. " During the year a small amount of urgently needed equipment has been purchased. The Hospital is still lacking in several important essentials to bring it up to modern standards so that it can fully cater for the medical needs of the island. " The following are the statistics of the Hospital:— " Admissions to Hospital .. . . .. . . . . .. 177 " Average number of days in Hospital . . . . .. .. 21 " Number of out-patients at dispensary .. .. .. .. 3,225 " Number of dressings at out-patients' dispensary .. .. .. 14,797 " Number of patients treated in their villages .. .. . . . . 2,228 " Number of special visits to villages .. .. .. .. . . 960 " Number of injections— " (a) Novarsenobillon .. .. .. . . . . . . 76 " (b) Bicreol .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 352 " (c) Vaccines .. .. .. . . .. .. 276 " (d) Blood .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 134 " (e) Calot's fluid .. . . .. . . .. .. 41 " Number of laboratory examinations — " (a) Faeces .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 " (b) Urine . . .. . . .. . . . . .. 12 " (c) Blood .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 " (d) Smears .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 33 " Number of operations— " (a) Major .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 6 " (b) Minor .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 81 " (c) Dental extractions .. .. .. ~ ~ 85