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GENERAL Staffing of Districts.—The work of the Department in the important sphere of environmental hygiene continues to be very seriously hampered by the grave shortage of Medical Officers of Health. Not only are the larger health districts understaffed, but three of the smaller districts have been without a resident medical officer for very long periods. If members of the existing staff of Medical Officers of Health must each give oversight to two districts, all districts suffer and nothing but the barest routine work is possible. Just as in all preventive undertakings results are not immediately apparent, so the harmful effects of understaffing may for a time escape notice. Deterioration is, however, inevitable. Not only is the maintenance of relatively high standard of healthy living jeopardized, but advances to a still higher standard become impossible. A determined policy of recruitment that will remedy this serious deficiency is a matter of urgency. Names of Health Districts. —In a Gazette notice dated 15th February, 1950, the names of the health districts were altered. The boundaries of the districts are the same as before, but each is now named after the principal town or city in place of the cumbersome titles formerly used. Control of Medical Advertisements.—An amendment to the Medical Advertisement Regulations has been enacted to require that where any drug, cosmetic preparation, or dentifrice is manufactured or packed in New Zealand this fact must be clearly stated in every advertisement or label. In the past certain cosmetic preparations that were manufactured in New Zealand were advertised in such a way as to make it appear that they were specially imported from London, Paris, or New York. This action was taken at the request of the trade. Training of Inspectors.—The full-time course at the Wellington Technical College for the training of Health Inspectors was concluded at the end of the year, and is being repeated this year with a fresh class. Six candidates are officers of this Department, and the Department of Labour and Employment has again entered six Inspectors of Factories for training. Much of the instruction is given by the staff of the technical college, and officers of the Wellington City Engineer's staff are again giving great assistance. Unfortunately, the local authorities, many of whom are badly in need of welltrained Inspectors, have displayed great reluctance to sponsor candidates for training. This is a short-sighted policy, as a gradual raising of the examination standard is taking place, and candidates who do not receive proper training may find the qualifying examination beyond them. In many health districts Medical Officers of Health are organizing quarterly meetings of departmental and local-authority Inspectors for discussions on some aspects of their work. These meetings are proving very valuable, particularly for the Inspectors of small local authorities, who work in comparative isolation. Cattle Saleyards.—A recent amendment to regulations under the Health Act alters the requirements for cattle saleyards. Rather more discretion is now allowed to the Medical Officer of Health to waive the requirements as to paving in the case of saleyards that are used only infrequently. In such cases the needs of good sanitation are satisfied if the saleyards are properly cleaned up immediately after use. Staff. —In conclusion, I wish to record my appreciation of the work of the Principal Inspector of Health, the Divisional Clerk, and the other clerical officers in the Division. Their efficient and willing co-operation can always be relied on. F. S. Maclean, Director, Division of Public Hygiene.

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