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No. 3. The Chaieman of the Centeal Boaed of Health, Auckland, to the Hon. the- Colonial Seceetaet. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 26th June, 1874. In compliance with your Circular No. 5, of the 10th January, 1873, and in conformity to section 15 of " The Public Health Act, 1872," I have the honor to transmit herewith a general report upon the state of the public health of the inhabitants of this province. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, J. Williamson, Wellington. Chairman of the Central Board of Health.

Enclosure in No. 3. Repobt by the Centbal Boaed of Health for the Peoyince of Auckland. The general health of the inhabitants throughout the province during the past year has been exceedingly good. With the exception of a few cases of typhoid fever, eight of which terminated fatally, there has been no epidemic disease of any kind. This satisfactory result cannot however be attributed to auy precautionary action on the part of the local authorities intrusted with the duty of carrying out the provisions of the Public Health Act; for, beyond the limited measures adopted by the Municipal Council in the precincts of the city, no effort appears to have been made in the direction of removing or remedying the many sources of nuisance which exist, and from which, if unchecked, the germs of sickness and disease must, sooner or later, be disseminated over the whole population. The attention of the Central Board has been called to several such nuisances, chief among which may be mentioned the depot for the receipt of the night soil and other dobris from the city, situated at Arch Hill, on the outskirts of the western suburb of Auckland, and used for the purpose under the authority of the City Council. It was found on inspection that no steps whatever were being taken towards deodorizing the matter either before or after its deposit upon the land, and the stench arising from the pits was almost intolerable to the inhabitants residing in the neighbourhood. By direction of the Medical Officer (Dr. Philson) this nuisance has in a great measure been abated, but the only complete remedy will be its removal to a greater distance from town. It has been suggested that the proximity of the present site to the watershed of the Western Springs will exercise a prejudicial effect upon those waters, whence the city water supply is proposed to be taken. Other nuisances exist in the form of defective drainage, open cesspools, ponds of stagnant water, and premises where noxious trades are carried on to the injury of the public health ; and to these the Board has given attention with a view to the prevention of disease. It has been found by experience that, while there is every desire on the part of the Local Boards of Health to enforce the provisions of the Act within their respective districts, they are unable through lack of funds systematically and effectually to do so. With the limit imposed on their rating powers by the Highway Boards Empowering Act, they have barely sufficient means to provide for the maintenance and repair of roads. Under the circumstances, and in the absence of any grant from the Colonial Treasury, the Provincial Council has voted a sum of £600 for the purpose, and it is proposed to assist the Local Boards by appointing competent persons as inspectors under the Act, whose duty it will be to visit each district periodically, to insist upon a strict compliance with the provisions of the Act on the part of the inhabitants, and to ascertain and report from time to time whether any disease of a dangerous nature exists in any locality under their inspection. An endeavour is being made towards the introduction of earth-closets into the city and suburbs, but it is uncertain whether, in the face of section 20 of the Act, the Board would be empowered to introduce the system gradually, before the date specified in that section (Ist June, 1875). A question has also arisen as to whether the Proclamation under section 19 requires the Governor's renewal at the expiration of every period of six months, or whether one notification of renewal is sufficient. Only one case of quarantine has occurred within the province. The immigrant ship " Dorette," on arrival from London in April last, was reported as having scarlatina on board, aud the passengers were accordingly ordered to perform quarantine. None of the cases (eight in number) proved fatal; and after a lapse of ten days, the usual precautions having been taken, the passengers were landed and the vessel admitted to pratique. This instance has produced one good effect by illustrating what further provision was needed to render the quarantine station better fitted to receive patients, and it is satisfactory to know that the necessary improvements are about to be carried out under the authority of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. To meet any future contingency of the kind it is highly desirable that regulations should be made without delay under that part of the Act relating to quarantine. Upon the subject of vaccination, which, although embodied in the Act, does not lie within the functions of the Board, it may be suggested that provision should be made for the appointment in remote country districts, where no qualified medical practitioner resides, of other competent persons to act as public vaccinators, and for their remuneration on a more liberal scale than the limit of 2s. 6d. per arm, which is wholly inadequate for a large and scattered district sparsely populated. J. M. Philsox, M.D., Medical Officer, Vincent E. Eice, Auckland, 20th June, 1874. Secretary.

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