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I cannot better describe the healthiness of Hokitika than by mentioning that since the establishment of the Board of Health not a single case of contagious or infectious disease has been reported as existing within the borough. I have, &c, FITZIIERBEET DERAIOTT, The Hon. J. A. Bonar, Chairman, Provincial Surgeon and Local Health Officer. Central Board of Health, Hokitika.

Sir ,— Local Board of Health, Eoss, 11th May, 1876. In reply to your honored of the Bth inst., requesting tho Local Board of Health to report on the health of this district for the year ending April 30th, 1876, to-day I waited ou Dr. Duff, asking him if any contagious diseases had come before his notice during the above period. In reply, the Doctor states that the inhabitants of the Totara District are in a healthy condition. I further beg to state, on behalf of the Local Board of Health, that the residences and outhouses in this district are clean and satisfactory. Further, it is the intention of the above Board to carry out the provisions of " The Health Act, 1572," in its entirety. I have, &c, J. A. Bonar, Esq., Chairman, John* B. Lopas, Central Board of Health, Hokitika. Health Officer.

Sic— Eoad Board Office, Okarito, 24th May, 1876. In answer to your Honor's circular re the health of the district, I am instructed by the Chairman of tho Okarito Local Board of Health to inform your Honor that tho Okarito District is in a very healthy state, and free from any disease. I beg also to inform your Honor that proper attention will be paid to your circular dated April 29th, aud numbered 4G. I have, &c., James S. Benton, His Honor the Superintendent of Westland. Secretary.

Office of tho Local Board of Health, Sic,— Town Hall, Hokitika, 19th May, 187 G. In compliance with your request, I have the honor to furnish the following report on the health of this district for the year ending 30th April, 1876 : — Tho town of Hokitika has been in a very healthy condition during tho period referred to, which may be attributed in great measure to the frequent heavy falls of rain, assisted by the hilly formation of the town, causing a periodical scouring of the main channels and drains. Considerable improvements would be effected both in the formation of new culverts and deepening and closing in of existing drains ; but tho funds at the disposal of the Borough Council (the Local Board of Health) are quite inadequate to carry out any permanent works of this nature, although in many localities they are urgently needed, to preserve the sanitary condition of the town. Notably, it has long been the wish of the Local Board to construct a large main culvert through Tancred Street, for the drainage of the thickly-populated east side of Bevell Street; and, as before reported, the requisite plans and specifications have been prepared, extending a distance of about fifty chains, viz. from Park Street to the Hokitika Eiver; and it is intended to carry out the work as soon as practicable. , Probably during the next Session of Parliament a substantial sum will be placed on tho Estimates to be at the disposal of the Government in pursuance of clause 11 of " The Public Health Act, 1872," for temporary loans to the less wealthy Local Boards, to enable them to attend to pressing works, the neglect of which might endanger the lives, not merely ofthe immediate residents, but, through infection, those of the entire colony. The Health Officer of the Board (Sergeant .Tames O'Malley) has been most active in requiring the various provisions of the Act to bo complied with, and in nearly every case have his instructions as. to removal of nuisances, filling up of hollows, &c., been attended to. The exceptions have been where the owners are absentees; and no provision being made in the Act for charging the cost of such on to the property, the same has fallen in some eases on to the Borough Council. An amendment in tho Act in this respect appears desirable. It has not been found practicable to stringently carry out clause 20 with reference to earth and water closets. The greater portion of the drains in the town being uncovered militates against the use of the latter ; and the Act gives no power to Local Boards to levy rates for the expenses attendant upon employing nightmen and supplying the earth. In a town of such recent date as Hokitika, it cannot bo surprising that there is not a complete and thorough system of drainage, the lack of funds, as before stated, is the cause; and the approaching meeting of Parliament is anxiously looked forward to, in the hope that corporate bodies may be liberally endowed, so that they may not from want of funds become (as it is to be feared have some of the larger cities) hotbeds for the creation and spread of disease. The interments in the Hokitika Cemetery during the twelve months have been —Adults, 41; children, 74 ; total, 115. Many of the former had been residents beyond the town ; and of the latter, many were stillborn, and nearly all the rest only a few months old. The proportion to the population, will compare favourably with other parts of the colony. I have, &c., Francis C. Tabart, Mayor, His Honor the Superintendent of Westland. Chairman of the Board of Health.