H.—3l.

Patnell Borough (population 4,566). —The heavy typhoid list (twenty) suggests that this suburb is not in a satisfactory sanitary condition. It is one of the districts settled, in the early days, and has a large number of old dwellings, with the defects of former years. There are some congested areas also with a population of the poorer classes. This district is perhaps the chief sufferer from the sewage pollution of the harbour, the foreshore in Mechanics' and St. George's Bays being certainly affected. The drainage system is almost complete, so far as removal of slop and waste water is concerned, and is to some extent a separate one; but, as there are five or six distinct outfalls on the beach, there is much work in the future as regards a scheme for final disposal. Nightsoil: The old open-box system still continues. The Council have under consideration the adoption of the closed pan, but they appear to be very slow about making the alteration. Eefuse-removal is compulsory on the householder, but there is a lack of supervision, and a bi-weekly service with a metal receptacle is needed. Houses: Many old and ruinous buildings exist which might well be pulled down. The Council are in financial difficulties, as there have been heavy calls on their resources over the drainage scheme and the roadwork, and sanitary matters no doubt suffer in consequence. Newmarket Borough (population, 2,060). —That the death-rate from zymotic diseases is not above the average is to be wondered at so far as this borough is concerned. The drainage is very deficient, a large number of houses have no sewer-connections, and the slopwaters merely lie in the water-tables, the fall being imperfect. Plans have been obtained for a good sewage scheme, but poverty prevents active steps being taken. Nightsoil is removed, but in the old-fashioned way, and a fortnightly service is permitted. Refuse is removed, but there is need of more system and the institution of the closed metal collecting-pan. Houses are chiefly those of the poorer classes, but fairly-new ; therefore few are ruinous. Mount Eden Road District (population, 5,129). —The district being one of the largest of the suburbs, and having a well-to-do population, is yet somewhat backward, largely owing to the rapidity with which it has grown. There is a movement towards improvement now, which seems likely to lead to a better state of things. Drainage : There is no sewer system, as the residents trust to the loose porous nature of the soil to get rid of their slop-waters, generally digging cesspits for its reception. The volcanic-ash coating over the clay subsoil no doubt admits of its disappearance to the underground watercourses, and ultimately to the Western Springs, which in part form the natural drainage-outlet from this district. The significant appearance of so many typhoid cases about the lower slopes of the district, where the clay comes to the surface, suggests that this haphazard system is beginning to result in pollution of those parts. There are many natural difficulties in the way of a drainage system, owing to the rocky broken condition of the surface. The Board are now obtaining the services of an engineer to report and prepare plans for a comprehensive scheme. Nightsoil: During the last few months the closed-pan service has been introduced, part of the terms of agreement being that the contractor shall steam the pans, which is a distinct advance on the contracts in any other district. Eefuse-removal is little attended to; the district is sparsely populated in many parts, and there this is not a serious matter, but in one or two places improvement is required. Houses generally are of a good class, and there are no poor congested areas. Onehunga Borough (population, 3,000). —This is a very backward township. There is a great need of a drainage system, as at present no means of disposing of the slop-water exists, and there are many thickly populated parts. This is the more important as the borough water-supply is from a spring in the centre of the town, and, as the soil is of a loose porous volcanic nature, the slop-water from the houses and the storm-water washings from the roads filter down into the springs from one-half of the settlement. It is a matter for constant surprise to me that this water remains fairly pure. It, however, shows now a greater degree of contamination than it did when I made an examination three years ago, and probably this will progress till the spring is unfit for use. Steps are about to be taken to better protect the spring from pollution from its immediate surroundings; hitherto it has been open to every chance of contamination from the many cottages in the vicinity. Nightsoil-removal: The old wooden box is in use, and a fortnightly removal is permitted. Onehunga suffered heavily from dysentery, or, at least, severe diarrhoea of a dysenteric type. The position of the water-supply suggested its contamination as the source of infection, but I would not say that bacteriological examination furnished any proof of this. Eden Terrace and Arch Hill are two small Eoad Boards abutting on the city. They furnish excellent examples of the evils of such small bodies acting as sanitary authorities. The Boards are quite willing to follow out the schemes indicated by the Department, but their rating-powers are exhausted, and they find themselves unable to carry out most necessary sanitary works. They have each recently constructed a number of small street sewers, and passed by-laws to control the putting-in of house connections, but this has exhausted their funds completely. The nightsoil system in these districts is old-fashioned, but by the new by-laws a metal box must be used. Devonport Borough. —This suburb on the north side of the harbour has a population of 3,800. It is well advanced in sanitary matters, has a good water-supply, and the drainage system is satisfactory, with well-constructed house connections. Few of the houses are without closets, and the nightsoil service is now almost abolished. Refuse-removal might, however, be improved on: a metal bin, with regular and compulsory removal, is required. This borough is fortunate in having a thorough system of sanitary inspection. ■

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