H.—3l.

There are many ruinous buildings, and the plumbing-work is of a very primitive type. Botorua. —While in most directions this town is well forward, the drainage scheme remains incomplete, and so long as this is the case there will be the danger arising from accumulation and soakage of slop-waters. The water-supply might be improved also, as the present water is somewhat peaty, being from swamp lands. I inspected and reported early in the year on a very satisfactory source from which the supply might be obtained. Three of the hotels have during the last few months had improved drainage arrangements added, two being provided with septic tanks. The nightsoil depot has been shifted from the centre of the town to the outskirts. An isolation ward for infectious disease has been obtained. Refuse-removal is done systematically by the Health Boa.rd's own employees, and so, too, with the nightsoil-removal, much the most satisfactory way of working, both from a financial point and as regards the efficiency of the work. In this other small towns would do well to copy the Eotorua Board. Tauranga Borough (population, 945). —There has been a good deal of neglect as regards the sanitary arrangements in the past. Being a small town with plenty of space between the houses, the soil porous, the absence of sewers and of refuse-removal is not so serious a matter, except as regards houses in the vicinity of public wells, of which there are two. Water-supply is chiefly by rainwater-tanks. The nightsoil service was much neglected, but I am assured my representations on the subject have now been attended to. The Council are also making a crusade against rats. Waihi Borough (population, 500). —This borough has only recently been created, and it is too early to say whether in sanitary matters this step will lead to improvement. There is urgent need of a good water-supply, a drainage scheme, and an improved nightsoil service with properly constructed receptacles. Typhoid is too common already, and the town is growing rapidly. Te Aroha Borough (population, 900). —This town might be, from its natural advantages, a very perfect little health resort. Beyond a good water-supply, however, very little has been done. There is no nightsoil service or refuse-removal, and drainage is very imperfect in most parts. Two sewers connect the hotels and sanatorium with the river, which is already beginning to show evidence of pollution. The offer of a subsidy by the Government for the purpose of erecting a septic tank to remedy this was met with a reply that the Council could not afford it, but were " contemplating a nightsoil service." I fear they have become so lost in the contemplation of this hypothetical scheme that they fail to grasp the fact that to be a health resort they must strive to do a little more than a backwoods township as regards sanitary matters. Cambridge Borough (population, 989). —With a dry bracing climate, a porous soil, and many natural beauties, Cambridge has acquired, with some justification, a reputation as a resort for invalids, especially those with tubercular mischief. A sanatorium is urgently needed, however, as the presence of these unforunates without careful supervision is likely to lead to a spread of the disease. The Council are beginning to wake up to the necessity for living up to their reputation ■in the direction of improving the sanitary arrangements. A good water-supply is now being installed. It is perhaps too early to demand a drainage scheme, but a nightsoil service is urgent, and I trust the Council will respond to my representation on this subject, as the recent outbreak of diphtheria indicates the need of such an improvement. Hamilton Borough (population, 1,253). —The growth of this town demands a corresponding advance in sanitary schemes. The Council have in hand a water-supply from the Waikato Eiver, which is to be followed by a drainage system for the thickly populated part of the town, where there is urgent need of it. The question of nightsoil should then be taken in hand, and some means found of disposing of house refuse other than the present system of tipping it over the riverbank, thereby polluting the water and spoiling the beauty of the river-front. Whangarei Borough (population, 1,429). —A good water-supply has been obtained during the past year, and I understand an improved drainage scheme will follow. The nightsoil service would also stand some reorganization. The Counties. —Whether it be that their size prevents to some extent the growth of a petty parochial spirit, or that funds are more plentiful, it is certain that these bodies fall in more readily with schemes for sanitary improvement For this reason I should welcome the control by County Councils of Manukau and Eden Counties. The chief fault with these Councils lies in the delay In getting work done owing to their meetings being but once a month. Eden County has already been dealt with. Manukau (population, 12,306). —It is absurd to expect the twenty-eight little Eoad Boards comprising the county to deal adequately with sanitary matters, and I have had a good deal of difficulty in regard to getting their consent to the infectious-disease hospital scheme, or in persuading them that they have any duties in the matter of public health. Waitemata County (population, 7,000). —This is a difficult district to deal with, being large and ill-supplied with roads, while the distribution of population varies from the thickly populated Northcote district to the desert waste of gumfields. These latter also are a drawback, in that the gum-digging population is generally drawn from the lowest class, and therefore the most insanitary. The Council have taken in hand the question of Sanitary Inspectors ; and, as there was no neighbouring county with which it could well be combined for the purpose of supporting a trained man, they have appointed intelligent men, residents in the various centres, who will act in that capacity, and deal with disinfection, and so forth, when called upon. It has been arranged that each should come to town for instruction by the Health Department in his duties. I believe this scheme will answer the present requirements sufficiently. Hobson County (population, 4,800). —Except in the matter of the drainage of Aratapu, there

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