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Waipawa. The present Town Board seem alive to the necessities of sanitation. Several connections with the sewer have been made during the past year and schemes are being discussed for a public water-supply, which seem likely to eventuate in this desirable end. With further sewer-connections, and the general introduction of water-closets which must result when water becomes an accomplished fact, the outfall on the river-bank will have to be attended to. It will be desirable, I should say imperative, to pass the sewage through a septic tank before permitting it to enter the river. I regret to say that in Waipawa there are several dwellings erected on insufficient curtilage. This blot cannot be remedied for some years to come —till the houses decay and are demolished. But care must be taken that the error is not perpetuated in the future. Waipukurau. This pretty township is moving ahead. Some new buildings have been erected during the past year. The Eoad Board has given place to a Town Board, the members of which seem to be alive to their responsibilities, and to be desirous to improve the sanitary condition of this much-favoured village. Many nuisances have been abated, and it seems that it will only be a matter of a little time when money will be raised to improve the defective condition of the sewers. Ormondville, MaJcotuhu, and Norsewood. These are scattered and open townships, standing at an elevation of about a thousand feet above sea-level. There is no over-crowding, and very little sickness, and not much that claims attention. The hotel at Ormondville, which was a straggling ramshackle structure, has been almost entirely rebuilt, and provided with up-to-date appliances. It is one of the most comfortable and well-conducted up-country hotels in the district. Dannevirhe. The drainage has been commenced during the past year, and is approaching completion. There has been delay in obtaining the land from the Natives that has been selected to receive the effluent from the septic tank, and the difficulty has not yet been overcome. The Borough Council accepted the engineer who designed the works as contractor to carry them out, and failed to appoint a clerk of works to supervise the works and safeguard their interests. A recommendation from me to that effect was not favourably received. Without reflecting on the integrity or ability of the engineer-contractor, it must be admitted that such apathy of a public body on such an important matter is not in the best interests of the ratepayers whom they represent. Dannevirke possesses an ample supply of excellent water, the soil around is porous, and the town stands at a high elevation, about 700 ft. above sea-level; it is well wind-swept, has a fair share of sunshine, and when drainage is an accomplished fact, the health of this favourably situated town should attain even a higher standard than it at present enjoys. The new Hospital is fast approaching completion, and early in the present year should be in full swing. As there is much bush-felling and milling going on around Dannevirke, accidents are deplorably frequent, and the new Hospital should prove an acquisition to sufferers, who will be able to be attended to on the spot, instead of having to be transported to Waipukurau or Pahiatua as is the case at present. Tenders have now been called for the erection of up-to-date abattoirs. There has been much unnecessary delay in this important work, which does not reflect credit on those concerned. The experience of Napier, Hastings, and Gisborne is in evidence of the benefits that accrue from properly conducted institutions of this kind. Woodville. This little borough stands much where it did, both in matters of sanitation and population. It has an abundant supply of water of excellent quality, which was installed some years back, and has drainage of a kind that would be a source of danger to a more crowded community. The plans for an up-to-date drainage scheme that were submitted to the Borough Council by Mr. Metcalf, C.E., about two years ago, have not yet been given effect to. The ratepayers were scared at the expense, and refused to vote for the loan. The Mayor, Mr. Burnett, informs me that he hopes to be able to reduce the rates shortly, when he believes that the ratepayers will consent to extra taxation for drainage purposes. As occasional cases of diphtheria and typhoid have cropped up in Woodville, which were strangers to the town previously, it is to be hoped that the ratepayers will see their way to pay the interest on a loan sufficient to carry out the works designed by Mr. Metcalf. It must be remembered to the credit of the people of Woodville, that on their own initiative, and without any pressure from outside they have saddled themselves with the cost of £10,000 for a watersupply. Gisborne. I am glad to say that the scheme for the introduction of water into this borough, designed by Mr. Hay, is now en train, and I hope that when the time again comes round for me to write the annual report, it will be tin fait accompli. Gisborne still continues to suffer the unenviable notoriety of having more typhoid and diphtheria than any town in my district, and, with the backward state of its sanitary appliances, the people may be congratulated that the amount of preventable disease is not greater. Its broad streets, its large amount of sunshine, are great factors in counteracting the sanitary evils. When water is installed, drainage will, I hope, follow quickly, and the scheme designed byjMr. Mestayer having been so favourably reported on by other engineers will probably be the one decided on.