H.—3l.

Gisborne is now seriously considering the building of an isolation ward for the treatment of infectious diseases." 7 The non-existence of such a building, or any place where such cases could be effectually housed and treated, and the inconvenience entailed on the sick, combined with the danger to the community generally, are the reverse of creditable to those responsible for the neglect. A suitable site for a new cemetery has been chosen on the Waikanae, but has not yet been made use of. The abattoirs are in full swing. The building and conveniences are up to date in every particular, and the work is conducted in a cleanly and reputable manner. A tendency to crowd houses on an insufficient area is beginning to make itself felt in Gisborne, and a watchful eye will be necessary to insure that the provisions of clause 354 of the Municipal Corporations Act are properly observed. Tolago. The small township of Tolago is increasing in size and importance owing to the closer settlement that is taking place in and around the town, and in the near future will claim attention. Tokomaru, Waipiro, Tufaroa, and Wainui. The smaller townships of Tokomaru, Waipiro,. Tuparoa, and Wainui, still further north, require little attention. They are scattered townships, all placed on hills sloping towards the sea, the soil is light and porous, and at present there is nothing to make them unhealthy. Te Puia. The hot springs situated at Te Puia, about four miles from Waipiro, are growing slowly in popularity, but they are not as much known or made use of as their excellent medicinal properties would warrant. Clyde, Wairoa. Both the Town Board and County Council seem to be more alive to their duties as to sanitary reform than has previously been the case. Some reforms, both in the township and county, have been effected during'the past year, but there is still room for more improvement, as is evidenced by the high death-rate, sixteen, with a population of less than seven hundred in the township and probably three or four hundred more in the county, and the number of cases of typhoid fever notified, five, rather less than half the number notified in Napier, with more than fourteen times the population. When we consider the natural advantages of the town and district, these facts have a sinister signification. The new Hospital is now in full swing, and is a credit to the district. Some difficulties arose in connection with the drainage of the institution. I gave full directions how the matter was to be carried out, and requested to be advised when the drains were being laid and the plumbing-work done, that the Department might supervise the work and test the drains. This I was careful to inform the Committee would be undertaken free of charge. For some reason with which I have not been made acquainted, the whole work was completed without my receiving any communication. Some time after the Hospital was opened I was informed that the drains were causing a nuisance, and that sewer-gas was making its presence felt in the Hospital. Inspection proved that all necessary steps to insure the proper ventilation of the drains and prevent the entry of sewer-gas were ignored, and when the drains were tested they were found to be leaky. 'The plans supplied had been departed from in several important particulars. The excuse given was that they had never done work of the kind before and, therefore, could not be expected to understand it. When asked why the plans had not been adhered to, or the advice of the Department sought, no satisfactory answer was forthcoming. Mohaka. The new hotel is now completed, and its appointments are comfortable. It is doubtful if a better appointed hotel exists in any up-country place, certainly there is none so good in this district. The present licensee does his best to give full effect to the advantages of the house, which is cleanly kept and everything done to make the guests comfortable. The hotel is supplied with a high-pressure watersystem, which is brought down from a hill on which a spring of pure water is found. Water-closets have taken the place of pit-closets, and the drainage has been carried out under the supervision and to the satisfaction of the Department. Nothing has been done to remedy the defects of the present schoolhouse, which is a ramshackle structure, deficient both in light and ventilation. There are some difficulties with the Natives in the way of reform, but I should not think that they are insuperable, and it is much to be regretted that steps are not successfully taken to clear away the difficulties that exist. Two houses that have been condemned have been repaired in such a manner as to render them habitable. Owing to the large increase in the population since the last census was taken, any attempt to give vital statistics would be useless, as the calculations would be based on erroneous figures, and the conclusions would be necessarily fallacious. I have, &c, Peed, de Lisle, L.R.C.P., D.P.H., J. Malcolm Mason, M.D., D.P.H., Chief Health Officer, Wellington. District Health Officer.

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