H—3l.

Pahiatua. Population, 1,371. Infectious diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 2 ; diphtheria, 33 ; tuberculosis, 2. The outbreak of diphtheria here indicates the need for improved methods in disposal of drainage. Fortunately the sewers are nearing completion, and already some of the house-connections have been made. Much still remains to be done, and owing to the absence of fall in some streets many difficulties have to be encountered. The infectious-disease wards are not yet added to the Hospital, though the lack oi them was much felt at the time diphtheria was prevalent. The Hospital Board cannot be congratulated on its energy in pushing on this very necessary work. Eketahuna. Population, 703. Infectious diseases reported : Diphtheria, 7. Much trouble has been caused in this township by the absence of drainage and the difficulty experienced in getting the funds necessary for improvement while it remained part of the county. Eketahuna is now a Town Board with independent powers of rating, and the new authorities evidently intend to remove the unhealthy conditions as soon as possible. A short sewer is now being laid, which will carry away the waste waters which formerly accumulated in an old creek-bed. This sewer will, I trust, shortly be extended so as to serve all the hotels and enable them to have drainage of an up-to-date character. A water-supply will be required, but plans for this have already been prepared by Mr. Leslie Reynolds, showing "that it can be provided at a fairly reasonable outlay. By-laws for drainage, buildings, and sanitary control have been supplied by this Department.. and I trust will shortly be adopted. Horowhenua County. Population, 6,606. Infectious diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 1 ; enteric fever, 2 ; diphtheria, 1 ; tuberculosis, 3 ; blood-poisoning, 2. . The establishment of Levin among the list of boroughs will considerably alter the position ot attairs in the county although it is too soon to report any advance from the sanitary standpoint. The opening of the Boys' Industrial Farm at Werenga adds to the importance of securing better hygienic arrangements. The appearance of a case suspiciously like small-pox stirred the County Council up to some extent, and improvements were effected at Shannon and some other places. A departmental Inspector was appointed for six months, and some good work was done. The county has now appointed an Inspector from its own staff, and we must hope that his efforts will be encouraged by the Council. Palmerston North. Population, 10,243. Infectious diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 26 ; enteric fever, 32 ; diphtheria, 13; tuberculosis, 2. . , . The sanitary state of the borough has been advanced in several directions during the year, me work of connecting the houses with the drainage system is steadily progressing, while the majority of the sewers have now been laid. The septic tank is in partial use, and so far promises satisfactory results. , j. , , . The Hospital for Infectious Diseases has been completed, and a special annexe tor diphtheria cases is in course of erection. . A new abattoir-site has been found and approved after inspection by Mr. Gilruth and myself. Too many cases of diphtheria have still to be recorded, but it is to be hoped that as the new dramage replaces the old cesspits, this reproach will be removed. The sanitary condition of the railway-station is unsatisfactory, and as the sewer is now laid past the gates no delay should be made in effecting improvements. Feilding. Population 2,972. Infectious diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 6 ; diphtheria, 1 : tuberculosis, 1. This borough has been somewhat unfortunate, in that some of the sewerage-work put down at first proved faulty on inspection by our officers, and had to be renewed, thus causing delay. Under stricter inspection the work is now making satisfactory progress, and some of the houses are being connected up. The absence of by-laws controlling these house-connections at first caused some confusion, owing to builders and architects not having any guidance as to modern requirements. Models supplied by the Department were finally adopted by the Council, and the work is now under the supervision of the departmental officer. . When completed the drainage of Feilding will be on the best lines from the house to the outfall from the aerating beds. Marton. Population 1,268. Infectious diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 1. Improvements are" now in progress at the railway-station, by which the somewhat insanitary arrangements formerly existing will be greatly improved. The town has been in a healthy condition during the year. Taiha-pe. Population, 1,269. .. . ..-j.il. j ja. This is about to be constituted an independent borough. When this is done it is to be hoped that the new Council will take full advantage of its new powers to remove some of the present blots on its sanitary condition. Prominent among these is the extensive overcrowding and the presence of many shanties which were only intended as temporary abodes in the early days of settlement. Building by-laws are needed, and especially a section controlling the size of allotments.

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