H.—3l.

Wanganui. Population, 8,216. Infectious diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 18 ; enteric fever, 30 ; diphtheria, 9 ; tuberculosis, 2. The unfortunate outbreak of typhoid in this town has been already discussed. The cause was purely local, and there is no reason to believe that the water-supply was in any way affected—indeed the analyses both bacteriological and chemical of this supply showed satisfactory results. It must, however, be noted that there is need for filtration or sedimentation of this water, since in heavy rain a large amount of ciay is sometimes washed down, making the water unsightly though not necessarily injurious to health. The system of drainage into the river cannot so far be said to have produced any obnoxious results, but it must be borne in mind that with the growth of the town some method of treatment will be required before the effluent can be permitted to discharge into this tidal water. The lack of an adequate system of refuse-removal has repeatedly been reported on, but so far without result. A good deal of correspondence took place during the year on the subject of the necessary legal proceedings to secure the removal of ruinous houses condemned by the Department. It had been proposed that the Department should act for the borough in such cases, but this was found to be impossible when referred to the Crown Solicitor. Finally the Council undertook the work, as is done elsewhere, and a large number of unsatisfactory houses were pulled down, while others, where removal would cause hardship, are now awaiting the adjustment of financial arrangements of the owners before being demolished. The removal of the Maori hostelry must be recorded with satisfaction. Certain amendments in the drainage by-laws have been recommended by the Department, and it is hoped will shortly be adopted by the Council. These will chiefly be in the direction of securing a better class of plumbing. The suburbs of Durie Town and Aramoho remain in the same unsatisfactory state as reported last year. Eltham. Population, 1,329. Infectious diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 14 ; enteric fever, 3; diphtheria, 1. The house-connections to the sewer are now practically completed, and both septic tanks are giving satisfactory results. An extension of the system is now contemplated. Stratford. Population, 2,127. Infectious diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 9. The rrmin part of the sewerage may now be said to be completed, and there is some prospect of an extension to outlying parts of the borough. The septic tank continues to give most perfect results. The drainage of the block of buildings on land leased from the Railway Department has been a source of trouble, as the length of the leases is too uncertain for the owners to undertake the cost of laying connections, while the Eailway Department does not see its way to provide drainage for these tenants. Being in the centre of the town, some arrangement by which the difficulty might be got over is most desirable. Manaia and Opunake. Manaia. —Population, 441. Infectious diseases reported : Enteric fever, 1. Opunake. —Population, 406. Infectious diseases reported : Tuberculosis, 1. Various improvements have been effected in the drainage of the hotels at these places. Model building and general by-laws have been supplied to Opun ike, and are now being considered by the Council. Kaponga. Population, 278. Infectious diseases reported: Scarlet fever, 2 ; enteric fever, 3; tuberculosis, 1. This township has been constituted a town district, and we have reason to hope that this will result in the removal of some of the worst defects in the sanitary arrangements. Owing to the repeated outbreaks of typhoid emanating from the district, it has not enjoyed the best reputation, but with a vigorous forward policy the new Board can easily restore it to favour. The completion of a short sewer to serve the hotel and boardinghouse was the first step in this direction, and this work has been accomplished on the lines laid down by and under the supervision of Mr. Schauer, Chief Inspector. A nightsoil service is the next item receiving attention, and the Board is now considering the question. Kaponga has one natural advantage, in that a water-supply can be installed at a low cost, and when this is done and strict building by-laws have been adopted, little will be left to make the township one of the most healthy in New Zealand. Inglewood. Population, 1,552. Infectious diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 2. The water-supply is now installed, and the drainage system is fast approaching completion. Many of the house-connections have been put in, all under the supervision of the Engineer and the District Inspector. This town has been singularly free from infectious disease.

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