H.—3l.

APPENDIX ll.— LOCAL SANITARY CONDITIONS (REPORTS OF DISTRICT HEALTH OFFICERS.

PART A.—AUCKLAND DISTRICT. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the eighth annual report on the sanitary condition of the Auckland District. Auckland City. During the past year there has been a great improvement in Auckland as to cleanliness by more systematic scavenging, the enforcement of the regulations as to storage, collection, and disposal of refuse. Since the repairs to the city destructor were completed it has been able to deal uninterruptedly with the refuse of the city and many of the surrounding suburbs. There have been conspicuously few complaints as to the removal of nightsoil. The taking of this by barges to Harkins Point, where it is dealt with by employees of the City Council, has been, together with the universal compulsory use of sealed pans, a great improvement. An attempt was made to bring the butchers' shops under regulations, more especially with the view of preventing contamination of meat by dust and flies. The City Council favourably received suggestions from our Department, which will probably be incorporated in the revised by-laws. The opening of the public abattoirs at Westfield, which cost £37,000, insures the meat being inspected by a qualified veterinarian, and killed under the best hygienic conditions,. The water-supply of the city has been ample for present requirements. A new reservoir is at present approaching completion at Waitakerei. Dr. Frost, City Bacteriologist, who makes a monthly examination of the water, has been able to certify as to the purity of the supply. The passing of the Auckland City and Suburban Drainage Bill last session, and the subsequent formation of a Drainage Board, has at last solved the difficult problem of sewerage. Suggestions have been put forward to hasten the completion of the work by starting simultaneously at different parts of the scheme. In this respect it has been agreed to push forward the work of draining Arch Hill Gully, which has been a danger zone for many years. Grey Lynn. Schemes have been suggested for dealing with the drainage of Cox's Creek. Owing to an outbreak of typhoid fever in this district early last year, the City Engineer, the Borough Engineer, and myself, conferred with the Council, but were unable to recommend the adoption of a local scheme of drainage, owing to the cost being excessive for a temporary expedient. The Council has been careful to carry out the supervision and inspection of sanitary affairs. The supplying of disinfectants free to householders, the abolition of all fees for disinfection, and the introduction of a separate sanitary service in enteric cases was a reform which is gradually being taken up by other authorities. Parnell. This sewered town has been immune from enteric fever. Much credit is due to Inspector Burke for his careful supervision of sanitation in this Borough. Newmarket. This borough has vastly improved. Together with the marked advance in sanitation there has been great improvement, owing to the erection of new buildings, more especially in the main street. The carriage of a loan of £5,000 for drainage will practically allow the whole area to adopt a water-carriage system. Mount Eden. This borough will benefit much by the introduction of the drainage scheme. Remuera. From time to time complaints are made about the effluents from septic tanks discharging on to the property of neighbours. As far as possible such are dealt with by the local authority. Until the completion of the drainage scheme, however, such complaints must be expected from time to time. Onehunga. The past year has been one of great progress in this borough. The extension of the water-supply at a cost of £20,000, and the successful carrying of a loan of £42,500 for a comprehensive drainage scheme, show that the present progressive policy of the Mayor and Council is appreciated. Devonport. Devonport still maintains its record as the healthiest portion of our district. No enteric fever has arisen here since the completion of the drainage scheme in 1902.

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