H.—3l.

Examination of Officers for Public Departments. Six officers have been examined on behalf of public Departments: For the Post and Telegraph Department, 1 ; for Public Works Department, 2 ; for Native Department,|2'; |and for Education Department, 1. For Te Waikato Sanatorium there were_63 applicants for admission. Laboratory. The following is a summary of specimens submitted to this office for bacteriological and other examination :— 173 Sputums for examination for tubercle bacillus. 39 swabs ~ diphtheria bacillus. 9 urines „ general. 7 blood ~ typhoid. 3 smears and swabs ~ gonococci. 4 tissues „ pus. 2 moulds ~ identification. 337 rats ~ pestis bacillus. 22 pathological specimens were received forwarded to the bacteriologist, Wellington, for report. On Mr. Symons, who has shown much aptitude in this branch, has fallen most of the work in connection with the above. Condemnation of Ruinous Habitations. As a result of 98 inspections of ruinous and insanitary dwellings, certificates for condemnation or repair were issued in 56 instances. Work done by Sanitary Inspectors. The following represents a summary of the work done by Inspectors Grieve, Franklin, Bennett, and Winstanley : — Infectious disease— Cases investigated .. .. .. .. .. .. 326 Disinfections .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 165 General inspections .. .. .. .. .. .. . • 3,839 Inspections of food-shops, dairies, slaughteryards, &c. .. . . . . 1,848 Hotels and boardinghouses inspected .. .. .. . . .. 641 Schools inspected .. .. .. .. - • • • • • 103 Factories inspected .. .. .. .. ■ ■ • • • ■ 91 Offensive trades inspected .. . . . . .. ■ • • ■ 17 Complaints investigated .. . . . . . . .. .. 631 Lantern demonstrations on sanitary matters were given by Inspector Bennett at —Hamilton (2), Cambridge, Te Kuiti (2), Taumarunui (2), Taruanga,|Thames, Frankton, Raglan (2), Te Mata, Huntly, Mananui, and Te Awamutu (2). Executive. There has been no falling-ofi in the amount of clerical work, as is evidenced by the number of letters outward—3,BBo—as compared with 3,524 for 1907-8, and 1,536 for 1906-7. The despatch of 1,058 telegrams, the issue of 149 orders for admission to the infectious diseases hospital, 484 notices of infectious cases sent to local authorities, 589 tubes of vaccine lymph distributed to medical practitioners and public vaccinators, together with 257 accounts made out re notifying cases of infectious disease, afford some indication of the amount of detail work handled by the office staff. Supplies of drugs to Native schools to the number of 159 separate orders, papers relating to 63 applications for admission to Te Waikato Sanatorium, in addition to memoranda, circulars, and cards, have passed through the office. As in last year's report, I have pleasure in testifying to the loyal co-operation of Messrs. Symons, Taylor, Kelsall, and Miss Leonard, who have all performed their work conscientiously and efficiently. As a result of the work of Inspectors Bennett, Franklin, Grieve, and Winstanley, there has been general improvement with regard to sanitation in their districts. I have, &c, J. S. Purdy, M.D., C.M.(Aberd.) ; D.P.H.(Camb.), Chief Health Officer, Wellington. District Health Officer. PART B.—HAWKE'S BAY DISTRICT. Sir, — I have the honour to lay before you the eighth annual report on the sanitary condition of the Hawke's Bay District. Napier. Napier, in sanitation, is equalled by few towns, either in the Dominion or elsewhere, and excelled by none. A proposal to borrow £40,000 for the purpose of extending the drainage system in accordance with the plans submitted to the Council by Mr. Midgely Taylor will be submitted to the ratepayers,

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