H.—3l.

Dilapidated and Insanitary Dwellings. Several houses which were in a condition of decay have been condemned as unfit for human habitation, and destroyed, while others have been put into repair in accordance with instructions from the Department. Prosecutions under the Act. On the 9th October, 1908, I brought an action before the Stipendiary Magistrate against a man for knowingly exposing himself in a public place —viz., a railway-carriage —while suffering from an infectious disease (scarlet fever). He pleaded guilty, and was fined 55., and ordered to pay the costs of disinfecting the carriage, which had, in consequence, been temporarily placed out of use. In conclusion, I have much pleasure in stating that Inspector Johnston has carried out his multifarious duties in a most satisfactory manner, the disinfection of premises being in every instance carried out under his personal supervision. As occasion arose he has visited and inspected hotels and boardinghouses of the province ; while auction-rooms, butchers', bakers', fruiterers', and fish shops, Chinese laundries, and gardens have had his constant supervision. I have, &c, W. E. Redman, M.R.C.S.,Eng., &c, The Chief Health Officer, Wellington. Acting District Health Officer. PART G.—WESTLAND DISTRICT. Sir, — Department of Public Health, Greymouth, Bth April, 1909. I have the honour to submit to you my report on the health district which comprises the following counties on the west coast of the South Island : Buller County, Inangahua County, Grey County, and Westland County. The combined area of the district is about 9,950 square miles, and, as I am the only representative of the Department for this district, the work is of no small magnitude. Disinfection. Progress in this direction has been made by the Ross Borough and Hokitika Borough, who have recently purchased a disinfecting equipment. There yet remains other local bodies who are not in a position to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and consequently I have to do this work for them with our own appliances. These authorities are Grey County, Westland County, Brunner Borough, Greymouth Borough, and Kumara Borough. Dilapidated and Insanitary Buildings. The following places have been demolished or repaired (as stated below), in accordance with letters of instruction and advice. There still remains, however, a largo number of worthless buildings which are neither useful nor ornamental, and therefore would be better removed. Greymouth. Four dilapidated buildings in Mackay Street. Demolished. One dilapidated cottage, Tarapuhi Street. Demolished. Two dilapidated dwellings, Gresson Street. Demolished. Hokitika. Five dilapidated shops, Lower Revell Street. Demolished. Two dilapidated houses, Fitzherbert Street. Demolished. Ross. Three dilapidated sheds, Alymer Street. Demolished. Several places have been repaired here. Westport. Six buildings in Palmerston Street. Demolished. One factory, Palmerston Street. Rebuilt. Reefton. Three buildings, Broadway. Demolished. Two shops, Broadway. Repaired. Hotels. A tour of inspection has been made of 84 hotels, for the purpose of reporting to the Licensing Committees. Most of the inspections were made in company with the Inspector of Police, or some member of his stall', whilst in a few cases I made the necessary inspections alone. The combined inspection was made with a view to having the sanitary reports submitted along with the police reports. I attended the annual Licensing Committee meetings at Greymouth and Hokitika respectively on behalf of the Health Department, and gave evidence substantiating my reports when called upon by the Chairman to do so.

B—H. 31.

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