81

H.--31

the Waitaki River. The population of the camp is now over 1,250 men, women, and children, all of whom are housed in well-built huts. There is an ample water-supply from the Waitaki River, and a drainage system terminating in a grease-trap and soak-pit. There is an organized weekly nightsoil service and refuse-collection service, and a whole-time sanitary staff to attend to them. Special care is taken to prevent pollution of the Waitaki River, on account of the fact that the Oamaru watersupply is drawn therefrom. The camp authorities have given every assistance to the Department in carrying out the sanitary improvements asked for. Bluff Oyster Industry.—During the year considerable attention was directed to this industry and its possible connection with cases of typhoid fever occurring in other parts of the country. A full investigation was made into all the circumstances surrounding the industry, but no evidence was forthcoming upon which the oysters could be held to be the vehicle of infection. The chief fact exonerating them was that no case of typhoid fever occurred throughout Otago and Southland during the first ten months of 1929, although many thousands of oysters were consumed in the district during the same period. The raising of the question, however, served a useful purpose in that it led to this investigation, and a review of the possibilities of placing the industry in as satisfactory and hygienic a condition as possible. In this connection various steps have been taken to limit the amount of pollution entering Bluff Harbour, particularly in the neighbourhood of the Oyster Wharf. The following facts also should serve to allay public anxiety : — (1) Southland, of all the districts in New Zealand, has the lowest incidence of typhoid fever. No case of typhoid fever has been notified for two years, and only eight cases have occurred during the past five years. No more suitable locality could be found, therefore, throughout New Zealand for preserving such an industry from the risks of infection. (2) The oyster-beds are in the open sea, several miles from land, and there is not the remotest possibility of their becoming polluted. (3) When necessity arises the oysters are stored for a period of one to four days at a specially selected site in Bluff Harbour well removed from the main shipping wharves. The oysters are in deep water some distance from shore, and there is no likelihood of pollution entering the harbour in the immediate vicinity. (4) To prevent the possibility of a typhoid-carrier handling the oysters, the firms concerned have agreed to require a medical certificate from all men entering their employment. (5) Regular bacteriological examinations are being made of the oysters. So far the standard reached is a very high one. Any deterioration would be immediately noted and the reasons sought for. (6) Only clean, unused sacks are used for the transport of oysters. There must, however, always remain a small irreducible measure of risk in cases where the fish are consumed in a raw state. In conclusion, I would mention especially the continued good work that is done by the country Inspectors. These men, who are often faced with difficult problems which have sometimes to be solved unaided, can always be relied on to carry out their work in a thorough and conscientious manner.

PART X. —SPECIAL GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND SANATORIA: EXTRACTS FROM ANNUAL REPORTS OF MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS. SECTION I.—QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL, HANMER. 'Dr. P. Chisholm, Medical Superintendent; Dr. Ltjmsden ; Miss E. Hodoes, A.R.R.C., Matron. I beg to submit to you the annual report of the Queen Mary Hospital, and a report on the other interests of the Department of Health, in Hanmer Springs. General.—The work of the institution has proceeded along the usual lines during the year. The number of patients under treatment has been approximately the same as in the past few years. The new Nurses' Home was completed, and the building has proved very satisfactory. It is quite adequate to deal with the numbers of the nursing staff, and will undoubtedly prove of very great benefit to the institution. The old bathhouse has been demolished, and a new bathhouse and massage block is in course of erection. lam confident that on the completion of the building it will prove extremely advantageous to the work of the institution. Male Hospital. — The daily average number of patients under treatment in the male hospital has been very consistent during the year. There still remain a fair number of " Service " patients in hospital. The patients have been well cared for, and I have had no complaints in regard to their treatment or care.

11— H. 31.