BOARDS OF HEALTH IN THE VARIOUS PROVINCES, (REPORTS FROM THE).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1875 Session I, H-22

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1875. NEW ZEALAND.

BOARDS OF HEALTH IN THE VARIOUS PROVINCES, (REPORTS FROM THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly in accordance with the provisions of" The Public Health Act, 1872."

No. 1. The Hon. the Colonial Secbetaey to the Chaibmen of the Boabds of Health. (Circular No. 5.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Sib,— Wellington, 10th January, 1873. I have the honour to enclose for the use of the Central Board of Health for the Province of , copies of " The Public Health Act, 1872." The Board will perceive that the powers and duties of Boards of Health are enumerated principally in Part 11. of the Act, and also that some of the more important provisions of this Part are inoperative until brought into force in a province, or in any part thereof, by an Order of the Governor in Council. I shall be obliged by being furnished with the opinion of your Board as to the necessity for such Order being issued with regard to the Province of , and as to the parts of the Act which it may be desirable to bring into operation there. I shall be glad to receive from your Board from time to time such reports and suggestions in regard to the sanitary condition of the part of the colony for which the Board is appointed, as it may appear to it necessary to furnish, and especially full information as to any cases in which, by the action of the Colonial Government, the spread of infectious or contagious diseases can be guarded agaiust or checked, and the public health promoted. It will be very desirable that the Board should, in the month of March in every year, furnish to the Colonial Secretary a report upon the general sanitary condition of the Province of , and upon the working of the Public Health Act in any part of the province in which it has been put into operation. Such report will be laid, with similar reports from other provinces, before both Houses of the Colonial Parliament. I have, &c., John Hall, The Chairman of the Board of Health. Colonial Secretary.

No. 2. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaby to the Chaibsien of Centbal Boabds of Health. (Circular.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Sib,— Wellington, 7th October, 1874. Eeferring to the circular from this Department No. 5, of the 10th January, 1873,1 desire to call your attention to the concluding paragraph, in which the Chairmen of the Boards of Health were requested to furnish to the Colonial Secretary, in the month of March in each year, a report upon the general sanitary condition of the province, and upon the working of the Public Health Act in any part of the province in which it has been put into operation: such report to be laid before Parliament. I hope to receive a report of the nature indicated in the month of March, 1875, in accordance with the provisions of section 15 of " The Public Health Act, 1872." I have, &c, The Chairman, Central Board of Health. D. Pollen. I—H. 22.

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No. 3. The Chaieman of the Centeal Boaed of Health, Auckland, to the Hon. the- Colonial Seceetaet. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 26th June, 1874. In compliance with your Circular No. 5, of the 10th January, 1873, and in conformity to section 15 of " The Public Health Act, 1872," I have the honor to transmit herewith a general report upon the state of the public health of the inhabitants of this province. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, J. Williamson, Wellington. Chairman of the Central Board of Health.

Enclosure in No. 3. Repobt by the Centbal Boaed of Health for the Peoyince of Auckland. The general health of the inhabitants throughout the province during the past year has been exceedingly good. With the exception of a few cases of typhoid fever, eight of which terminated fatally, there has been no epidemic disease of any kind. This satisfactory result cannot however be attributed to auy precautionary action on the part of the local authorities intrusted with the duty of carrying out the provisions of the Public Health Act; for, beyond the limited measures adopted by the Municipal Council in the precincts of the city, no effort appears to have been made in the direction of removing or remedying the many sources of nuisance which exist, and from which, if unchecked, the germs of sickness and disease must, sooner or later, be disseminated over the whole population. The attention of the Central Board has been called to several such nuisances, chief among which may be mentioned the depot for the receipt of the night soil and other dobris from the city, situated at Arch Hill, on the outskirts of the western suburb of Auckland, and used for the purpose under the authority of the City Council. It was found on inspection that no steps whatever were being taken towards deodorizing the matter either before or after its deposit upon the land, and the stench arising from the pits was almost intolerable to the inhabitants residing in the neighbourhood. By direction of the Medical Officer (Dr. Philson) this nuisance has in a great measure been abated, but the only complete remedy will be its removal to a greater distance from town. It has been suggested that the proximity of the present site to the watershed of the Western Springs will exercise a prejudicial effect upon those waters, whence the city water supply is proposed to be taken. Other nuisances exist in the form of defective drainage, open cesspools, ponds of stagnant water, and premises where noxious trades are carried on to the injury of the public health ; and to these the Board has given attention with a view to the prevention of disease. It has been found by experience that, while there is every desire on the part of the Local Boards of Health to enforce the provisions of the Act within their respective districts, they are unable through lack of funds systematically and effectually to do so. With the limit imposed on their rating powers by the Highway Boards Empowering Act, they have barely sufficient means to provide for the maintenance and repair of roads. Under the circumstances, and in the absence of any grant from the Colonial Treasury, the Provincial Council has voted a sum of £600 for the purpose, and it is proposed to assist the Local Boards by appointing competent persons as inspectors under the Act, whose duty it will be to visit each district periodically, to insist upon a strict compliance with the provisions of the Act on the part of the inhabitants, and to ascertain and report from time to time whether any disease of a dangerous nature exists in any locality under their inspection. An endeavour is being made towards the introduction of earth-closets into the city and suburbs, but it is uncertain whether, in the face of section 20 of the Act, the Board would be empowered to introduce the system gradually, before the date specified in that section (Ist June, 1875). A question has also arisen as to whether the Proclamation under section 19 requires the Governor's renewal at the expiration of every period of six months, or whether one notification of renewal is sufficient. Only one case of quarantine has occurred within the province. The immigrant ship " Dorette," on arrival from London in April last, was reported as having scarlatina on board, aud the passengers were accordingly ordered to perform quarantine. None of the cases (eight in number) proved fatal; and after a lapse of ten days, the usual precautions having been taken, the passengers were landed and the vessel admitted to pratique. This instance has produced one good effect by illustrating what further provision was needed to render the quarantine station better fitted to receive patients, and it is satisfactory to know that the necessary improvements are about to be carried out under the authority of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. To meet any future contingency of the kind it is highly desirable that regulations should be made without delay under that part of the Act relating to quarantine. Upon the subject of vaccination, which, although embodied in the Act, does not lie within the functions of the Board, it may be suggested that provision should be made for the appointment in remote country districts, where no qualified medical practitioner resides, of other competent persons to act as public vaccinators, and for their remuneration on a more liberal scale than the limit of 2s. 6d. per arm, which is wholly inadequate for a large and scattered district sparsely populated. J. M. Philsox, M.D., Medical Officer, Vincent E. Eice, Auckland, 20th June, 1874. Secretary.

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No. 4. His Honor the Supeeintendent, Auckland, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaby. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 17th September, 1875. In conformity to the Public Health Act, I have the honor to forward herewith reports received by this Board from the Local Boards of Health in this province. I am, &c, G. Gbey, Chairman of the Central Board of Health. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington.

Enclosures in No. 4. Mr. Philips to Mr. Eice. Sib,— Town Clerk's Office, City Council, Auckland, 9th April, 1875. I beg to enclose you Local Health Officer's report for March quarter, including city limits only. I am, &c, P. A. Philips, V. E. Eice, Esq., Secretary Board of Health. Town Clerk. Mr. GtOldie to the Secbetaet, Central Board of Health. Sib, — Local Board of Health, Auckland, sth April, 1875. I have the honor to report that a great amount of sickness has prevailed within the city, chiefly measles, diarrhoea, and dysentery, which have been fatal more particularly to a number of children, sixty-two deaths having been registered from the above causes alone. Deducting sixty-two from the total number of deaths for the month, which is eighty-seven, 5 the remainder would be less than the number registered in the previous month, the long dry season and the scarcity of water being much felt, doubtless being the cause of great mortality among infants. The cleanliness and general sanitary condition of the city is good. An efficient gang of men are employed to sweep Queen Street from end to end twice a week. Four men are constantly employed in sweeping and cleansing channels and drains where there are no sewers, and immediately remove anything offensive which may be deposited not infrequently on the public streets and thoroughfares of the city. One man is employed two days in the week at the Intake. A strict daily inspection of the most thickly populated portions of the city is made, and offenders in aggravated cases summoned. Nothing of an offensive nature, or which may be injurious to health, is allowed to remain, every precaution being taken to insure health. The majority of the privies have boxes fitted in them, the holes previously used being filled in, and, if tenants would only exercise a little trouble and attention to use earth in the privies, they would soon value the benefit of the system. These boxes are emptied once a fortnight, and in many instances once a week. I have, &c, GrEO. GoLDIE, Officer appointed under the Health Act. The Secretary of the Central Board of Health. Mr. Jones to the Secbetaby, Central Board of Health. Sib,— Newton, 22nd April, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 22nd March, requesting a report as to the sanitary condition of the district. And in reply I have the honor to report that the health of the inhabitants in general is good; and also that the sanitary condition of the district is satisfactorily good. The members of the Board desire to express their thanks to the Central Board of Health for the valuable services rendered to the district by their Inspector, Mr. Heighway, to whose unremitting visits the present satisfactory sanitary condition of the district may be attributed. I have, &c, Fbancis J. Jones, Chairman, Newton Local Board of Health. The Secretary, Central Board of Health. Mr. McNeill to the Secbetaby, Central Board of Health. Gentlemen, — Newmarket District Highway Board, 16th April, 1875. In conformity with section IG, Public Health Act, I have the honor to report on the health, cleanliness, and general sanitary condition of this district. 1. Health. —A large amount of sickness has prevailed for some time past, both amongst children and grown-up people. In three cases of the latter it has terminated fatally. 2. Cleanliness and General Sanitary Condition. —This district is in as good a state in this respect as it is possible for the Local Board to make it, but the slaughterhouse still existing in its midst renders the atmosphere very impure, especially during the past few months of calm dry weather, and it is believed that a large amount of the sickness prevailing is attributable to this cause. There is aiso an open drain running through Mr. Hancock's property and emptying itself into the Slaughterhouse Creek, which has been reported to me by the Inspector under the Public Health Act as producing a very

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offensive smell, and that complaints have been made to him by the people residing in the neighbourhood. I have written Mr. Hancock regarding it, and I trust he will see the propriety of covering the drain over, as the impurities entirely arise from the drainage from his brewery. I have, &c, John McNeill, The Central Board of Health. Chairman. Mr. Slattee to the Chaieman, Central Board of Health. Sib, — Mount Eden Highway Board, 22nd April, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter JSo. 175, relative to the sanitary state of the district, and to say in reply that the district is in a clean and healthy state, although measles have been prevalent, not a death (to the knowledge of the Board) having occurred. I have, &c, John Slatteb, The Chairman of the Central Board of Health. Chairman. Mr. Davies to the Chaieman, Central Board of Health. Thames, 24th March, 1875. The Local Board of Health, Thames, have the honor to report, for the information of the Central Board of Health, Auckland, that the district under its control has been remarkably exempt from illness during the past year, and, as will be seen by reference to the monthly reports of the Registrar-General, has during the same period averaged the lowest death rate of any borough in the colony. At the present time measles are very prevalent, though in a much milder form than in many other districts. The Local Board of Health has used all means at its disposal to maintain cleanliness within its boundaries, by causing its specially appointed officer to see that all back yards, privies, and stables are maintained clean and free from accumulations of refuse. The Board has also contracted for the removal twice a week of all household refuse and sweepings, and has caused the surface drains and gutters to be continually cleaned out, and, where practicable, flushed out by occasionally turning the creeks into them. The Local Board would point out that in a flat district like the Thames, but a few inches above tho level of high water, it is impossible except at an enormous expense to institute any system of drainage, except surface drainage. All house slops and liquid impure matter must therefore be allowed, for the present, to soak into the earth. In closing this report, this Board would urge the importance of the Central Board of Health providing some suitable building at the Thames in which cases of contagious disease could at once be isolated, and thus, to a very great extent, prevent the spread of infectious illness in so thickly populated a district. W. Davies, Chairman, Local Board of Health, Thames. Mr. Kowe to the Chairman, Central Board of Health. 26th March, 1875. The Waiotahi District Local Board of Health has the honor to report, for the information of the Central Board of Health, Auckland, that until very lately this district has been very free from illness and disease of all kinds ; and that mortality which has lately been amongst very young children may possibly be attributed to the scarcity of rain water at this season of the year, as all the creeks from which the residents on the hills obtain their water supply have running or draining into them mine water —i.e., water draining out of reefs cut in drives, more or less impregnated with the minerals present in the reefs. In the winter, spring, and autumn the largo amount of rain falling dilutes to so great a degree the waters that thus drain into these creeks from the drives as to render them harmless. The epidemic measles has lately made its appearance within the district. The formation of the district—ranges of hills—and the comparative isolation of the dwellings, "miners' residences " held under " miners' rights," all conduce to render the district healthy and free from disease, except such as might be brought into the district (should a find of sufficient richness occur like the Caledonian) by arrivals from foreign ports. Should any infectious disease be thus brought into the district, this Board, from the want of a house in which patients could be isolated, would be almost powerless to prevent such disease spreading. This want is therefore submitted for the consideration of the Central Board of Health. W. Eowe, Chairman, "Waiotahi District Local Board of Health. Mr. Mitchell to the Seceetaet, Central Board of Health. Office of the Kauwaeranga District Board, Shortland, Sib,— 20th April, 1875. In reply to your letter of 22nd ultimo, requesting to be furnished with a report of the health, cleanliness, and sanitary condition of this district, I have now the honor to enclose herewith a form containing the information required. As this Board has never been furnished with "The Public Health Act, 1872," I am directed to apply to you for a copy, for future guidance. I have, &c., Rout. M, Mitchell, The Secretary, Central Board of Health, Auckland. Secretary.

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Eepoet of the Sanitary Condition of the KAU waeeanga Highway Distrct, in accordance with Section 15 of " The Public Health Act, 1872." Health. —With the exception of measles, which has become epidemic, and has affected many of the adult population as well as infants, the general health of the district is good. Cleanliness. —The greater part of the district having a good fall for drainage, its cleanliness is satisfactory. The buildings are mostly detached, and with a better water supply the district would be much cleaner. General Sanitary Condition. —Earth closets are much used, and as a general rule the sanitary condition of the inhabitants is good. An abundant supply of good water for domestic use is, however, urgently required. Eobt. M. Mitchell, 20th April, 1875. Secretary.

No. 5. His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetart. (No. 89.) Sir, — Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, 3rd November, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular No. 25,1874-2343 (7th October, 1874), in reference to the Chairman of the Board of Health furnishing to the Colonial Secretary, in the month of March, a report upon the general sanitary condition of the province, and upon the working of the Public Health Act, &c. In reply, I beg leave to state that the report asked for shall be duly forwarded. I have, &c, Peed. A. Careington, Superintendent, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, "Wellington. Chairman of the Board of Health.

No. 6. The Chairman, Board of Health, Taranaki, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, 22nd March, 1875. Eeferring to your circular No. 25,1874-2343 (7th October, 1874), in reference to the Chairman of the Board of Health furnishing to the Colonial Secretary, in the month of March in each year, a report upon the general sanitary condition of the province, &c, I have now the honor to forward the report asked for from the Board of Health for the Province of Taranaki. I have, &c, Fred. A. Caerington, Superintendent, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, "Wellington. Chairman of the Board of Health.

Enclosure in No. 6. T. Gr. Bawson, Esq., M.D., Surgeon of Board of Health, to His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki. Sin,— New Plymouth, 22nd March, 1875. I have the privilege of reporting to your Honor upon the general sanitary condition of New Plymouth during the past year. Two meetings of the Board of Health have been held during the year —one in the month of March, 1874, and the last during the present month. I have made inspections at different times of suspected neighbourhoods in the town; and the dangerous conditions which were not removed on my own representations and remonstrances, were laid before the Board on one or other of the meetings referred to, and have been promptly remedied as far as at present practicable. On the whole, the year has been a very healthy one. "We have had no contagious epidemics. The amount of illness and deaths has been greater during the last two months, but not more so than might reasonably be expected in an unusually hot and dry season. The prevalent complaints since the hot weather set in have been dysentery, diarrhoea, and stomach and bilious fevers, children being the most generally affected. The deaths have, I consider, been few, comjjared with the numbers attacked. In no instance has the sickness been traceable to any local condition, the disease occurring alike in the most airy and healthy localities and in the more crowded parts of the town. Those more prevalent complaints since the hot weather set in may reasonably be attributed to the excessive action of the skin, and the morbid sympathy of the liver, and the corfkequent acrid biliary secretions, and febrile and irritable condition of the lining mucous membrane of the stomach and bowels; hence, the bilious fever, dysentery, diarrhoea, and gastro-enterite, all links in the same chain of morbid sympathies. The Board of Health has no power to enforce habits of cleanliness, as important in the preservation of health, and the prevention of contagion, as clean premises. But the Board would act wisely in insisting on the establishment of free baths and wash-houses, for such as have not the necessary conveniences at home. I have, &c, T. Gr. Kawson, M.D., His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki. Surgeon of Board of Health.

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No. 7. The Chaieman, Central Board of Health, Napier, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic— Board of Health Office, Napier, 7th April, 1875. Eeferring to your circular letter No. 25, of the 7th October last, I have the honor to state that there has been an unusual amount of sickness in this province during the past summer months, and that the rate of mortality has been considerable. Respecting the working of the Public Health Act, as the general provisions have not been in force during the past year, I have no report to make. I have, &c, J. D. Osmond, Chairman of Central Board of Health, Napier. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington,

No. 8. His Honor the Superintendent, Marlborough, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Blenheim, sth November, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular No. 25, 1874-3343, and in reply to state that, as the sanitary condition of the province has always been in a satisfactory state, I have not deemed it necessary to call the Board of Health together. Should the General Government however be desirous of having the Act in operation here, I will, upon receiving a further request, call the Board together. I have, &c, A. P. Seymoub, The Hon, the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 9. The Deputy Chairman, Central Board of Health, Hokitika, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Office of the Central Board of Health, Hokitika, Sir,— 10th August, 1874. In accordance with the 15th clause of " The Public Health Act, 1872," I have the honor to forward herewith copies of the reports received by the Central Board of Health from the several local Boards. I have, &c, Feancis Tabaet, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, "Wellington. Deputy Chairman. The Town Cleek, Hokitika, to the Seceetaet, Central Board Hokitika. (No. 1,596.) Office of the Local Board of Health, Town Hall, Hokitika, Sib,— 14th July, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 39, of 9th May, 1874, forwarding a resolution of the Central Board of Health, and, in reply, have to inform you that Dr. Dermott was requested to report to this Board on the sanitary state of the borough; and I now beg to hand you his report just to hand. I have, Ac, W. D. Banks, The Secretary, Central Board, Hokitika. Town Clerk. The Peovincial Subgeon, Hokitika, to the Cleek, Local Board of Health, Hokitika. Sib,— Hokitika, 13th July, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo, asking me, by direction of the Local Board of Health, to make a report on the health, cleanliness, and general sanitary state of the town of Hokitika. To afford me the opportunity of giving a statistical report, it will be necessary to limit my remarks to a fixed period. I propose to include the past half-year, commencing on the Ist January, and ending on the 30th June, 1874. The record of births and deaths is for the borough town of Hokitika exclusively, and is taken from the register books in my office. The Hokitika Hospital and the Hokitika Lunatic Asylum are outside the borough. The records of these establishments are not recorded in this report. I append a table showing the number of births and deaths which occurred during the first halfyear of 1874, and a similar table for the corresponding part of the year 1873. The health, cleanliness, and general sanitary state of the Town of Hokitika being the matters under consideration, I will report on them seriatim. The term "health " in its more usual acceptation is a variable condition; it differs widely in different persons, and in the same persons at different times ; thus, the terms " perfect," " good," " strong," " robust," " feeble," and " delicate," are used. The contamination of the air is a most efficient cause of modifications in the state of health, as well as a prolific source of disease. The pure air of a district like Hokitika is subject to contamination by the exhalation from stagnant pools, defective drainage, and putrid and decomposing animal and vege-

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table matter, which, when they do not produce actual disease, have a morbid influence on the general health of the inhabitants. From personal knowledge, I can state that, in HoMtika, sickness increases as the temperature rises, and that the mortality is greatest when the temperature is lowest. . A hot summer therefore is sickly, and a cold winter fatal to life. As a high temperature promotes putrefaction and decay, it is obviously favourable to disease depending on atmospheric impurities. To remedy and guard against atmospheric impurities, good drainage and cleanliness must claim the foremost rank. During the past six months, numerous cases of zymotic and miasmatic disease have occurred throughout Hokitika, but more particularly in the low-lying portion of the town. The forms of disease were—scarlatina, erysipelas, dysentery, diarrhoea, and low fever. I attribute the cause chiefly to defective drainage : I refer particularly to the Market Eeserve on G-ibson's Quay, where, or near "to it, most of the diseases referred to have occurred. There is a foul and open drain (a fever nest) in front of the houses. Other portions of the town are nearly deserving of equal remark. I would particularly direct the attention of the Local Board of Health to clause 30 of the Public Health Act, wherein ample power is given to dispose of such nuisances as open drains. An efficient system of drainage is simply indispensable for preserving the health of the inhabitants of the town of Hokitika. The number of deaths which occurred during the past six months were fewer than during the corresponding period of last year (vide Table). The sanitary condition of the town of Hokitika would in my opinion be materially benefited if facilities were provided for bathing and washing. A cheap and inexpensive system of public baths would, I am sure, be productive of much good in a sanitary sense to the people, and could be made almost self-supporting. I would suggest a consideration of this matter to the Local Board of Health. The stowage of hides in a populated part of the town I consider to be very objectionable. I desire to draw attention to the apathy parents and others show in complying with so important a matter as not having children vaccinated; but, as ample power rests with the proper authorities to enforce compliance, it is a matter that cannot be overlooked, and, with the knowledge that small-pox has recently appeared in the colony, the subject assumes considerable importance. In the subjoined Table it is shown that, of 24 deaths registered for the town of Hokitika during the past half-year, 14 were of children under one year, and that in 1873 29 deaths were registered, of which 14 were children under one year. I have, &c, ' FITZHEBBEBT DeEMOTT, "W. D. Banks, Esq., Clerk, Local Board of Health, Hokitika. Provincial Surgeon. The Cleek, Eoad Board District, Okarito, to the Chaieman, Central Board of Health, Hokitika. Sic,— Eoad Board Office, Okarito, 23rd June, 1875. In reply to your circular, I am instructed by the Chairman of the Local Board of Health to report that there is at present a species of chicken-pox among a few of the children in the district. Otherwise the district is in a very healthy condition. I have, &c, J. S. Behton, The Chairman of the Central Board of Health, Hokitika. Clerk. Mr. H. H. Walteks, Paroa, to the Chaieman, Central Board of Health, Hokitika. Sic, — Office of the Local Board of Health, Paroa, 17th July, 1874. In reply to your circular dated 9th ultimo, I am directed by the Board to report as follows: —■ 1. The sanitary state of the inhabitants of the Paroa District is generally good, the majority of cases requiring medical attendance being of the nature of mining accidents. 2. The back country being rapidly intersected by good roads, the transport of patients to the Grey Eiver Hospital is much facilitated. 3. Some apprehensions are felt with regard to the Chinese, of whom a great number have recently arrived in the district. It is feared that their repugnance to meddle with the dead bodies of any of their countrymen, and also their wretched mode of living together in great numbers with limited dwelling accommodation, will engage the active attendance of the Board during the summer months. 4. The only part of the district where a medical man resides is the Greenstone. I have, &c, H. H. Walter, The Chairman of the Central Board of Health, Hokitika. Secretary. Mr. J. S. Caeo, Stafford, to the Chaibman, Arahura Board of Health. Sic,— Stafford, 24th July, 1874. In compliance with your request, conveyed to me in a letter by your Hon. Secretary, I beg to forward a short report on the sanitary state of health in this district, as far as my own knowledge enables me to do. I must, however, observe that such report must necessarily be brief and incomplete, owing to the circumstance that a large number of patients from here resort to either the Hokitika Hospital or are treated by private practitioners there, so that a considerable amount of ailments incidental to the Arahura population escapes my notice altogether. To commence : of the diseases which came under my personal care since my last report, I have to record in particular the zymotic disease termed scarlatina, which has been prevalent here during the past five months of the present year as an epidemic, attacking a large number of children, and also several adults. I am, however, happy to state that the said malady had assumed for the most part a benign character, and did not go beyond the stage of what is termed scarlatina anginosis, so that, with

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the exception of one case which, I believe, terminated fatally at the hospital, all the other patients sooner or later recovered. Of other miasmatic diseases, there was one case of measles, several sporadic cases of enteric fever, some of dysentery, and a larger number of diarrhoea; also, some cases of rheumatism and glandular swelling. Under parasitic diseases, I have to mention several cases of thrush among children, and of intestinal worms, which latter disorder is, as I have pointed out in my previous report, very prevalent in this district. One case of constitutional disease, viz. of cancer, occurred in a person above the middle age, and had ended in death. Of local diseases are those of the respiratory system, such as coughs, colds, and bronchitis, not uncommon during the rainy season; and those of the digestive organs, such as intestinal disorders, and some kinds of liver complaints are met with in summer. Two deaths, both of children who had suffered from convulsions arising from brain disease, had occurred within the last five months. Altogether, I consider the average state of health in this district to be favourable, and to bear comparison with any other district of the same size and population im the Middle Island of New Zealand. I have, &c, The Chairman, Arahura Board of Health. J. S. Caeo. The Town Clerk, G-reymouth, to the Secretary, Central Board of Health, Greymouth. Sic— Town Clerk's Office, Greymouth, 23rd July, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 40, 9th June, 1874, requesting the Local Board of Health of Greymouth to furnish a report, drawn up by a medical man, upon the sanitary state of Greymouth; and to transmit the attached copy of a report drawn by Dr. C. L. Morice upon the sanitary condition of Greymouth. I have, &c, John A. "Whall, Town Clerk. A. E. Tennant, Esq., Secretary to the Central Board of Health, Hokitika. Dr. C. L. Moeice to the Board of Health, Greymouth. Gentlemen, — Greymouth, 17th July, 1874. The town of Greymouth is at present free from any epidemic disease, a sanitary state not likely to continue long, unless the present privy and scavengering system, local and general drainage, be more especially attended to. I am, &c, The Board of Health, Greymouth. C. L. Moeice. The Secretary, Local Board of Health, Kanieri, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Hokitika, Sin,— Office of the Local Board of Health, Kanieri, 24th June, 1874. I have the honor, by direction of the Chairman of the Local Board of Health, Kanieri, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant, and to forward you herewith a report on the sanitary state of the Kanieri District, and also respectfully to inform you that there is no medical man residing in the district at present. I have, &c, Robert Paul, Secretary, Local Board of Health, Kanieri. The Chairman of the Central Board of Health, Hokitika. The Inspector, Local Board of Health, Kanieri, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Hokitika. Sir,— Office of the Local Board of Health, Kanier, 24th June, 1874. 1 have the honor to report that the health of the inhabitants of the Kanieri Township and District at present is very good. Scarlatina was prevalent in this district for a few months, but it was of a mild form. As far as lam aware of, there is no evidence of epidemic or any other contagious disease existing in this district at present. The business places and dwellings throughout the district are, on the whole, clean and well drained. The slaughter yards on the beach, north of Hokitika, are very badly situated : the situation being so low, it is not possible to drain them, and keep them as clean as they ought to be. I have, &c, Robert Paul, Inspector, Local Board of Health, Kanieri. The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Hokitika.

No. 10. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 7th October, 1874. Referring to the circular from this department No. 5, of the 10th January, 1873, I desire to call your attention to the concluding paragraph, in which the Chairmen of Boards of Health were requested to furnish to the Colonial Secretary, in the month of March in each year, a report upon the general sanitary condition of the province, and upon the working of the Public Health Act in any part of the province in which it has been put into operation: such reports to be laid before Parliament. I hope to receive a report of the nature indicated in the month of March, 1875, in accordance with the provisions of section 15 of " The Public Health Act, 1872." I have, &c, The Chairman of the Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Daniel Pollen.

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No. 11. His Honor the Supebintendent, Otago, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Province of Otago, N.Z. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, 22nd July, 1875. In compliance with the provisions of the Public Health Act, I have the honor to forward herewith reports from the various Local Health Boards throughout the province, from which it will be seen that the public health is generally satisfactory, and that steps are being taken to prevent the breaking out and spread of disease in the more populous parts of the province. I have, &c, J. Macandbew, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, "Wellington. Superintendent of Otago.

Enclosures in No. 11. Eeplies received from District Boards of Health re Sanitary Eeport. Road Boards. Jan. 2, 1875, Hawkesbury Eoad Board. Nov. 20, 1874, Tuturau Eoad Board. Dec. 31, 1874, Balmoral „ Dec. 7, 1874, Seaside Nov. 18, 1874, Clutha „ No date, Matau „ Dec. 16, 1874, Waikouaiti „ Nov. 30, 1874, Clinton „ Dec. 16,1874, Portobello „ Nov. 27,1874, Clydevale „ Dec. 18,1874, Mornington „ Nov. 28,1874, Eoslyn „ Dec. 12, 1874, Grey „ Nov. 27, 1874, Oteramika „ Dec. 11,1874, Lindhurst „ Nov. 24, 1874, Mount Stuart Dec. 2, 1874, South Molyneux „ Nov. 24, 1874, North-East Valley „ Dec. 8, 1874, Blueskin „ Nov. 20, 1874, Palmerston „ Municipalities. Nov. 17,1874, Dunedin. Dec. 14,1874, Arrowtown. Nov. 7, 1874, Alexandra. Nov. 5,1874, Naseby. Nov. 4,1874, Eoxburgh. Dec. 4, 1874, Clyde. Oct. 31, 1874, Oamaru. Nov. 11,1874, Queenstown. Nov. 2,1874, West Hawkesbury. Nov. 19,1874, Cromwell. Dec. 20, 1874, Palmerston. Nov. 18, 1874, Port Chalmers. Dec. 17,1874, Lawrence.

The Chaibman, Hawkesbury Eoad Board, to the Chaieman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sib, — Hawkesbury, 2nd January, 1875. In reply to your letter of the 14th November, 1874,1 have the honor to inform you that the sanitary state of this district is very satisfactory. Although for the last two years the district has been without the services of a resident medical man, the rate of mortality has been extremely low. The late prevalent epidemics have affected us but slightly. I have, &c, Chairman, Central Board of Health, Henby Okbell, Dunedin. Chairman of the Hawkesbury Eoad Board. The Clekk, Balmoral Eoad Board, to the Chaieman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sib,— Milton, 31st December, 1874. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th November, addressed to the Chairman, Balmoral Eoad Board, and am instructed by the Chairman to reply that the sanitary condition of the district is unexceptionably good. I have, &c, J. Macandrew, Esq., J. Hendeeson, Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Clerk, Balmoral Eoad Board. The Chaieman, Clutha District Eoad Board, to the Chaieman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sib,— Clutha District Eoad Board Office, Clutha, 18th November, 1874. Concerning the sanitary condition of this district I have the honor to report that, with the exception of measles in a mild form, the general health is remarkably good. Of the complaint mentioned only few children have to the present time been attacked. From the prevalency of it, however, at Balclutha, little doubt remains that it will soon be more common in this district. There have also lately been a few isolated cases of a still more unpleasant cutaneous disorder, happily never common—monosyllabic in the vernacular, but unmentionable to ears polite (Scotorum violino) —but a liberal application of a well-known remedy has effectually stopped its progress: at least it is to be hoped so. I have, &c, The Chairman, Central Board of Health, T. H. Meeking, Dunedin. Pro Chairman, Clutha District Eoad Board. 2—H. 22.

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The Cleek, "Waikouaiti Road Board, to the Chaibman, Board of Health, Dunedin. Sic,— Merton, 16th December, 1874. The Waikouaiti Road Board are in receipt of your" letter of 14th ult., with enclosure. In the absence of a medical practitioner in the district (as there is not one resident from Dunedin to Palmerston), the Board have to report that there is nothing unusual with the health of the people of the district. I have, &c, ¥m. H. Batlet, The Chairman, Board of Health, Dunedin. Clerk, "Waikouaiti Road Board. The Chairman, Portobello Road Board, to the Chaibman, Board of Health, Dunedin. Sic,— Portobello, 16th December, 1874. In accordance with the Public Health Act, I have the honor to report that the health of the Portobello District is good, there being no infectious disease in the district. I have, &c, John McCaetnet, Chairman, Portobello Road Board. James Macandrew, Esq., Chairman, Board of Health, Dunedin. The Chaieman, Mornington Road Board, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sic, — • Dunedin, 18th December, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 14th ultimo, in which you request to be furnished with a report as to the sanitary condition of the Mornington Road District. I have to apologize for not replying before, but I was desirous of laying your letter before a meeting of the District Road Board, and the delay caused thereby, as well as press of other business, led to this matter standing over so long. As to the sanitary condition of the district, I have the honor to report that at present it is, so far as I and the other members of the Board are aware, in a very healthy and satisfactory state, and that measles, which were recently so prevalent throughout the city and suburbs, have disappeared, so that there is really nothing further to report. I have, &c, The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. James Andeeson. The Chairman, Grey Road Board, to the Chaieman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sir, — Greytown, 12th December, 1874. I have the honor to forward the report as to the sanitary condition of Grey Road District, as follows:— 1. The district is sparsely populated, with only two small townships, and consequently accumulations are not so dangerous as in more thickly populated places; but as a rule steadings and cottages are carefully and cleanly kept. There is only one slaughter-yard at present in the district, but another is about to be established at Greytown. It would be a matter of great importance, if these slaughteryards were kept, even in the country, a little further from the dwelling-houses. 2. The only disease at present in the district is the measles, but as yet no fatal case has occurred, although most of the children and some grown-up persons have had them. I have, &c, James Cuilend, Chairman, Grey Road Board, Greytown. The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. The Ciiaieman, Lindhurst Road Board, to the Ciiaibman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sir, — Mataura, 11th December, 1874. In reply to your communication of date 14th November, I have to report that there is no infectious or contagious disease at present existing in the Lindhurst Road District, and that the general health is good. I have, &c, Thomas Mac Gibbon, Chairman, Lindhurst Road Board. James Macandrew, Esq., Chairman of Central Board of Health, Dunedin. The Chaieman, South Molyneux Road Board District, to the Chairman, Central Road Board of Health, Dunedin. Sic, — Willowmead, Puerua, 2nd December, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your Honor's letter of the 14th November last, requesting me to furnish to the Central Board of Health, under the provisions of section 15 of " The Public Health Act, 1872," a report as to the sanitary condition of the South Molyneux Road District. I take it for granted that this Road District Board has been duly appointed a Local Board under the Act, and that it is in consequence of this appointment that I am addressed. I wish it were in my power to form au opinion in regard to the health, cleanliness, and general sanitary state of the district, but, even were 1 able, I fear thai deficient information would make the opinion of little value. However, I may *ay that, generally speaking, with the exception of a mild kind of measles, which universally prevails, the health of the district may be considered good, as also its general sanitary state.

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So far as I can ascertain, it is not possible, without considerable expense, to carry out the provisions of Part IV. of the Act. The district extends from the Puerua Biver to Port Molyneux and Catlin's Eiver. I would suggest that reports be called for from the several officers whose duties are defined under this part of the Act, as to how far the Act is complied with, the causes of non-compliance if any, and the remedies to be applied. I take this opportunity of recommending the establishment of a local hospital at some central spot, where various roads meet, and where patients may be attended to, thus avoiding the necessity of sending them to Dunedin. I have, &c, The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. J. Richardson. The Clerk, Blueskin Road Board, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Yotjr Honor, — . Office of the Blueskin Road Board, Bth December, 1874. In accordance with your request to furnish a report of the sanitary condition of the Blueskin Road District, I am directed to inform you that the district is throughout a very healthy one. With the exception of that epidemic (the measles) which has been and still is raging throughout the district, there is no other infectious disease, nor any noxious swamps or other nuisance so far as any officer of the Board is aware, throughout the district. I have, Ac., ' His Honor J. Macandrew, Esq., William James Bolt, Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Clerk, Blueskin Road Board. The Chairman, Tuturau Road Board, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sir, — Tuturau, Mataura, 20th November, 1874. In compliance with section 15, "Public Health Act, 1872," I have to state that the general health of the district is excellent; with the exception of one case of measles, occurring some four or five weeks since, there are no epidemics of any kind. During the past winter there were several cases of rheumatic fever, but as regards contagious diseases the district has been particularly free. I have, &c, J. H. Perkins, Chairman, Tuturau Road Board. The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. The Chairman, Seaside Road Board, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sir, — Seasido Road District, 7th December, 1874. In compliance with the requisition which I have received from the Central Board of Health, and in conformity with clause 15 of " The Public Health Act, 1872," I have the honor to report that the sanitary condition of this district is excellent, and free from all infectious diseases except measles, which has been very prevalent throughout the district, but is now abating; and further, that this district is, from its general salubrity, becoming the resort of many convalescents. I have, &c, Thomas Haworth, Chairman of the Seaside Road Board. The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. The Chairman, Matau Road Board, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sir — I am directed by the Matau Road Board to inform you that the sanitary condition of the district under their jurisdiction is in a satisfactory state. At the present time, like other districts of the province, measles are prevalent, but of a mild nature. Otherwise, this locality is exempt from contagious diseases. I have, &c, GrEORGE INGLIS, Chairman, Matau Road Board. The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. The CnAiRMAN, Clinton Road Board, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sir, — Waiwera, 30th November, 1874. In answer to your circular dated 13th instant, I have the honor to state that there are a few cases of measles, but so far as I am aware there is no other disease at present in the district. I have, &c, Thomas Blacklock, Chairman Clinton Road Board. The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. The Chairman, Clydevale Road Board, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sir, — Clydevale, Waiwera, 27th November, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your circular of the 14th instant, and in reply to report that there are no epidemic or contagious diseases existing in this district, and that the general health of the district is good. I have, &c, Thomas Bryderie, The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Chairman.

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The Ciiaibman, Eoslyn District Eoad Board, to the Ciiaibman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sib,— Eoslyn, 28th November, 1875. I have the honor to report that the sanitary condition of the Eoslyn Eoad District is good. No sickness of any consequence exists in the district. The District School, from which over 200 pupils (of 250 attending the school) were recently absent through the prevalence of measles, is again well filled, the disease having now apparently left the district. I have, &c. A. H. Eoss, Chairman of the Eoslyn District Eoad Board. The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. The Chaibman, Oteramika Eoad Board, to the Chaibman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Oteramika Eoad Board Office, Edendale, Mataura, Sib,— 27th November, 1874. In reply to your circular of 14th instant, I have to report that this district is free from any epidemic or contagious disease, that the health of its inhabitants is good, and sanitary condition fair. I have, &c, Thomas Bbtdeeie, The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Chairman. The C:debb:, Mount Stuart Eoad Board, to the Chaibman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sib,— Lovel's Flat, 24th November, 1874. I am directed by the Chairman, Mount Stuart Eoad Board, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the date 14th November, enclosing copy of Public Health Acts, and also to inform you that the sanitary condition of the Mount Stuart Eoad District is in a satisfactory state. The measles are prevalent in the adjoining districts of Tokomairiro and Crichton, but no case has occurred as yet within the boundaries of the Mount Stuart District. I have, &c, Alexandeb Nelson, The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Clerk to the Board. The Clebk:, Local Board North-East Valley, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sib— November 24th, 1874. I am instructed by the North-East Valley Eoad Board to acknowledge receipt of your letter, accompanied with a copy of the Sanitary Act, and, on behalf of the Chairman to the Board, to inform you that the present condition of the district is very good, and free from any contagious disease, with the exception of measles. I have, &c, Hugh McPadtex, Clerk to Local Board, North-East Valley. The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. The Clebk, Palmerston Eoad Board, to the Chaibman, Board of Health, Dunedin. Palmerston Eoad Board Office, Palmerston, Sib,— 20th November, 1874. By direction of the Chairman of the Palmerston Eoad Board, I have the honor to forward the enclosed certificate of health, as requested by your Honor, for the information of the Board of Health. I have, &c, John Keen, The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Clerk. ¥m. Bbown, Esq., Surgeon, to the Chaieman, Palmerston Eoad Board. Sib,— Palmerston, 20th November, 1874. In reference to inquiries regarding the health of the district, I have the honor to inform you that there is an epidemic of measles at the present time, which made its appearance about twelve or fourteen days ago, of a mild type so far as I have seen, except two or three cases, and with a great tendency of spreading. Most of the cases in the road district are in the immediate vicinity of the township of Palmerston. There have been in the above-mentioned period about twelve cases in the road district, and almost twenty in the township, two or three having been adults, the remainder being children. A few of the cases were seriously affected, though none have been fatal, and those few severe cases remaining are improving. To prevent the spread of the disease as much as possible, I recommended that tho District School in Palmerston should be closed for a short period, and I am informed it has been closed accordingly. No other infectious or contagious disease exists in the district at the present time. I am, &c, ¥m. Beown, The Chairman, Palmerston Eoad Board. Surgeon, &c.

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The Town Clebk, Dunedin, to the Chaieman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sib,— Town Clerk's Office, Dunedin, 17th November, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 20th October, 1874, addressed to his Worship the Mayor, as Chairman of the Local Board of Health, calling attention to the provisions of section 15 of " The Public Health Act, 1872," and requesting to be furnished with a report as to the sanitary condition of the municipality in accordance therewith; and in reply beg to inform your Honor, by direction of the City Council, that the Council purposes appointing a Health Officer for the city immediately, and that that officer will be instructed as one of his first duties to prepare the report required by section 15 of " The Public Health Act, 1872." I have, &c, J. M. Masset, Town Clerk. His Honor the Superintendent, Chairman of the Central Board of Health, Dunedin. The Chairman, Local Board of Health, Alexandra, to the Chairman, Central :Board of Health, Dunedin. Sib, — Council Chambers, Alexandra, 7th November, 1874. In reply to yours of 20th October, 1874, requesting that a report be sent in to your Board on the sanitary condition of this town, I have great pleasure in reporting that the general health of the township of Alexandra is at the present time very good, nearly free from sickness of any kind. Infectious or other diseases have been absent for some time, and for the past four or five months only one case of any note occurred—namely, a case of acute rheumatism. lam happy to say the Council have taken every precaution to keep the place in a clean and healthy condition. I have, &c, James Samson, Chairman of the Local Board of Health. The Chairman of the Central Board of Health, Dunedin. The Town Clebk, Eoxburgh, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sib, — Municipal Council, Eoxburgh, 4th November, 1874. In reply to yours of the 20th October, re sanitary state of the Municipality of Eoxburgh, the Council have to report that the municipality has, for a considerable time past, been entirely free from any malignant or contagious disease until the past few weeks, when a party from Dunedin was attacked with measles, and several others in the same house have since been afflicted with the same disease, and have, with one exception, all recovered. Two slaughtering licenses have been granted by the Magistrate within the bounds of the town, and the Council fear that they will become an intolerable nuisance as the warm weather comes on. The water supply for the town is of the most defective and insufficient character, being scarcely suitable for domestic purposes. There are two good and plentiful sources of supply running through the municipality, but, owing to water rights having been granted for mining purposes, the town is entirely debarred from the advantage of such supply. There is no public vaccinator in this district, containing a population of 1,200 persons, and, although a.vaccinator was appointed some two years since, he has never visited the district, in consequence of which there are a number of children requiring vaccination at the present time. I have, &c, John M. Kinaston, The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunodin. Town Clerk. The CnAiRMAN, Local Board of Health, Oamaru, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sib, — Oamaru, 2nd November, 1874. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Central Board of Health, that the sanitary condition of the municipal town of Oamaru is satisfactory. I enclose a medical certificate to that effect. I have also the honor to state that the Corporation will shortly undertake the carrying out of a complete system of drainage and water supply. I have, &c, Samuel E. Shrimski, His Honor the Superintendent, Chairman of the Local Board of Health. Chairman of the Central Board of Health, Dunedin. J. P. Wait, Esq., M.E.C.S., to His Worship the Maxob, Oamaru. Sir,— Oamaru, 31st October, 1874. At your request, I have to report that the sanitary condition of Oamaru is in a satisfactory condition. The only epidemic in the town at present is measles, and I am glad to say they are of a mild type. I have, &c, His Worship the Mayor, Oamaru. J. F. Wait, M.E.C.S. His Worship the Mayor, West Hawkesbury, to His Honor the Soteeintendent, Dunedin. Sib, — Council Chambers, West Hawkesbury, 2nd November, 1874. I have the honor, in accordance with section 15 of the Public Health Act, to report for your information that the sanitary condition of the incorporated town of West Hawkesbury is highly satisfactory ; the only disease of any kind, so far as I have been able to ascertain, during the past year, that

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has broken out, being a few cases of measles, which, I am happy to state, have been of an inoffensive and very mild character. I may remark, however, that it is deemed essential to maintain the present satisfactory sanitary state of the town that the surface of the lagoon should be kept covered with water, so as to prevent the exposure of offensive and decomposed vegetable matter ; and, to secure this, the dam at its mouth should be kept in an efficient state of repair. I have, &c, Thomas S. Peatt, His Honor the Superintendent, Dunedin. Mayor. The Town Clebk, Palmerston, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sib, — Town Hall, Palmerston, 20th December, 1874. I have the honor, in reply to your letter referring to the sanitary state or condition of the municipal town of Palmerston, to inform you that the said town, from its geographical position, may at all times be considered in a healthy and satisfactory state ; that any nuisances that may at any time exist can only be the result of negligence, to obviate which every necessary precaution is being exercised by the Corporation from time to time by the appointment of Inspector of Nuisances, Sanitary Committees, &c. I have, &c, "Wm. Cobden, The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Town Clerk. The Town Cleek, Lawrence, to the Chaieman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sic, — Lawrence, 17th December, 1874. In accordance with your request to the Mayor that you should be supplied with a report as to the sanitary state of this town, I herewith enclose a report thereon by Alexander Stewart, Esq., M.D., who has been for nearly twelve years a resident here as Surgeon to the Hospital. I may mention, in reference to Dr. Stewart's remarks about water supply, that the Council has recently contracted for a further extension of the water mains over the more populous part of the town, and that the sewerage question is also receiving their attention. I have, &c, J. Macandrow, Esq., M.H.R., M.P.C., L. C. Holmes, Chairman of the Board of Health, Dunedin. Town Clerk. Alexandeb Stewaet, Esq., M.D., to the Matoe and Town Council, Lawrence. Gentlemen, — Lawrence, 23rd November, 1874. According with your request that I should furnish you with a report as to the sanitary condition of your town, I have to state that during my experience of nearly twelve years no cases of sickness of an epidemic type have occurred that could be traced to any agencies otherwise than natural. A few isolated cases of peculiar diseases have been presented, but those, I believe, have been independent of one another, and not caused by the same train of circumstances. The health of your town, so far as it can be related with sanitary efforts to keep it healthy, should not have been of the best description. There is no drainage at all within your municipality. I will begin with the most important streets (popularly so called) —viz., Peel Street and Eoss Place. In the former, from the highest part from which anything is discharged, no matter of what nature, there are no proper means of their not offending the smell and sight of those resident below them in altitude. These offensive uncovered matters, emitting effluvia of a not odoriferous character, discharge themselves into Ross Place, or as far as the channel, and do not lose power by the action of sun, heat, and exposure ; so that, to me, it has been for some years a wonder how your town, in connection with what I will further mention, has not become the seat of pestilence of some order. About the outside of your town the hospital discharges quantities of effete matter in a drain outside its grounds, carried for a distance of 100 yards, probably more, till it reaches a water channel. This channel winds through a large part of the township, the contents of which percolate through the soil. Some wells are dug, and for aught I know the water may be used for domestic purposes. At its source on a calm evening the aroma is everything but good, although the outlets for water which directly connect with the race until its discharge outside the grounds are regularly sluiced with water. In Whitehaven Street the sides of the channel are seldom if ever cleaned, the long abundant grass in certain times of the season completely covering the side channel, and, during the decay of this vegetable matter, emitting deadly poisonous vapours, which, if confined in sufficient space, and inhaled by people closely packed together, would tend to cause any epidemic disease. On the south side of Ross Place, from the want of drainage and consequent sluggishness of water, stenches are there felt sufficient to create a plague anywhere —in fact, a disgrace to the town, as almost any day a man may be seen sweeping filthy liquid matter along that would not otherwise find its way to the engineering exit. On the north side of Ross Place an embankment has lately been erected for the benefit of its inhabitants, but they seemingly, in most instances, have forgotten to allow through the wall an exit for any debris that they may have to discharge from their houses, thus retaining disease-producing material at their very doors, without an opportunity of freeing itself. Nothing so much tends to cleanliness and health as an abundant supply of pure clean water. This we unfortunately do not as yet possess. The rain water runs through zinc pipes and tubes, and is collected in tanks ; it must therefore necessarily be devoid of the chemical elements that are thought to be most healthful to the system.

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Pure water, employed in different ways, becomes a source not only of health, but of keeping a healthy person from becoming diseased. I would strongly recommend your Council to attend to this matter in the best way consistent with their means. The cess-pools (or water-closets) are not arranged in the best way. When water cannot be brought to bear, by far the best system is dry earth-closets, which are easily attended to and free from the obnoxious effluvium that often pertains in connection with these places. All stagnant pools of water should be removed wherever seen. All water channels meandering through long grasses, preventing the free running of streams, should be made to run as evenly as possible, in order that no power of propagating disease should be left in its nooks and corners. The building system in this township should be arranged that no person should leave an open space underneath his house in order to allow water to lodge there, and thereby communicate the germs of deadly disease. The extension and purity of your water system, and, more than that, the improvement of your system of drainage, is what will tend most to preserve your township in a salubrious state, and prevent what according to the ordinary laws of hygiene should have taken place some time ago—viz., an epidemic of some characteristic description. I would further strongly advise that no pigs or cattle (great or small) shall be reared or killed within the more settled portions of the township. Of course, you will see the reason for this is obvious. I have, &c, The Mayor and Town Council, Lawrence. Alexander Stewart, M.D. The Town Clerk, Arrowtown, to His Honor the Superintendent, Dunedin. Sin, — Arrowtown, 14th December, 1874. In compliance with your request by circular of the Central Board of Health, calling attention of the Local Board to section 15 of " The Public Health Act, 1872," this Council have the honor to report that at present the township of Arrowtown is in a healthy condition, there being no endemic or epidemic diseases: the general health of the residents may therefore be reported as good. The sanitary condition of the municipality is, from the situation of the township, not all that could be desired, but the Council are using their best endeavours in improving it, and hope shortly to make a more satisfactory statement in this respect. The comparatively short period during which the Municipal body has been in existence has not allowed them to do much in this direction, and also the bylaws not having yet been brought into operation ; but they are fully alive to the necessity of looking keenly after the hygiene of the town generally ; and imperfect supply of water is another difficulty under which we labour. Arrangements are now in progress with a mining company towards this, and the Council hope that, should they require the assistance of the Provincial Council next session, they will have it. I have, &c, Albert Evans, J. Macandrew, Esq., Superintendent. Town Clerk. The Chairman, Local Board of Health, Naseby, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sir, — Council Chambers, Naseby, oth November, 1874. In answer to your communication of the 28th ultimo, I have the honor to report that the present sanitary state of the town of Naseby is satisfactory; that no contagious diseases are or ever have been prevalent; that considerable improvement in drainage has been effected. It may be said as much has been done in one year as the funds of so young a municipality could well bear. It is, however, intended as soon as possible to perfect the drainage throughout the borough. The Local Board would be glad to be informed whether section 28 of the Public Health Act, or any other Act, gives power to any such Board to authorize the discharge of surface drains into main or other outlets granted for mining purposes, as some impediment is feared, from a desire on the part of some of the miners to levy a toll for the sake of asserting a priority of right. I have, &c, L. W. Busch, Chairman of the Local Board of Health, Naseby. The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. His Worship the Mayor, Clyde, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sir,— Clyde, 4th December, 1874. According to your request, asking me to send you a report as to the sanitary state of the town of Clyde, and for your information, I am happy to state that at present it is clean and healthy. The Clyde Council have a scavenger to clean the streets and attend to the water that flows on both sides of the main street; he also attends to watercourses in the back streets. Independent of him, every few weeks the Council engage a man with a horse and cart to go round the town and collect any rubbish that may have collected; but there is not much rubbish deposited now about the town. After the epidemic broke out at Cromwell I got the town properly cleaned, and those places where rubbish had been deposited I caused notice-boards to be erected prohibiting the inhabitants putting any more there, and it had the desired effect. I can safely state that every precaution has been taken with regard to health. For your information, I herewith enclose report from the Inspector of Nuisances; likewise a report from our local doctor, A. T. Thomson.

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Should you desire any further information in reference to this matter, I shall only be too happy to afford it to you. I haye, &c, Benjamin Tatloe, The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Mayor. Mr. A. T. Thomson, Clyde, to His Worship the Matoe, Clyde. Sib,— Clyde, 2nd December, 1874. By desire of your "Worship I made a general inspection of the township of Clyde, and have arrived at the following conclusions, viz.:— 1. That the township is at present healthy, as far as infectious or contagious diseases are concerned. There have been, and there are still, a few cases of colds, resulting from the very changeable weather—some of these of a croupy tendency. The epidemic of which I spoke in my letter to you has now quite disappeared. 2. That, although at present healthy, the township may at any moment assume an unhealthy nature, more especially if there should be any heavy rains, owing to a quantity of stable manure which is heaped up at the rear of premises; and especial attention is directed to a large quantity of such manure lying between Mr. Fache's residence and the Chinaman's garden (Kai Noon), intermixed with other refuse matter, as well as with carcases of animals and fowls. 3. Behind the Chinese store, a quantity of refuse has been deposited which ought to have been deposited in the usual depot, such deposits having a tendency to breed infection. 4. That the race at the back of the township is in anything but a clean condition ; and, as a considerable quantity of the water from the said race is used for domestic purposes, attention is therefore specially directed to its condition, as infectious and contagious diseases spread more rapidly and surely by this means (unclean water). 5. As a whole the township is clean, but could be more so if all deposits which are now lying about were removed to the proper place ; and all piggeries should be removed without the township, also skins of slaughtered animals, and other offals. 6. That a great deal of dirt and filth would be prevented from entering the race, if ducks and geese were prohibited from being reared in the township—at any rate—from being allowed to pollute the water. 7. The subsoil is well fitted for drainage, and as long as the surface is kept free from decomposing matter percolation will still continue to go on, and as long as such is the case we may depend on the good health of the town, but not otherwise. Should you desire any other information, not herein contained, I shall be happy to afford it to you. I have, <fee, His Worship the Mayor, Clyde. A. T. Thomson. The Inspectoe of Nuisances, Clyde, to His Worship the Matoe, Clyde. Sib,— Clyde, 27th October, 1874. In compliance with your request, I have the honor to submit for your information a report upon the sanitary condition of this town. The first object for consideration being, in my opinion, the water supply available for drinking and domestic purposes, I have the honor to state that water is brought into town from a race heading from Waikeirekeire Creek, which, flowing down on either side of the main street, amply supplies the town for all domestic purposes, and has in addition a most beneficial effect upon the atmosphere in the dry summer season, and the inhabitants utilize it in watering the streets and the fronts of their premises. This water is quite good enough for domestic purposes, though on some occasions it becomes foul by miners pouring their tail race-water into it, and this practice I now take the liberty of calling attention to, with a view to the discontinuance of such unlawful proceeding. Water for drinking is obtainable from two sources —namely, rain water collected in tanks, &c, with which nearly every house is supplied, and from springs near the river brink : this water is of the purest description so far as one can judge without analysis ; it is at all times cold and perfectly limpid. I am aware that some are of opinion that being so much below the town, that fears are entertained that it may receive pollution from cesspools, stable dung, &c.; but, in my opinion, these fears are groundless, as the filtration that must take place through the gravel bed, and the nature of the strata it has to pass through before such drainage would reach the spring water. The next point for consideration is the water-closets. I acknowledge that in certain conditions I would be in favour of the earth form of closet, but I am afraid the practice would not work well, as it would be impossible to keep up such a strict inspection as would insure cleanliness in their use ; people would neglect them after they were first introduced, and then the nuisance would become worse than ever. So that I would recommend a continuance of the cesspool system for this reason : that the nature of the soil is in itself a preventive, it being so porous that the fluid element is at once absorbed, and nothing remains but innocuous matter, provided always that the cesspools are properly emptied at regular intervals. There are four piggeries in Clyde, and, although they are kept clean, I would still recommend their being removed altogether, or to such a distance as would insure no baleful influence. There are two licensed slaughter yards in Clyde : this necessity is so acknowledged that I feel reluctant to recommend their removal to a distance, and, besides, I am bound to add that they have been kept remarkably clean as far as possible ; but it should be made an express stipulation for their maintenance that no skins should, on any account, be permitted to accumulate.

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No matter how closely premises may be inspected, offensive matter will collect through carelessness or want of means for its proper removal. I would suggest that a horse and cart should be sent round to each back place not less than twice a month for the collection and removal of all rubbish. In conclusion, I am of opinion that this town is at this moment in a fair sanitary condition, and I have found but little difficulty in being aided by the inhabitants in my efl'ort to produce these effects, and I would here point out in proof of this that, while most gold field towns were tainted more or less, Clyde has, as yet, under Providence, been free from any contagious or virulent diseases. W. Madigan, His Worship the Mayor, Clyde. Nuisance Inspector. The Town Clerk, Queenstown, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sib, — Queenstown, 11th November, 1874. In compliance with your request to be furnished with a report as to the sanitary condition of this town, I have the honor to state that there is little or no sickness prevalent. I am, &c, Philip B. Brett, The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Town Clerk. The Secretary, Local Board of Health, Cromwell, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sir, — Cromwell, 22nd May, 1875. The Board reports having made the half-yearly inspection of the town of Cromwell, and finds much pleasure in being able to give a favourable opinion of its sanitary condition. 1. They find that, with very few exceptions, premises and yards are in a satisfactory state, and those exceptional instances will be dealt with immediately. 2. They find a good supply of water in the Town Eace, sufficient for ordinary uses and apparently of good quality. 3. They cannot pass the subject of water without referring to the action taken by the Council to procure a permanent and suitable water supply by raising money on debentures, it being conclusive evidence on the part of the Council to place Cromwell in a superior position in that respect. 4. They find the earth-closet system to work satisfactorily, but they regret to learn that this expenditure absorbs almost the entire rates revenue of the Corporation, and has prevented the ordinary work of town improvement from being carried out. 5. The medical practitioners have been invited to furnish reports, which will be found attached hereto. 6. The establishment of one excellent hospital in the district is agreeable evidence of the willingness of the public to tax themselves for anything tending to lessen the consequences of disease, and we are pleased to know that there are no sufferers from sickness therein. 7. The Board, in conclusion, are pleased to report an evident sense of security in the town, a feeling which was rudely shaken about fifteen months past, but which the exertions of the Council in its sanitary measures have now completely restored. By order of the Local Board of Health. Charles Colclough, The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Secretary. Mr. Robert W. Stirling to the Secretary, Board of Health, Cromwell. Sib,— Cromwell, 2nd May, 1875. In compliance with your request, I have to inform you that within the last three months I have had under treatment six cases of typhoid fever (of a much milder type than characterized the epidemic last autumn) and one of facial erysipelas. In this, I have not included any cases brought in from the outlying districts. At the present time, the town seems free from diseases of any kind, the winter having apparently set in. I have, &c, The Secretary, Local Board of Health, Cromwell. Robert W. Stirling. The Town Clesk, Port Chalmers, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sir,— Town Hall, Port Chalmers, 14th November, 1874. I am instructed by his Worship the Mayor and Councillors on the Local Board of Health for Port Chalmers, in answer to your communication of the 20th ultimo, requesting a report as to the sanitary condition of our municipality, to submit to you the following report thereon, being the substance of a report, adopted by the Council, of a Committee to whom the matter was referred, viz.:— That, after full inquiry, examination, and consideration of the matter, the town is in a satisfactory condition as to health, cleanliness, and its general sanitary state. No epidemic, endemic, or contagious disease highly dangerous to the people, or any indication thereof, appears to exist, unless a very mild form of measles may be considered so ; and no medical practitioner has given notice to the Locai Board under clause 17 of " The Public Health Act, 1872," that any such does exist. It has, however, to be added that the want of water is felt by the inhabitants in some parts of the town—a want, however, which is likely soon to be remedied by the carrying out of the proposed waterworks scheme. I have, &c, John Laing, The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Town Clerk. 3—H. 22.

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The Town Clebk:, Port Chalmers, to the Ciiaieman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sib,— Town Hall, Port Chalmers, 6th January, 1575. I am instructed by his Worship the Mayor and Councillors, as the Local Board of Health for Port Chalmers, to forward to you a copy of a communication from Dr. Drysdale, of this place, forwarded by him to the Board in terms of clause 17 of " The Public Health Act, 1872," and to say that a Committee consisting of his Worship the Mayor, with Councillors Middleditch, Rose, and McKenzie, has been appointed "to watch over the town, and to confer with Dr. Drysdale on the matter, with power to act if necessary." I have, &c, John Laing, The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Town Clerk. John Deysdale, Esq., M.D., to his Worship the Matoe, as Chairman, Local Board of Health, Port Chalmers. Sic, — Port Chalmers, 4th January, 1875. In accordance with the terms of clause 17, " Public Health Act, 1872," I have the honor to inform you that a case of typhus fever, which has unfortunately terminated fatally, has occurred in Mary Street. Without positively asserting that the cause of the disease is to be ascribed to the locality, I may remark that I have always been of opinion that Mary Street, situated as it is directly over a gully into which flows all the drainage of the neighbourhood, is a most favourable spot for the outbreak or spread of an epidemic of this nature. I have, &c, His Worship the Mayor, Port Chalmers. John Detsdale, M.D. The Clebk to the Boaed, Invercargill Eoad District, to the Chaihman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sic, — Invercargill, 12th April, 1875. I herewith forward sanitary report of the Invercargill Eoad District by the Medical Officer appointed by the Board for that purpose. I have, &c, Lewis Longitet, Clerk to the Board. To J. Macandrew, Esq., Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. E. W. Toeath, Esq., M.E.C.S., to the Chaieman, Local Board of Health, Invercargill. Sic, — Invercargill, 6th April, 1875. At the desire of your Board, I furnish you a report of the sanitary state of your district. The difficulty experienced in districts of making arrangements which are necessary for the proper exercise of the Medical Officer of Health's duties, has proved all but insuperable. To the present moment, I believe that I am accurate in stating that in some of the most important of them the Medical Officer of Health does not receive any returns, either of mortality or sickness, for his several districts, and that he is practically dependent for information in these fundamental matters upon materials gleaned from the Inspector of Nuisances, so that, under these circumstances, the following sanitary report is not all that I should wish it to be: — I have much pleasure in stating that the sanitary state of your district is most satisfactory. There are at the present moment no diseases of either a contagious or infectious character existing. Typhoid fever, which arises from filth, bad drainage, or unwholesome water, is unknown; but that may be due not to the sanitary precautions of your Board, or inhabitants of the district, but rather to the paucity of population. There is one part of your district I should like to draw your attention to, where offensive drainage runs along the sides of the roadways, and lodges in disgusting pools anywhere, or, if it has a sufficiently long course, sinks into the earth, or gradually evaporates. In such a district, too great precautions cannot be taken, as it is every day getting more closely built upon. Under these circumstances, I should advise that no household refuse matter be allowed to accumulate about the premises as at present, and that every householder be compelled to have a connecting drain with the main, which a few have at present; and the main drain be covered in, and not open as at present. In conclusion, I would urge upon the Board the necessity of carrying out the following resolutions :— 1. The prevention of overcrowding. 2. The proper keeping of common lodging-houses. 3. The keeping of pigs and other animals, and the proper construction of the places in which they are slaughtered or kept. 4. The proper construction of new buildings intended for human occupation; the cleansing of privies, and the removal of refuse of all kinds. I must also state that I am very much pleased with the many great improvements that are going on, and the energy displayed by your Board in the matter of drainage, and I only hope, now that you have taken the matter up, that you will continue your exertions, and see that a proper system of drainage be carried out, as the health of your district mainly depends upon it. If not, a more terrible scourge than any you have been visited with will spring up in your midst—typhoid fever, which has no respect to persons : both rich and poor, young and old, suffer alike from its devastating effects. I have, &c, E. W. Toeatii, M.E.C.S. The Chairman, Invercargill District Local Board of Health.

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The Clerk to Boabd, Waipori Eoad District, to the Chaibman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sib, — Maungatua, 18th January, 1875. In reply to your letter of 15th November, 1874, re sanitary condition of Waipori Eoad District, I have been requested by the Chairman of the Board to state that at present there is no disease of any kind prevalent in the district. Measles made their appearance some time ago, but have entirely disappeared. The district in every other respect is perfectly healthy. I have, &c, James Sim, Clerk to Board. The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. The Chaibman, Pomahaka Eoad Board, Clifton, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sir, — Clifton, Waiwera, Bth January, 1875. In reply to your circular letter of the 14th November last, I have to report that the sanitary condition of the Pomahaka Eoad District is highly satisfactory. With the exception of measles, from which the children of several families in the district have been suffering, I am not aware of any noticeable sickness in the district. I have, &c, Philip Oaklet, Chairman of the Pomahaka Eoad Board. The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. The Chairman, Aparima Eoad Board, to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sic, — Flint's Bush, Invercargill, 12th January, 1875. I have been directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of date 13th November, 1874, addressed to the Chairman of this Board, enclosing copy of " The Public Health Act, 1872," and requesting that a report as to the sanitary condition of the Aparima Eoad District might be furnished to the Central Board. Section 15 of said Act, referred to, provides that the report is to be in " such form" as the Central Board shall from time to time direct. Be so good as to supply me with the " form" in which the report is to be made. I have, &c, James Fullaeton, Chairman, Aparima Eoad Board. The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. The Seceetary, Oreti Eoad Board, to the Pboyincial Secretary, Dunedin. Sic,— Oreti Eoad Board, 4th February, 1875. In reply to your circular requesting a report of the sanitary condition of this road district, I have the honor to state that the district is most healthful. I have, &c, D. T. Lawloe, The Provincial Secretary, Dunedin. Secretary. His Worship the Mayoe, Milton, to His Honor the Superintendent, Dunedin. Sir,— Milton, 24th February, 1875. I herewith send you our report from the Medical Inspector here; you will see it is rather favourable, and I think it is a very fair report. The nuisances he has pointed out have all been removed, so that we may say for the present, we are clean. I wish every town in the province could say the same. We are forming a fire brigade, which I think I will complete. We have now thirty fine young men, all enrolled, and captain and officers; and laws are passed and officers appointed. We are now purchasing an engine and hose. We had Captain Warne at our meeting last night, and he gave us the best of advice, so that I think we will soon have all things put to right. We will perhaps be enabled to get a water supply by-and-by, and then we will get a regular sewerage, s > that our health rate may get better. Mr. White is still getting on very well with the patterns. Tour visit did him a vast deal of good by bringing him into notice. Wo are still keeping busy in Tokomairiro. Long may it continue. Hoping this will find you well. I will look in and see you when I come to town. I am, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Dunedin. James G-oodall. Mr. Mcßean Stewaet, Medical Officer of Health, Milton, to His Worship the Mayor, Milton. Gentlemen, — In accordance with your request, I have examined the township, and have every reason to be satisfied with the state of matters disclosed by the inspection. Certainly, in some few instances, things are not as they should be. Appended is a list of the places where nuisances exist. I would advise that steps be taken to have the evils complained of remedied without loss of time, as they must be extremely offensive to those who live in the immediate neighbour-

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hood, and will ultimately become dangerous to the health of the community if allowed to continue. This naturally leads to a consideration of the question of water supply and sewerage, and the immediate or deferred necessity of having such works. There are a few drains about the town, but practically a system of drainage does not exist, The water supply is obtained from sunk wells, and a considerable number of houses have tanks for the collection of rain water. Keeping in view the above, we ask is there immediate danger to the health of the community ? That question is best answered by taking into consideration the place on which the township is at present laid out, and here we find that each house has a quarter of an acre of ground attached to it, thus preventing overcrowding and a consequent concentrated contamination of the earth and atmosphere. Earth is one of the most powerful and efficient disinfectants in nature; therefore, every householder is in possession of a great natural disinfectant and percolator, which will for a number of years prevent any danger which would otherwise be certain to arise from an accumulation of waste matter. I have no reason to suppose that the wells are impure. Therefore, lam of opinion that no uneasiness or alarm regarding the health of the people need be entertained at present, or that any serious danger is likely to crop up from the temporary want of a system of drainage or water supply. I do not write this with a view of persuading the Council there is no necessity for such a system ; on the contrary, I think there is, or rather the necessity will be soon seen if the town increases, and regular, closely built houses are erected; but 1 would deprecate the hasty adoption of any crude, illdigested, scheme, which must necessarily be unsatisfactory and insufficient. During the year, there have been registered 9 marriages, 10 deaths, and 55 births. In this, we have another test as to the healthiness of the town. Assuming the population to be 1,000, this gives a death rate of 1 per cent., thus comparing very favourably indeed with any part of the Home country, where deaths average from 2to 4 per cent. Of the deaths recorded in the township, 5 were under 5 years of age. Of 38 deaths recorded in the district of Tokomairiro, 18 were under 5 years of age. We have thus in the township a mortality of GO per cent., and in the district 47 per cent, of children under 5 years of age—a proportion very much in excess of that of the Home country. I attribute this heavy rate partly to the climatic changes, to the hurried manner in which houses are built of green timber, and the sites on which the houses are built being entirely undrained : the surface water collects under the house ; consequently there is always a damp vapour arising, highly prejudicial to the health of the inmates, and especially the children. We can easily understand this, when we know that there is no less than 11 degrees of heat difference between drained and undrained soil. I suspect that this heavy mortality among the children is not confined to this district, but that it is general throughout the Province of Otago. The Town Council have, in the sewerage question, a very difficult problem to solve, which will become more urgent as time passes. Meanwhile, I should advise them to communicate with the authorities of those places at Home where sewerage irrigation is to a certain extent carried out. I have, &c, Mcßean Stewaet, To the Mayor and Town Council of Milton. Medical Officer of Health. The Clekk to the Boabd, Crichton Road District) 1 to the Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Sib,— Lovel's Flat, sth May, 1875. I am directed by the Chairman, Crichton Eoad Board, to acknowledge the receipt of copy of " The Public Health Act, 1872," with circular attached asking information as to the health of the district. I am directed to inform you that the health of the district is in a satisfactory state, no disease of any kind being at present in the district. I have, &c, Alex. Nelson, The Chairman, Central Board of Health, Dunedin. Clerk to the Board. By Authority: Gxcmaii Didsecbt, Government Printer, Wellington.—lß7s. Price Is.]