H.—s

3

there has been no matter or subject of complaint brought under the notice of the Board, or anything which required any intervention on its part whatever. I have, Ac, Joseph Augustus Tole, Chairman, Ponsonby and, or Dedwood Local The Secretary of the Central Board of Health, Board of Health. Auckland.

4.—Gbafton Eoad. Grafton Eoad Local Board of Health Office, Sic,— Auckland, 31st May, 1876. I am instructed by tho Chairman of the Grafton Eoad Local Board of Health to acknowledge the receipt of your circular of the 15th instant, asking for a report upon the health, cleanliness, and general sanitary state of this district. In reply, I am directed to inform you that the district is well drained and clean, and that good health prevails among the inhabitants. I have, Ac, Vincent E. Eice, Esq., H. Ashton, Secretary, Secretary, Central Board of Health. Grafton Eoad Local Board of Health.

5. —Newmabket. Sic,— Newmarket Highway District, 17th May, 1876. I have to acknowledge your Circular 243, dated 15th instant, calling* my attention to section 15 of " The Public Health Act, 1872." In reply, I have to state that the health of this district is generally good, and, so far as I am aware, it is free from any contagious or infectious diseases. Its cleanliness and general sanitary state, with two exceptions stated below, is also in good condition. The smell from the slaughter-house is occasionally very strong, and a source of much annoyance to the residents. The refuse which passes through the creek under Hobson's Bridge has also been a source of complaint by the inhabitants in that part of the district; it appears to be decayed vegetable matter from the breweries, and the smell is very offensive. I have, Ac., John McNeill, The Secretary, Board of Health, Auckland. Chairman.

6. —Epsom. Sic,— Auckland, 26th May, 1876. In answer to yours, dated 15th instant, requesting a concise report as to the health Ac. of our district, I beg to inform you — 1. That the health of the district is excellent. 2. That each house is a model of cleanliness. 3. That the general sanitary state of the district could not materially be improved. I am, &c, Vincent E. Eice, Esq., Geo. H. Lavees, Secretary, Central Board of Health. Secretary of Epsom Highway Board.

7. —Mount Eden. Sic,— Mount Eden, 31st May, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, relative to the general sanitary state of the district, and in reply have to say the district is in a clean and healthy state. But I would beg to call the attention of the Central Board of Health to a boiling-down establishment in the Mount Albert District, which is a great annoyance to residents in the western portion of this district. I have, Ac., John Peobeet, Vincent E. Bice, Esq. Chairman.

8. —BOEOUGH OP THE THAMES. Sib — Office, Thames Local Board of Health, 20th May, 1876. I have the honor to enclose report as asked for under section 15 of " The Public Health Act, 1872." From what I see reported in the public Press as having fallen from his Worship the Mayor of Auckland, I am led to think that, if my view of the law be correct, he labours under a misapprehension as to the powers vested iv this Board; and as his views may be shared by the Central Board, I take the liberty of expressing the opinion shared by this Board of its position and powers relative to measures tor the checking of contagious and infectious diseases. By section 23 of "The Public Health Act, 1872," the Local Board, apart from the Central Board, have certain inherent powers of action " when a disease dangerous to the public health breaks out in their district " —their powers being, (a) to provide place of reception for sick and infected ; (b) to make regulation for conduct of such place; (c) to cause sick and infected to be removed thereto, with consent of invalid, or parent &c. of such invalid; (_d) if the condition of the invalid be such as not to admit of