EL—2,

12

Sewage. In regard to the method of sewage-disposal, the earth-closet system at present in use, though far inferior to a proper water-carriage system, is by no means necessarily an insanitary one, and it is most efficiently carried out by the Town Council as far as it is in their power to do so ; but there are certain special difficulties in the way of carrying it out thoroughly in Eotorua. In many parts of the town " earth "is so scarce that the closets are earth closets only in name. The silica crust crops up so near the surface that there is no earth available for sprinkling in the closets. This difficulty can be overcome by the use of ashes and carbolic powder, and if this were strictly enforced there would be no nuisance. Watee-supply. In regard to the water-supply, while it would be far better to obtain a purer source, I by no means take a pessimistic view of the present supply. A large part of London is supplied by the foul water of the Thames, which has been rendered innocuous by filtration. The Puarenga is, of course, infinitely cleaner than the Thames, and it should not be an expensive matter to construct pumice filters at the settling-tank, while the banks of the stream might be policed where it passes through Maori property. I offer this suggestion as an alternative should the larger scheme prove so expensive as to be impracticable, but it is, of course, a very inferior alternative. Guide-book. I propose to write a handbook which shall give all possible information in regard to the mineral waters of New Zealand, which I trust will be of use not only to the general public but to medical men who may be desirous of sending patients to one of our numerous health resorts. Already a large number are thus sent from Home and from the various colonies, and I feel sure that as our bathing-appliances are improved and our spas become better known the number will steadily increase. The chapter dealing with Eotorua is nearly finished. I hope that the section descriptive of the baths will need considerable alteration and revision within the next year or two, and that analyses of further springs will be added from year to year. In addition, many of the principal thermal centres of the North Island have been lightly touched on. A more thorough and scientific report of all these spas will follow as soon as possible. In conclusion, I would express my sincere conviction that in her thermal springs New Zealand has a valuable asset, how valuable I think is scarcely yet realised, and to obtain even a fraction of the full value of this property the country must be prepared to spend, and at first to spend fairly freely. The money will be returned with heavy interest. I have, &c, Arthur S. Wohlmann, Government Balneologist. The Superintendent, Department of Tourist and Health Besorts, Wellington.

APPENDIX 11. EEPOET OF THE EESIDENT MEDICAL OFFICES AT TE AEOHA. Sib, — Government Domain, Te Aroha, 30th May, 1903. 1 have the honour to submit my annual report for the year ending the 31st March, 1903 :— 1. Works completed during the Year. (a.) No. 4 Bath; warm plunge; for children (12 ft. long, 9 ft. 10 in. broad, 3 ft. deep; mean temperature, 86° Fahr.). —A new building, costing £104, freshly painted within and without, replaces the old one, and where everything before was dark, dingy, and dilapidated, everything now is bright, clean, and inviting. At one time this bath had a temperature of 92° Fahr., but this has fallen to 86°. Many children use this bath, especially on Saturdays, but I feel sure that it would be much more largely patronised if the bath was hotter. It would be an easy matter to secure this if we only had a larger supply of hot water to draw from. At present this bath receives its supply from two small springs situated immediately outside the bath-building, from which the water is conveyed in iron pipes coated with asbestos and bedded in concrete. (b.) No. 6 Bath ; warm plunge; for man only (16 ft. long, 14 ft. wide, 3 ft. 10 in. deep; mean temperature, 93° Fahr. J. —The interior of this bath has been greatly improved by painting, which now makes it look clean and tidy. The only alteration I recommend here is to extend to the distance of about 3 ft. the partition which shuts off the cold shower, so as to prevent the splash from affecting a large portion of the floor of the room. (Estimated cost, 7s. 6d.)