25

H.—3l

the water-supply—when from wells or springs—is in danger of pollution by the primitive arrangements of nightsoil or slop-water disposal in the majority of cases. Thorough and repeated inspection is needed as much in the back blocks as elsewhere, but under the present system neither the counties nor the Health Department have the necessary staff. The attention of the Government Inspector is chiefly confined to outbreaks of infectious diseases. Thames Borough has shown some improvement this year. A by-law, compelling the use o 1 the iron privy-pan, has been introduced, also a weekly service. The disposal of refuse, however* remains unsatisfactory, the tip being in a dangerous position. The drainage remains an unsolved problem, owing to the low-lying parts of the town. Much improvement might be effected in many of the water-tables, both as to structure and flushing. Four insanitary houses have been condemned. Waihi has not obtained a water-supply, and the question of drainage has yet to he dealt with; the by-laws recently passed only deal with nuisances. The nightsoil service and system of refuse-removal need amending. Rotorua. —Here the sanitary works —refuse-removal and the nightsoil service—which are in the hands of the Town Council, are thoroughly well done. The method of nightsoil-disposal is indeed the only satisfactory one in the province, and may well serve as a model for larger places. The secret of this is that it is done by the Council and not by contract. There are several sources of pollution of the present water-supply, and the pressure is inadequate. The proposed new supply will remedy these evils, Tauranga Borough has suffered, like Rotorua, from an outbreak of diarrhoea, especially among children; sixteen deaths occurring from this cause in six months. This, in a population of a thousand persons, shows an alarmingly high death-rate. Soil polluted by sewage is no doubt the chief source of the trouble. Recommendations to the Council as to improvements in the night-soil service, and the protection of the public wells, have not resulted in any action being taken. Opotiki Town Board have been making inquiries with a view of establishing a nightsoil service. The place is going ahead and will soon be in need of a water-supply and drainage system. The present drain-outfall in the shallow tidal creek is not desirable, and when a larger scheme is to be adopted some better method of disposal must be considered. Steps were taken during the year to compel the removal of several nuisances—an ill-kept cow-shed, cesspits, and so on. Te Aroha Borough Council have at last introduced a nightsoil service, not, however, with closed pans. The lack of drainage arrangements results in a series of danger-spots in some parts of the town. This urgently requires attention. The pollution of the river at the sewer-outfall remains, as the Council would not instal a septic tank. The matter may be small at present, but will gradually assume larger proportions if unchecked. The river-front adds so much to the charm of this pleasant little resort that the Council would do well to exert themselves to effect its conservation. Cambridge Borough.—The introduction of the water-supply has been effected during the year, and promises to prove a great success and convenience. It is to be regretted that the hotel-owners should not have been alive to the necessity of introducing the supply into their houses. In the greater part of the town the houses have a sufficient area round them to admit of disposal of sewage by means of septic tanks, and as this has already been done by one resident, it is to be hoped others will follow. In the lower parts of the town, however, drainage is required, as also for the hotels, in which the sanitary condition is not beyond criticism. A nightsoil service should be introduced, with by-laws for the prohibition of the present insanitary and filthy cesspits. I framed a series of such regulations as a suggestion for the Council. However, they have not adopted them. Hamilton Borough. —-Here, too, the water-supply is being pushed forward, and is approaching completion. The water is pumped from the Waikato to a storage reservoir, which will give a sufficient pressure all over the borough. The Council have obtained a report from their Engineer as to drainage of certain parts of the main street, where a very foul condition of things exists from accumulation of sewage-in ditches. The appearance of typhoid in Hamilton is a new feature, and one which should indicate the urgency of this work to the Council. A nightsoil service has not yet been adopted. The pollution of the river by the drainage of certain houses, and by the untidy habit of depositing there all the refuse of the borough, is to be condemned. Here, as in Te Aroha, the conservation of the riverfront is desirable from an aesthetic as well as a sanitary point of view. Whangarei Borough has seriously taken in hand the question of drainage, which presents certain obstacles owing to the low levels of part of the town. The enterprise of the Council in this matter is to be applauded. Paeroa Township has a good water-supply, but the question of drainage is one which is likely to compel attention. At Karangahake the nightsoil service has not yet been introduced. Helensville has been the centre of several outbreaks of typhoid. Its sanitary condition is very bad in every respect. Kawakawa suffered from a severe outbreak of scarlet fever. The sanitary condition as regards drainage and nightsoil-disposal was shockingly bad. Huntly. —Action was taken in regard to cesspits and certain houses unprovided with privies. There is a danger here from pollution of the Waikato, from which many houses draw their supply. 4—H. 31.