H.—3l.

Session 11. 1906. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (REPORT OF THE), BY THE CHIEF HEALTH OFFICER.

Presented to both Houses~of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

My Lord,— Public Health Office, Wellington, Ist August, 1906. I have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the sixth annual report of the Chief Health Officer of the colony, and as it is the last one I will have the pleasure of making, I desire to say that the creation of the Public Health Department by me has more than justified its existence, and under the able guidance of the Chief Health Officer and his assistants has completely changed for the better the public health conditions under which our colonists live. I have the honour to be Your Lordship's most obedient servant, J. G. Ward, Minister of Public Health. His Excellency of New Zealand. The Chief Health Officer for the Colony to the Honourable the Minister of Public Health. Sir, — Department of Public Health, Wellington, Ist August, 1906. During the past year I am glad to say no serious epidemic of any kind has occurred in the colony. The general health, from a preventive-medicine point of view, has been good. An attack of diphtheria in July of last year, with subsequent sick-leave which you were good enough to grant me, cast the burden of managing the Department upon the shoulders of Dr. Valintine, Assistant Chief Health Officer. During my absence in Britain and the Continent you have had ample opportuinty of assessing the skill and zeal with which he conducted his work. Nothing I can say can increase the value of the impression which this close intercommunication made, but I wish to record my gratefulness to him for the way in which he performed his onerous duties. The several officers in their varying capacities have done excellent work, and if I mention Dr. Makgill specially it can occasion no suggestion of invidious praise. Situated as he is at the Head Office he has been required to undertake in addition to his onerous duties as Bacteriologist to the Department and Vaccine Superintendent a large amount of administrative work, which does not fall to the lot of the District Health Officers in their several districts. I would draw your attention, however, to the value of the work he has done with respect to the bacteriological examination of water-supplies all over the colony, in addition to his work with respect to reporting on the many pathological specimens which are submitted to the Department. The colony is fortunate in that it has as Analysts men of the highest scientific attainments, but I would like to draw your attention more particularly to Dr. Maclaurin, who, in addition to hia work as Analyst for the Wellington District, has helped me greatly on other than local questions. With respect to the clerical staff,-1 wish to record my entire satisfaction with the way in which the Chief Clerk, Mr. Grix, has done his work. His under-officers are happy and contented, and lam convinced that no Department offers less cause for complaint to the public as regards despatch, courtesy, or skill than does the Health Department. No better tribute as to Mr. Grix's control could be offered. i—H. 31.