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theria, I may mention an outbreak of the former —fortunately limited to three cases—which arose in consequence of lack of drainage facilities in a group of outlying houses in Newtown, one of which was used in a small way as a dairy. There is no doubt that in this case the milk was the cause of spreading the disease. There is a diminution in the cases of enteric and diphtheria this year, but the latter disease is too prevalent yet to enable one to be sanguine as to the prospect of stamping it out. It is disappointing, too, to find that it is in the central parts of the city, where drainage is good, that the majority of cases arise. We have been unable to connect it with the milk-supply, and, as before, 1 am inclined to blame defective refuse-removal and insanitary stables. Much trouble has arisen in the latter connection over a manure-heap in the Asylum grounds, which was a source of annoyance in the view of the neighbours. lam inclined to believe that the trouble was more the carting of the manure from various stables to this heap, which itself was a reasonable distance away from habitations. However, the Asylum authorities have decided to remove any possibility of causing annoyance, and will shortly arrange for the disposal of the manure in a position where, with no stretch of imagination, could it be regarded as a nuisance. It is with regret we have to record a recrudescence of scarlet fever at the end of the present year. This, however, cannot be attributed to insanitary surroundings, although, of course, overcrowding has an influence on its spread. This question of overcrowding remains the principal sanitary problem in the city, and it is a matter for speculation how far the encouragement to build on every available area, given by the system of rating, counterbalances any possible advantage such a system possesses. I cannot subscribe to the complacent attitude of Mr. Doyle, Chief Corporation Inspector, on the question of slums, the existence of which he denies. Certainly we do not possess slums such as are found in some of the cities of the Old World, but the elements are present —collections of degraded buildings, too cramped together for this country and climate, and too crowded inside to make for the hygienic welfare of the inhabitants. The overcrowding inside the houses is an outcome of high rents, and the provision of cheap dwellings must be regarded as Wellington's most pressing need. The Government workers' homes do not supply the remedy, the rents being comparatively high, and the number of dwellings a mere drop in the bucket. In considering the remedy one cannot but ponder over the fact that the waste land, known as the Town Belt, offers suitable sites for many hundreds of workers' homes, in positions which at present are of no value as recreation-grounds, and are of no public utility. The belt was set aside as a public asset for health and recreation. How better could it serve the former object than by diverting such useless parts of it to the relief of the congestion from which the city suffers, especially if in so doing the Council were to secure for ever}' acre of this reserve so alienated a like area in other positions which could be utilised as playgrounds? To the Town Clerk and City Engineer and their respective staffs I must once more offer my grateful thanks for their kindly courtesy and co-operation during the year. Wellington Suburbs. The suburban borougha have been wonderfully free from infectious disease, and there is little to record beyond my remarks in last year's report. Wadestown. —In the addition of Wadestown to the city, a solution is being found to the sanitary troubles of that district. Already arrangements have been made for the much-needed nightsoil service, and shortly the Goldie's Brae area will be connected to the city sewers. Karori. Here there has been no advancement in the matter of drainage. Possibly the increase of population, which the introduction of the tram-service must bring, will force the subject on the attention of the Council. Miramar has so far withstood the influence which would repeal the salutary by-law limiting the number of houses per acre to four. Shortly the population will be sufficient to enable water and drainage to be introduced, when the building-area can be reduced, although even then it would be desirable to keep a reasonably high limitation if the borough is to retain its salubrious reputation. At Lower flutt the drainage scheme is developing. At Petone a scheme for complete drainage is being considered. Certainly the population of the borough demands something better than a partial slop-water service. Improvements in the water-supply are being effected. Rural Boroughs. The majority of the country boroughs have now been provided with a good high-pressure water-supply, and the beginning of a modern sewerage system. Matterton.— As already noted, Masterton has had the misfortune to suffer from a severe outbreak of scarlet fever. This cannot be laid against its sanitary condition, however, which in the sewered parts of the town is good. One beneficial effect has been to hasten on the provision of a hospital for infectious cases. A very extensive scheme for enlarging the drainage system has been drawn up, by which the low lying districts will be sewered also, and its adoption will be a great boon to the town. It entails a large expenditure and a long length of main sewer to get a suitable outfall j but the