31

H.—3l.

abandonment of the present defective treatment-beds is much to be desired, as there is evidence of serious pollution of the river by the effluent. The appointment of an Inspector, partly under this Department, is noted elsewhere. (Jarterton. —The drainage system and tank are complete and in working-order, the result being so far encouraging. When a greater proportion of the houses are connected up an even better result may be anticipated. Greytown has not yet been able to attain to a water-supply, but this doubtless will soon come. Eketahuna is now a borough, and already the Council is taking advantage of its new powers to inaugurate drainage for the hotels and other parts of the town where it is most needed. This would have been done sooner but for the delay in obtaining the necessary funds, which were not available while the town was still under the Town Districts Act. At Pahiatua the drainage system is now in operation. Some complaint has been made as to the working of the septic tank, which is perhaps not in as isolated a position as might be desired, but analysis failed to show serious pollution of the stream into which it discharges. Levin is now a borough, and the Council has established a good nightsoil service. There is much need for a water-service and a sewerage system, as there are already congested areas in this township, which do not lend themselves to the more primitive sanitary methods. The use of shallow wells here is certainly dangerous. . Palmerston North.—An analysis of the water-supply here showed that it was satisfactory. There has been much delay as regards completing the drainage scheme, owing to financial troubles, but the work—which is very costly, owing to the depth necessary for the sewers and the amount of ground-water met with—is now steadily progressing. The septic tank has given as much satisfaction as could be expected where the sewage is diluted by a great excess of ground, water and waste from engines, &c. As the sewage grows stronger more uniform results may be obtained. Some trouble has been occasioned by the boiling-down works in connection with the abattoirs. This probably can be easily remedied by the provision of scrubbers to deodorise the vapour from the digester. Feliding is extending its drainage system. The tank is said to be working well, but I have not had an opportunity of inspecting it. Marton remains vn statu quo. It is perhaps the least progressive of all the towns in the Wellington District. Drainage is required, and better supervision of back yards, and so forth. The railway-station septic tank has been completed, and has worked well so far. Wanganui. —The Borough Council is, I trust, at last seriously taking up the question of systematic refuse-removal, on which subject I furnished it with a detailed report. Under Inspector Sargeant's ever-watchful eye many improvements have been effected in the condition of various premises, and a fair number of ruinous houses have been removed, though in this matter more vigour might have been shown by the Council. The drainage of Durietown, Aramoho, and St. John's Hill is a matter requiring attention. These suburbs might well be taken into the borough, and a " Greater Wanganui " formed, which would be a satisfactory solution of most of the present difficulties at these places. The filtration of the Okehu water-supply has not yet been attended to, the Council considering that the use of Virginia Lake as a settling-pond was sufficient. Analysis made after heavy rain, however, does not bear this out, in addition to which Virginia Lake is so situated as to be liable to pollution by drainage from the main road, and therefore should not be used as a source of supply. ■ Hawera being somewhat too distant to be included in Inspector Gardiner's district, it was arranged that the local Inspector, Mr. Macpherson, be permitted to act on behalf of the Department, a subsidy being paid to the Council for his services. Reform in the matter of plumbing by-laws is required here. Eltham, Stratford, and Ingle-wood are in a satisfactory condition. The drainage system at the latter place is now complete, and many houses are connected. Stricter building by-laws are required. Waitara. —Some efforts have been made to secure a water-supply. There are certain objeciions to the one proposed, but possibly these can be removed. New Plymouth has been very free from infectious disease this year. The septic tank discharging into the stream has not given any great offence, but much depends on the continuous flow of water. Were it to get so low as to expose the end of the outfall, objectionable odours would certainly arise. Town Districts. Nothing worthy of note has arisen at any of these places. Martinborough shows a general improvement in sanitary condition since the nightsoil service was installed. At Kaponga, unfortunately, no one could be found willing to undertake the nightsoil service, and, being'a town district, the borrowing-powers of which are limited, some difficulty arises as to obtaining the money necessary for a water-supply and sewerage system. The hotel, which was the source of the typhoid outbreaks here, is to be replaced by a more satisfactory structure.