H.—3l

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that the Borough Council will this year submit a loan proposal to the ratepayers for the carryingout of a drainage scheme. SUMNEB. The sewerage system of this borough was inspected during the year. This drainage scheme is one of those which certainly would not have been approved by the Department if the Department had been allowed to have any voice in the matter. The so-called septic tanks within the main streets of the town were found to be full of deposit. The sewers are not apparently laid at a grade so as to be self-cleansing, and the flushing arrangements are practically nil. Akaroa. The drainage scheme and septic tanks in this borough have been working very satisfactorily, and nearly all the houses in the borough are now connecter! with the sewers. Timaru. New by-laws dealing with house connections, plumbing-work, and general sanitation have been adopted in this borough, but so far steps have not been taken to enforce the observation of the details of these by-laws, consequently insanitary and dangerous plumbing and drainage work continues to be put in. The drainage scheme is again being brought before the ratepayers, and since the closing of the period with which this report deals the loan proposals have been approved by a large majority of ratepayers. Waimate. The water-supply in Waimate was brought into the borough early this year. The previously existing water-supply, consisting of old wells, was becoming very deficient, and it was a good thing for the borough that the works were so advanced as to be able to bring the water into the borough during the dry weather. As great doubt had been expressed about the quantity of water that would be available from Kelsey's Bush Creek during a dry season, it is satisfactory to state that, although this Department is not responsible for estimating or guaranteeing quantities, the supply in Kelsey's Bush Creek never caused the slightest alarm during the dry season. 0 AMARU. New by-laws have been adopted and have come into force. A complete nightsoil service serving every house in the borough is now in full working-order. More attention is also being paid to the removal of rubbish. A good many connections have been made with the existing sewers, the construction of which has generally been carried out under the supervision of Inspector Kershaw. It is to be hoped that a complete drainage scheme will soon be undertaken. H would, at all events, be good policy for the Council to get a report on a complete scheme from a competent engineer, so that all future extensions of the sewers will be made on a recognised plan, instead of on the somewhat haphazard system that prevails at present. INSPECTOR'S WORK. The appended reports show that a large amount of routine work was carried out during the year. The Exhibition caused a considerable amount of additional work for the Inspectors, and for three months Inspector Carlisle was attached to this office specially for inspecting the sanitation of the Exhibition and attending to the exhibit of the Health Department. Hugh E. Finch, M.8., D.P.H., District Health Officer. Dr. Finch, D.H.O. I have the honour to report as follows regarding work done during the year ending the 31st March, 1907: — Christchurch and District. The work done was of an ordinary character. As occasion permitted, inspection of fruit-sales and retail fruit-shops was carried out. A special report was prepared and submitted on the drainage arrangements from dwellings on the Cashmere Hills. Visits were also paid to Akaroa, and the plumbing and drainage work in progress in that borough was inspected, and found to have been carried out in a creditable manner. Timaru and District. Various matters arising in this district have been attended to during the year, and progress made to the extent of the adoption of good drainage and plumbing by-laws, which, however, have not yet been enforced, but no doubt soon will be. Oamaru and District. During the year I have supervised the laying and testing of house-drains, and inspected the sanitary plumbing-work done in this borough. All plumbers and drain-connectors doing work in the borough have been licensed, and the Council have adopted the suggestoin that in future a certificate of competency must be produced before a plumber's certificate will be issued. _ The character of the sanitary work done during the year has been good. As a result of an inspection of butchers' shops in this borough, great improvement has been made in the sanitary conditions in certain cases.