H.—3l.

Te Puke. A slight outbreak of diphtheria was the chief item in this district necessitating attention. ROTORUA. Most of the boai'dingliouses and many private residences are now connected with the sewerage system. New by-laws have leen adopted which will meet all sanitary requirements. Hamilton. Considerable attention has been devoted to this district owing to the outbreak of enteric fever at the beginning of last year. It is satisfactory to note that there was no case of enteric fever from September, 1908, until the close of the departmental year. This town for the last seven months has been absolutely free from any infectious disease, in marked contrast to the previous year. Hamilton, Cambridge, Newcastle Riding, Ngaruawahia, Te Awamutu, Frankton, Tc Kuiti, and Taumarunui all take advantage of section 94 of " The Public Health Act, 1908," in subsidising one of our Inspectors as their local official. In my opinion this system has proved most satisfactory, as it secures efficient and regular inspection by an official who, whilst having authority under the Public Health Act as an Inspector, is still in close association with the local authority. Schools. Much less work has devolved on our Department in connection with schools during the past year, owing to the incidence of infectious disease having been much less than in the previous year. It is interesting to note that, whereas in 1907-8 there were granted 125 certificates as to absence of 10 per cent, or more of children of school-age on'account of infectious disease, during the past year only twelve have been required. From the following list it will be seen that none of the larger centres, including Auckland, have come within this category : — Quarter ending 31st March, 1908 : Paeroa District School, whooping-cough ; Whangaripo School, measles ; Mata and Ruahaka School, whooping-cough ; Tuakau School, whooping-cough ; Russell School, whooping-cough ; Mercury Bay, scarlet fever. Quarter ending 30th June, 1908 : Russell School, whooping-cough ; Whananaki School, whoopingcough and measles ; Komata School, whooping-cough ; Kawakawa School, whooping-cough ; Kaihu School, whooping-cough. Quarter ending 30th September, 1908 : Maraetai School, whooping-cough ; Ahuroa School, chickenpox ; Waiorongomai School, whooping-cough ; Drury School, chickenpox ; Matamata School, chickenpox and whooping-cough ; Taupiri School, whooping-cough and chickenpox Quarter ending 31st December, 1908 : Wellsford School, whooping-cough. In certain cases 'where diphtheria made its appearance —notably, at Whangarei, Horahora, and Te Puke —isolation was carried out, the schools disinfected and cleansed. The Auckland Education Board, in carrying out recommendations in this respect, has saved the necessity in any case of reverting to the closure of schools. Summary of Work done during the Year. Prosecutions under the Public Health and allied Acts. 7th August, 1908 : Inspector Grieve v. W. M. Breaches (three) of section 70, (2), and of section 46 of " The Public Health Act, 1900 " —letting a house without providing closet, and failing to remove nightsoil when ordered. Convicted, and fined £5, £1, £2, and £2 respectively in four cases : total, £10 (costs, £7 125.). 31st August, 1908 : Inspector Grieve v. S. and C. Breaches of " The Sale of Poisons Act, 1871," section 12 (laudanum). Fines—on information of failing to keep a poisons "register," £1 (£2 11s. costs) ; on charge of selling unlabelled poison, £1 (costs, £1 Bs.). By Inspector Bennett, on behalf of the local authorities for whom he acts. J. 8., Hamilton—dead horse in paddock: fine, 10s. (costs, £2 25.). A. G. P., Hamilton —fish-offal in fowl-yard: fine, 10s. (costs, 75.). H. H., Te Kuiti—billiard-saloon, dirty back premises: fine £2 (costs,'£2^3B.). Quackery Prevention. No prosecutions have taken place during the departmental year under the Quackery Prevention Act, but information has been collected, and certain persons and specifics have been under observation — e.g., herb specialists, dealers in appliances, and others. Several advertisements have been withdrawn from the Press since the Act came into force. In some cases, after representations by the Department, advertisements of alleged specifics were kept out by the Press-proprietors. Special Re-ports. Special reports have been presented on the following : Cleansing of schools ; registration of boardinghouses ; licensing and regulation of butchers' shops ; model milk regulations for boroughs ; sale of ice-cream ; stile-yards, Hamilton ; septic tank, Waihi; closing of cemeteries (St. Mark's, Remucra, and Symonds Street) ; infectious-diseases accommodation, Tauranga ; site of school, Edendale ; Pakatoa Island ; typhoid at Taupo and Tokaanu; incidence of tuberculosis in Auckland Province ; Whangarei drainage ; Te Aroha drainage ; and Taumarunui drainage.

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