H.—3l.

Disinfection of library books. The problem of the municipal control of the supply of household milk for the City of Well' lington.* Summary of Office-work. Again there is a marked increase in the office-work as compared with past years:— Letters written .. .. . . .. .. .. . . 4,421 Circulars sent .. .. .. . . . . .. .. 255 Requisitions served on— Local authorities . . .. . . .. . . . . 215 Individuals .. .. .. . . . . .. . . 47 Via Factory Inspector .. .. . . .. .. .. 2 ~ Licensing Bench . . . . . . . . .. .. 79 On other Departments .. .. . . .. .. . . 12 Applications for admission to sanatorium .. .. .. .. 27 Condemnation certificates issued . . .. .. .. .. 61 Prosecutions .. . . .. . . .. . . .. 17 In compiling this report I have endeavoured to adhere to a summary form as much as possible. The data given above, in conjunction with the monthly reports duly placed before you, will be a sufficient indication of the increased work in this district during the past year. I have, &c, i Jos. P. Frengley, M.D., F.R.C.5.1., D.P.H., District Health Officer. J. M. Mason, Esq., M.D., Chief Health Officer, Wellington. PART D.—CANTERBURY DISTRICT. Sir, — Christchurch, Ist June, 1909. I have the honour to submit to you the annual report in the general sanitation of the Canterbury Health District for the year ending 31st March, 1909. Christchurch. Water-supply.- —Good progress has been made with the high-pressure water-supply during the year. The reservoir has been completed, the pumping plant installed, and the reticulation of the Central Ward has been finished. It is expected that the reticulation of the St. Albans and Linwood Wards will be completed during the present year. Drainage. —A large amount of work which was begun last year has been completed during the year. A new pumping plant worked by suction gas has been installed ; an area of 42 acres has been added to the sewage farm, and a second main 27 in. in diameter has been laid from the pumping-station to the farm. About 2t miles of new sewers have been laid, and the total mileage of the sewers in Christchurch is now about 80 miles. There are now 6,636 houses connected with the sewers, of which 3,751 contain water-closets. During the year 749 houses were connected with the sewer, 630 of which contain water-closets, and altogether 894 new water-closets have been installed. The increase in the number of house connections and water-closets that began last year has been fairly well maintained. Concrete inverts have been put in Jackson's Creek, Opawa, and in Bell's Creek, Linwood. [§] Sanitary Conveniences. —Three up-to-date underground sanitary conveniences have been erected, at the cost of about £4,600. Steam Disinfector. —The city is still without any efficient means for carrying out disinfection. If a dangerous infectious disease was to again break out, a large amount of property would have to be destroyed instead of being disinfected, and compensation paid. If, again, the next epidemic of scarlet fever was of a more virulent type the spread of the disease could not really be controlled without some more efficient means of carrying out disinfection. Christchurch Suburbs. A considerable amount of building has been carried out in the suburbs outside Christchurch City during the last five years. The local authorities are taking little or no steps to improve the detailed sanitary administration of their districts, which is rendered necessary by closer settlement. No proper officers are appointed to carry out disinfection or routine inspection. This Department cannot continue to give sufficient attention to these districts with its existing staff, and these local bodies should combine to pay the salary of a properly qualified Inspector. Rangiora. The Borough Council are considering the installation of a high-pressure water-supply. The proposed source is from collecting-grounds in the Ashley river-bed. By collecting the water in the river-bed instead of obtaining it from the river direct, the water will always pass through a large amount of shingle before being collected, and will not be affected by floods.

* Dr. Frengley's report on the municipal control of the milk-supply has been printed in pamphlet form for issue as a departmental report. Copies may be obtained at the Head Office, Health Department, Wellington.

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