H.—3l.

Medical Examinations. One person was examined for another Government and nine persons for admission to Cambridge Sanatorium. Inspector's Work. The appended report shows the nature of the routine work that has been carried out during the year : — Infectious cases investigated .. .. .. .. .. .. 264 Disinfections .. .. .. .. .. .. 83 Premises inspected .. .. .. .. .. •■ ..511 Milk-shops inspected .. .. .. .. .. .. 41 Offensive-trade inspections .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 Drainage inspections .. .. .. .. .. .. 74 Complaints investigated .. .. .. .. .. .. 108 Requisitions served and complied with .. .. .. .. 31 Milk-samples taken .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 197 Water-samples taken .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 Other samples taken'; .. .. .. .. .. .. 39 Food-shops inspected .. .. .. .. .. .. ■ • 106 Hotels and boardinghouses inspected .. .. .. .. 58 Schools inspected .. .. .. • • • ■ • • .. 19 Plumbing and Drainage Classes. Classes in these subjects were held by Inspector Kershaw during the year in Timaru, the drainage class especially being well attended. Examinations were held, and a fair proportion of candidates successfully passed the tests. In Oamaru a plumbing class was conducted for one quarter, but, owing to the lack of support, had to be discontinued. I have, &c, H. E. Finch, Dr. Mason, Chief Health Officer, Wellington. District Health Officer. PART E.—OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND DISTRICT. Sir, Department of jPublic Health, Dunedin, 14th June, 1909. I have now the to send you my report on the work of sanitation in my district during the year ended the 31st March, 1909. I personally have visited practically all the places of any importance in my district during the twelve months, and my Inspectors have paid visits to all the others, so that no part of my district has this year gone without attention. Though no striking event has occurred in my district, no epidemic having gained head during the year, the minor duties requiring attention have been many and not unimportant, and I venture to state that this part of the Dominion is progressing in sanitary matters, and that the local authorities are appreciating our efforts, and seconding them in a mode that is satisfactory and promising for the future. My staff has worked well, showing zeal in their duties, and with their assistance, many sanitary improvements have been effected, which have fully occupied their time. Legal Actions. Legal proceedings were undertaken in the following cases : — Against a laundryman for continuing to occupy a condemned building at Bluff. The Court ordered him to vacate the premises within seven days. Against M. C, for concealing the existence of scarlet fever at Makarewa. Penalised, £2 2s. Against W. H. X., of South Invercargill, for concealing the existence of scarlet fever. Penalised, £1 18s. Of an unregistered midwife at Alexandra. Successful. i Ruinous Habitations. I have inspected some 64 old houses, of which 30 were ordered to be pulled down as being past repair, and 34 were ordered to be repaired. These were situated as follows : — Pulled Down. Repaired. Dunedin City .. .. .. .. •• -.15 27 North-east Valley .. . . .. .. •. .. 1 1 St. Kilda .. .. .. • • • • • • 1 1 Invercargill .. .. • ■ • • • • .. 1 1 Port Chalmers .. .. .. • • • • .. 1 Palmerston South and neighbourhood .. .. .. 1 1 Lawrence .. . .. • • • • .. 4 Waitahuna .. .. • • • • • • .... 1 i : Edendale .. .. .. .. • • • ■ .. 5 1 Near Mataura .. .. .. • • • ■ .. 1

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