H.—3l.

Drainage. —The water-race acts as a drain for a good many houses. The houses on the opposite side discharge their household wastes into a wooden drain at the back of the premises, where there is a right-of-way known as " Smelly Lane." This drain is partly constructed of wood and partly of earthenware pipes. Moor-house Street is also receiving household waste waters into its wooden water-channel, which discharges the same into an open ditch about 30 chains down the street. I attended the meeting of the Ross Borough Council, and pointed out the evils of such surroundings, and the Councillors at that time were anxious that something should be done. The remedies are simple: (1.) Each house has enough ground to dispose of its own waste waters, and this would remedy the evil of making the water-tables open sewers. (2.) Privy-pans could be adopted, and a night-soil collection arranged weekly. (3.) A rubbish-collection service should also be arranged. Water-supply. —The town has a water-supply which is mostly used for household purposes other than drinking, water for the latter purpose being caught in tanks from the roof of each dwelling. Brunnerton. The sanitary conditions here are rather antiquated, and it would appear as though a good portion of the rubbish finds its way into the Grey River. The local authority is not strong enough financially to undertake an expensive scheme of drainage, and people can only be advised to do the best for themselves in getting rid of their waste waters, night-soil, &c. Reef ton. Water-supply. —This is brought from a creek about two miles beyond the town in an open water-race constructed, of wood to a reservoir which is situated at the head of the township. The said water-race is dilapidated, and the interior is partially filled with moss and debris. The Council are providing means for another supply on a more substantial basis. This water is used for all purposes, but many people prefer to catch and store roof-water in preference for drinking purposes. Swimming-baths have recently been erected, and should prove a boon to the Reef ton community. Drainage. —A large portion of this township has a drainage scheme which is only partially laid on modern lines; yet, at the same time, it fulfils its purpose. The most elevated part of the system has an intake from the river, which is used for flushing purposes at intervals. The outlet of the sewer discharges into the river direct without any treatment whatever, as the said river is proclaimed a sludge-channel. There are no intercepting traps to the system, and there are no ventpipes, except the anti-siphon pipe to each W.C. There is very little or no smell about the system, as the sluice-valve at the head of the sewer can be regulated to let any desired quantity of water through at any time, so that for most of the time the anti-siphon pipes are acting as inlets, and there is no chance of a smell accumulating. Reefton is fortunate in being so situated to be able to install a drainage scheme with every advantage and economy. Denniston. This is a coal-mining district situated about twelve miles from Westport, and at an elevation of 2,000 ft. above sea-level. Huts and houses are huddled together on terraces one above another. Proper privy-accommodation is not known, the method of disposal being either to deposit over a seat into a drain which runs along the surface of the rock, or to use a kerosene-tin and, when full, dump it into a creek, a hollow, a neighbour's yard, or anywhere within easy reach. Some of the occupiers, however, have decent surroundings, but these are few. The Buller County Council have commenced to make provision for a collection and disposal of night-soil and rubbish; then we can expect to see a big sanitary improvement, which will be much welcomed by those residents in the lower streets who receive their neighbour's rubbish from heights above. Millerton. This place is similarly situated to Denniston as regards its sanitary condition—that is to say, that each place has been terribly neglected ever since they were townships. Millerton is better situated than Denniston for sanitary purposes, it having a decent depth of soil over a good portion of the township. Nothing has yet been commenced here with regard to improving matters, either by the Buller County Council or the Westport Coal Company. E. Middleton, Inspector. Dr. Mason, Chief Health Officer, Wellington. PART H.—REPORT BY DR. POMARE ON SANITARY CONDITIONS OF THE MAORI a Ist June, 1909. In times past the Maori was active in every way. He had to live a strenuous life, to make himself physically fit for all eventualities. His eye had to be open to watch for the coming of the foe' his arm had to be in good practice with the iaiaha or mere. He was his own beast of burden. Everything that went to the pas, which were situated on the hill-tops, had to be carried there on his shoulders. Hunting, fishing, constant work in hewing out canoes, carving, cultivating the soil, military tactics, and war-dances entered greatly into his daily regime. And then, to keep his

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