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Woolston Borough. —The condition of the Heathcote River owing to the discharge of trade wastes was brought under my notice by the Council, which have certainly grossly polluted what was once, I understand, a clear stream. The matter has been referred to the Drainage Board, who now have control of this river, with a view to establishing standards for trade wastes discharged therein. Condemnation notices were served with regard to two old premises. These, however, are still standing, though they are now in such a condition as to there being no chance of their being inhabited. Ashburton Borough. —No progress has been made with regarel to the propcseel sewerage scheme for this borough. This work is badly needed to replace the existing pan system in the more densely populated portion of the town, where some nuisance has been caused by this system. Permits have been given for the erection of two septic tanks in the borough, but it is not desirable that many of these installations should be put in, and the permits for these two were only given after very careful consideration. Ashburton County. —The sanitary condition generally is fairly satisfactory. Timaru Borough. —Early in the year the northern sewer outfall elischarging into the sea at the Dashing Rocks, near Smithfield, was ceunplcted, and the, Work of connecting the houses is being pushed on with. Portions, however, at berth north anel south ends of the borough are so situated that connections cannot be made into the existing sewers, ar.d it will be necessary to install a pumping plant to deal with these areas. The Work in. connection with the southern portion is being gone on with.. Complaints have beer, made with regard to offensive odours being noticed in business premises in Stafford Street, due! apparently to the, condition of-the old George Street seWer. Considerable improvement has been effected by the pre/peu- trapping of stormwater drains connected thereto, but there is no doubt the smell is largely accounted for by the discharge therein of the gasworks effluent. The Post Office also discharges into this old seWer, and, although the Borough Council has complained to the Post Office officials with regard tei their failure to connect with the new system, nothing has so far been, done. I understand, however, that it is proposed as soon as possible that a connection with the new sewer will be made. The water-supply feir the borough has been improved by the laying of larger mains during the year. The supply is eirawn from Pareora River, and conveyed to a reservoir of sufficient capacity for fifty-seven days' supply at 30 gallons per head. Refuse-removal is not satisfactory, and I think it weiuld be better if the work was undertaken by the Council instead of being let to a contractor. At present the refuse is dumped eiver a cliff on to the foreshore abeiut half a mile from the southern boundary eif the borough, ar.d some nuisance was caused thereby, and in consequence I made recommendations to the Borough Council for the better conduct of this depot. Waimate- All the houses in the present drainage area have been connected with the sewerage system, which seems to be Working quite satisfactorily. An extensiem, however, of the system is urgently needed, and the Borough Council has the matter in hand. The Water-supply is drawn from a creek in Kelso Bush, about four miles from, the borough. It is conducted by gravitation to a concrete reservoir near the town, which has a capacity for an eleven-day supply at 30 gallons per head, with a pressure eif 100 lb. to the square inch. All premises in the borough are connected to the Water-supply. Tem,uka. —Only a small area of this beirough is sewered, and in this area connection has not been enforced, and consequently there is a condition of pan-closets being next deior to premises connected with the sewer. The Borough Council has been receimmended to enforce their by-laws with regard to connection with the sewered area. The outfall, however, is not satisfactory, and the question eif extending the system and treating the effluent by means eif a septic tank before discharging into the river is new being considered. The borough has a high-pressure water-supply derived freim the Waihi River, but all the premises have not been connected thereto. Geraldine.- —Sei far this borough has not gone in for a sewerage scheme, and there is consequently some! pollution of watercourses running through the beireiugh by discharge of Waste water. A nuisance has arisen owing to the state in which these watercourses have been allowed to get into. The borough has been recommcndiid tei take measures to improve this condition. Other premises get rid eif their waste, water by discharge into soak-pits, and seime septic tanks have been installed. The borough has a high-pressure Water-supply deriveel from the Waihi River, which is conveyed by an open race to the north end of the borough, and thence out to a reservoir, giving a pressure eif 80 lb. South Canterbury generally- The sanitary conditions seem to be satisfactory. Greymouih. —The general, sanitary condition of this beirough is by no means satisfactory, and there is little prospect of improvement until a new sewerage system is installed. Unfortunately, the local authorities on the West Oeiast do not seem tei seriously consider the advantages of effectively carrying out their powers as sanitary authorities, and no assistance is given by the Greymouth Borough Council in connection with the demolition eif insanitary buildings. The water-supply eif the borough is obtained from the Grey River, which is liable to considerable pollution, beet sei much memey has been spent on this matter that it is hardly likely that any improvement will bo effected for seime time to come. A gravitation scheme could be obtained from what is known as the 10-Mile at an approximate cost of £30,000. Blackball.- A scheme is under consideration by the Grey County Ceiuncil for a sewerage scheme and Water-supply feir this township. Cobden. —The Grey County Council has alsei under cemsideration a drainage scheme .for this tewr.ship. Reefton.— The sanitary condition eif this township continues to be fairly satisfactory. Runanga. The prospect of arranging feir a sewerage scheme, and water-supply, alt.heiu.gh badly required, is not great, but the Borough Ceiuncil is now considering a nightsoil-remeival system.

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