H.—3l

Some of the more important improvements effected during the year are as follows : — In the sparsely settled country a.reas some sanitary improvements are noted, but these are mostly individual in character, though the application of regulations regarding food-sellers' premises and, to certain restricted areas, of the Plumbing and Drainage Regulations has made for considerable improvement in these matters. Dargaville.—A daylight nightsoil-c.ollection service has been put into operation during the year without complaints, which were frequent under the night regime. Whangarei.—The sewerage system has been improved, and it is proposed shortly to extend the scheme of the whole of the town and to treat the sewage before discharge into the sea. Helensville.—Sewerage scheme extended and a rubbish-dump opened under the supervision of the Town Board. Residents are required to remove refuse to the dump, but there is no public removal service. Henderson.—Weekly nightsoil-removal', sealed-pan system, inaugurated. New Lynn.—A drainage system with septic tank and effluent outfall to the Manukau Harbour is under construction. Waitemata County. —Nightsoil-removal services have been instituted in the New Lynn and Waikumete portions of the county ; also in the Takapuna. Riding and for the settlements along the coast (Castor Bay, Murray's Bay, Brown's Bay, Deep Creek, &c.). Northern Boroughs. —Devonport, Takapuna, and Northcote have combin'ed to erect a common refuse-destructor, and considerable improvement may be expected in regard to rubbish-disposal in the future. Considerable improvements have been carried out in connection with the Northcote drainage scheme and septic tanks. Birkenhead has had a proposed sewerage scheme under consideration, but little immediate action is probable. Good progress has been made in regard to the Takapuna drainage scheme. Thames.—Sewerage system extended and improvements effected to sanitary conditions. Paeroa. —Steady progress made with sewerage reticulation. Tauranga.—Several insanitary buildings condemned, and refuse-disposal system improved. Water-supplies. The supervision of water-supplies has been duly exercised, and bacteriological and chemical examinations have been made whenever necessary. In all, sixteen bacteriological and four chemical examinations were made. The following matters regarding various supplies are worthy of mention :— Lake Takapuna. —Supplying the four northern boroughs has been given special attention, and the withholding of building permits on the watershed area has necessitated considerable correspondence and supervision. Helensville.—A supplementary supply has been located and investigated. Warkworth. —An area of 30 acres, with two springs, has been acquired for waterworks purposes. Dargaville.—The whole of the catchment area has been obtained by the Council, and all buildings and stock removed therefrom. The fencing of the area (approximately seven miles in length) is being proceeded with. Food and Drugs Work. A considerable amount of work has been entailed in the supervision of the sale of foodstuffs, and a good number of samplings have been made. Good improvement has been effected in the condition of food-sellers' premises, due to frequent inspection and the enforcing of the regulations or by-laws governing these places. Minor breaches of the regulations have been dealt with by warning the vendor or manufacturer of the foodstuff concerned, but whenever necessary, prosecutions were instituted, with successful results. These numbered —North Auckland District, seven, with fines and costs imposed totalling £67 6s. 4d. : and Coromandel-Opotiki, three ; fines and costs, £7 6s. 6d. It is satisfactory to note a considerable decrease in these figures from last year's totals, indicating better compliance with the Regulations. Native Health. In co-operation with the Maori Hygiene Division good work has been done amongst the Native population by the district nurses to the Maoris and the Native Inspector, much of the work being preventive and educational. General.! During the year a great deal of work has been done in connection with the inspection and supervision of cemeteries, and considerable improvement has been effected in this matter. The standard of sanitation in the hotels inspected has been found fairly satisfactory, and improvements have been effected as required. As there are no " ports of entry " in the districts, but few vessels from overseas have entered any of the ports, but such as have done so under special permit have been inspected and the health of crews found satisfactory. Good co-operation has existed with the School Medical and Dental Officers operating in the districts, and much good work has been accomplished.

7—H. 31.

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