H.—3l.

Visits in a supervisory capacity with the Chief City Inspector have been made to the eatinghouses, food-factories, and shops in the city. These premises are receiving a good deal of attention, and during the year the Chief Inspector has successfully prosecuted several owners of premises for breaches of the regulations. The regulations governing the conduct of hairdressers' shops are being well observed. The Council have consented to their Chief Inspector being appointed an officer under the Sale of Food and .Drugs Act for the purpose of taking milk-samples, dealing with unsound food, and have also undertaken the inspection of all licensed hotels in the City. The excellent standard of sanitation achieved by this City Council, backed by the efforts of its Engineer, Chief Inspector, and staff, is worthy of commendation. Palmerston North. —The general sanitation of this borough is in the hands of the Borough Engineer and two Sanitary Inspectors, both of whom are qualified. Rubbish removal and disposal is being efficiently carried out by the borough. Sewage System : A good deal of trouble has been experienced during the year owing to defects in the outfall sewers. The capacity of these sewers has been overtaxed owing to the influx of ground water. This has led to flooding of certain areas at times with sewage, and has impaired the efficiency of the treatment-works. Proposals for remodelling the outfall sewers and for providing reticulation for newly-built-on areas of the borough have received the sanction of the ratepayers. Water-supply : During the latter end of the year the water-supply was found to be unsatisfactory. Owing to so much silting-up of the storage reservoir having taken place as to reduce its capacity by about one-third, the filters being overtaxed, the supply was suffering in quality. During the period of dry weather early this year the storage supply fell rapidly and the situation gave rise to some anxiety. In spite of these conditions, the ratepayers have refused to sanction loan proposals for permanently improving and enlarging the water-supply works. The situation as it stands will have, however, to be met by cleaning out the reservoir, installing more filters, and conserving the present supply. A consumption of over 90 gallons per head of population per day should be more than sufficient for all ordinary requirements. One of the main defects of this water system is the very low pressure maintained in the main. This is due to the fact that the main from the reservoir to the town is too small, and also that many of the subsidiary mains are also not large enough. Apart from the seriousness of this in the matter of fire-control, the pressure in some parts of the town is not sufficient to enable the water-closet cisterns to fill. Eating-houses and Food-shops : In April of this year the borough for the first time undertook the licensing of these premises. A large amount of work has been done in a supervisory way in the direction of ensuring compliance with our regulations. Feilding Borough. —The general sanitation of this borough is undertaken by the Borough Engineer and a qualified Sanitary Inspector. Rubbish removal and disposal is being effectively undertaken by the borough. Water-supply and Sewage-disposal: No new works have been put in hand during the year. Both systems are working well. Marton Borough. —The general sanitation of this borough is looked after by Inspector Pargeter, who acts as Sanitary Inspector for the borough. Rubbish Removal and Disposal: This borough has 110 systematic system of removal or disposal. Inspections which have been made from time to time have shown the necessity for the provision of such. Water-supply : An inspection of this water-supply showed that the system was defective in many tvays. The septic-tank system of sewage-treatment was found somewhat defective owing to sludging-up of the tank and want of attention to the filter bed. These defects have been remedied. Eating-houses and Food-shops : An inspection of these premises disclosed the fact that very many of these did not comply with the standard required by the regulations. A report on the conditions existing in these premises was made to the Council, who were requested to carry into effect the registration or licensing of such premises as required by the regulations. So far the Council has tacitly refused to assume the responsibility placed upon it by the Health Act to license and maintain these premises up to the standard required by the regulations. The attitude of this Council towards the quite reasonable requests of the Department has throughout been such as may in the near future require your intervention in securing their compliance therewith. Offensive Trades and Cattle-saleyards. All the boroughs are registering both offensive trades and cattle-saleyards, and both are being kept in good order. Theatres and Public Halls. As the result of inspections made whilst in the various localities, it can be said that generally the provisions of the regulations are being observed. There is, however, perhaps too litrie inspection during actual use of such places, and such inspection, if at the same time accurate tests of temperature and humidity by the Kata thermometer were taken, would disclose ventilation defects requiring remedy in the interests of the health and comfort of those patronizing these places of entertainment. Hairdressers'' Shops. It is found that the provisions of the regulations are generally being well observed.

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