H.—3l.

Second-hand Clothing and Bedding. Clothing is being disinfected before resale. In some cases this is being done by the vendor personally ; in other cases the work is being done by a reliable firm of cleaners, using modern methods of cleansing. Obviously dirty and soiled bedding is being rejected by second-hand dealers and auctioneers under instructions from this Department. Arrangements are in force in the larger town which ensure disinfection before sale. Holiday Resorts, Beaches, and Camping-sites. Attention is being paid to these places in the direction of ensuring that water-supplies are of good quality, and that reasonable sanitary arrangements are provided for those making use of these places. General. It has been my endeavour by personal visits and through my Senior Inspector to maintain a close touch with our own Health Inspectors and with the Sanitary Inspectors in the various towns and districts. Results show that this has made for a livelier interest in the work in hand, and a closer co-operation between the local authorities' officers and the Department in dealing with matters of mutual interest. I think I may safely say that our visits are now looked upon riot only as supervisory, but as helpful in nature. In regard to our own Inspectors of Health, efforts are still being maintained towards promoting habits of economy in the working of the districts under their charge by formulating and carrying out, as far as the nature of our work permits, a system in regard to the visitation of the different localities in such districts. The idea is slowly but surely gaining ground that it is not the mileage covered or the time spent which counts, but the amount of work done. Cemeteries. Since our Department took over the control of cemeteries, at the end of 1926, every cemetery in this district has been inspected at least once. Generally these cemeteries have been found to be well kept. Where any small works have been necessary the trustees or local authority have been communicated with direct. In some cases the trustees have been advised to apply to the local County Council for a grant in aid of upkeep ; in one or two cases the taking-over of the cemetery by the local authority is under consideration. Private Hospitals. The standard of these institutions has been well maintained. Regular visits of inspection have been paid by Miss Broad, who loses no opportunity of indicating to the various licensees the desirability of maintaining a high standard of efficiency. The condition of these hospitals is in practically all cases very good. In conclusion, I must mention the great assistance I have had from Senior Inspector Gardiner. His practical knowledge, and his thorough acquaintance with the various regulations, enables him to supervise the work of the other Inspectors, with the result that better and more efficient work is done. WAIRARAPA-EAST CAPE, NELSON-MARLBOROUGH HEALTH DISTRICT. Dr. Mercer, Medical Officer of Health, Wellington. Part 3. Inspectors. All the Inspectors of Health in my district have carried out their duties efficiently and satisfactorily. These duties are, as is known, very varied, ancl are of a wider scope than the duties performed by the Sanitary Inspectors of a city or borough. Senior Inspectors Gardiner and Middleton have been especially helpful in taking charge of many of the routine duties of this office. Senior Inspector Gardiner has done a considerable amount of travelling, and relieved me of duties which but for his assistance I should have had to give personal attention to. I can also speak well of the work carried out by the various local-authority Inspectors in my health districts. At all times they are willing to assist and co-operate with the Inspectors of the Health Department. I regret to say, however, that in my opinion, some of the local authorities do not allow their Inspectors sufficient time and opportunity to attend to the real and primary duties of a Sanitary Inspector. Too much of the day's work is taken up with office duties, and in consequence routine inspection work cannot be satisfactorily and fully carried out. Infectious Diseases. The health of the Wairarapa - East Cape and Nelson-Marlborough Health Districts has been quite satisfactory so far as infectious diseases of a severe type is concerned. Influenza was not unduly prevalent in any part of these districts during the year. Mumps and measles, of both varieties, have, however, been prevalent throughout both districts—mumps all through the year, and the type of this infectious disease has been, I consider, unusually severe. Many adults have been infected, and the victims include two of our own Inspectors. The history in the case of the family of one of them is interesting from an epidemiological point of view. The three members of the family—father, mother, and daughter aged about ten years—attended a school party in an overcrowded and not-well-ventilated room. Twelve days later the daughter had an attack of ordinary measles ; just when she was getting over the. measles, and nineteen days from the date of the party, she developed mumps, and the day

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