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Another town, Blenheim, with a population of five thousand is still without a sewerage system. This matter has been outstanding for some years. The Borough Council has constantly pleaded lack of funds as an excuse for not carrying out this very necessary sanitary work. It was hoped that this year might have seen an improvement in the finances of the borough, but a hvdro-electric installation has, unfortunately, drained the resources of the ratepayers, and set the clock back so far as a sewerage scheme is concerned. Water-supplies. Samples of water from various public supplies are examined chemically and bacteriologically from time to time. The presence of the colon bacillus in upland waters in quantities in excess of what some Medical Officers of Health might regard as a safe standard is an interesting factor. Such waters are chemically excellent for all domestic purposes. A few recent examples of these waters, which have been in use for many years as domestic supplies, where chemically there is no suspicion of contamination, but bacteriologically there is evidence of Bacillus coli in 5 c.c. or even only 1 c.c., have made us anxious to investigate carefully for any obvious sources of pollution. These investigations are, for the most part, negative in their findings. In some instances we have found that since the first installation of the water-supply a considerable amount of bush has been cleared above the intake, and some rough cultivation of the land carried out. Yet there is no evidence of permanent pollution from drainage from habitations, although there may be some pollution by cattle, sheep, and, in some instances, wild pigs and deer. I am. of opinion that these water-supplies do not require artificial means of purification, provided reasonable precautions to prevent pollution at the intake are carried out, and periodic inspections of the pipe-line for leakages are made. Milk-suppi.ies. I am endeavouring to get the larger boroughs to carry out the entire control of the milk-supply, including a periodic taking of samples. This is a much more desirable method than the limited control that our own Inspectors can have. A few early-morning visits to take samples for possible adulteration is not, in my opinion, a proper control and supervision of the milk supply of a town of five thousand population and upwards. Private Hospitals. In my report for 1928, I remarked that " the efficiency of these institutions is steadily improving." The same remark applies this year. No new private hospitals have been opened ; one or two have been closed. The new Memorial Hospital at Hastings is proving to be a very popular institution, and is doing very useful maternity work. Nurse Inspectors. The inspection work carried out by the two Health Department's Nurse Inspectors is excellent, and I have learnt from various outside sources is much appreciated by all nurses engaged in hospital and private work. District Nurses. The work carried out by Mrs. Oliphant in Hawke's Bay is very good, and is much appreciated by the Maoris. SECTION 7.—TARANAKI HEALTH DISTRICT. Dr. Mecbedy, Medical Officer of Health. Infectious Diseases. The epidemic of scarlet fever which commenced early in 1928 continued with decreasing intensity into 1929, in which year 277 cases were notified. The notifications of diphtheria almost doubled as compared with 1928, while very slight increases were recorded for pneumonic influenza and pneumonia. A considerable decrease in incidence was experienced in the case of puerperal fever, eclampsia, erysipelas, and enteric fever. The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis remained unchanged. The total number of verified notifications dropped from 940 in 1928 to 658 in the year under review. Diphtheria, after a number of lean years, showed a distinct tendency to become more prevalent, but the number of notifications was still below the average for the preceding seven years. As in the previous years, July proved the month of maximum incidence. A very persistent epidemic of the disease was experienced at Rawhitiroa. In spite of the regular swabbing and the elimination of cases and carriers, fresh outbreaks occurred on each occasion on which the school was opened. (School-closure, was resorted to at the request of the School Committee.) By the conclusion of the epidemic, the majority of the children attending the school had either contracted the disease or been carriers. The results of systematic swabbing in the case of this school proved disappointing, and were apparently of no value in limiting the spread of the disease. Nothing in the nature of an epidemic was experienced elsewhere in the district. The general type of the disease remained mild, but five deaths occurred. Only six of the 113 cases were treated at home.