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Puerperal Fever.—Notifications under this heading showed an increase, which, I think, is in part due to better notification and a willingness on the part of the general practitioner to work in with the Department in its measures for the control of this disease. Incidence proved 0-19 per 1,000 population. The other notifiable diseases do not call for any special comment. Earthquake of 17th June. On the above date the West Coast was visited by a severe earthquake, the chief centres of marked severity being at Murchison, Karamea, and Westport. Water-supply mains were broken at Westport, Greymouth, and Hokitika. The repairs to the mains at Hokitika and Greymouth were soon effected, but it took over a week before an 8 in. supply was available at Westport. A limited supply was made available for the business section of the town by shutting off the valves at the margin of the four central blocks and pumping a supply by means of a steam-engine from the railway well into the mains. The local authorities and certain private persons engaged motor-lorries, on which they placed iron and galvanized-iron water-tanks, into which water was pumped from approved sources for delivery to the residents. In addition, eight local wells were approved for the purpose of residents taking their supplies therefrom by bucket. The sewerage system was inspected by means of lamping, and this, on the whole, was found to be intact. It was decided, therefore, that the householders could use their w.c.s. provided they flushed them daily by means of a bucket of water. In the case of hotels and boardinghouses the Borough Council improvised a pan service, which was removed daily from these places to an approved burialground. The electric-light supply was interrupted for a very short period, the breakdown being repaired promptly, and so the light was restored. A considerable number of breakages occurred in the gas-supply mains. Two serious breaks occurred in the water-supply mains—one in the 14 in. main, and the other in the 8 in. main previously referred to. In addition to these, the household connections were in many instances broken at the junctions with the mains. It was found at the time and subsequently that the greatest damage to the sewers, gas mains and pipes, and water-retriculation was in the western area of the borough, overlying the marine gravels. It is fortunate that at the time of the earthquake the weather happened to be fine, and the householders were able to effect repairs to the roofs, caused by the falling-in of chimneys, and thereby making reasonably watertight until the permanent repairs were completed. I need not dilate further on this subject, as you have already been advised in regard to this matter in my special reports. lam pleased to state that, as a result of the action taken, there was no outbreak of the intestinal group of diseases. Drainage. The Christchurch Drainage Board is still extending the sewerage scheme in the Christchurch metropolitan area, and householders' connections are being made as soon as possible after the laying of the mains. Water-supplies. These have proved to be satisfactory throughout the district whenever sampled. Offensive Trades. These have been, on the whole, very well conducted, the only exception being a gelatine-factory, where verbal instructions were given for immediate improvements. These the management undertook to comply with immediately. Food and Drugs. This work has been carried our regularly in the district, together with a systematic inspection of food premises. lam glad to state that fewer prosecutions were taken against milk-vendors than for some time, this being due to the general improvement maintained by the individual vendors as a whole. Industrial Hygiene. Duco-spraying plants, bitumen-mixing plants, and stone-crushing plants have been kept under particular observation within an area of ten miles from the centre of Christchurch. Improvements are.being regularly effected in these plants as opportunity affords. Fines collected for Year. Fines amounting to £165 19s. lOd. were collected under the various Acts and regulations for breaches thereof. In conclusion, it is my pleasure to again record my thanks to my staff, one and all, for the valuable assistance afforded me during the year, and for their loyalty and willingness. Particularly would I instance my Health Inspectors, whose duties are so varied.