H.—3l.

amount of bacteriological experiment in connection with the plague cases. The new offices in the old Police Barracks are comfortable and roomy. Cupboards for filing papers have been provided, and the clerical work can now be done more systematically. Pathological Work. The new laboratory has been conveniently fitted, and is roomy and well lighted, and were I able to find time much good work might be done here. So far the medical men have not taken much advantage of the opportunity for getting pathological investigations. The following is a short summary of the work done: Water-supplies analysed, 6 ; milksupply, 1 ; tumours sectioned, 6 ; urines examined, 9; blood-samples for vidal reaction, 8; throat for diphtheria, 6 ; sputa for tubercle, 18. One sample vomit was examined chemically and microscopically, lof fseces, and 4of pus. One medico-legal question re blood-stain on an instrument was investigated on behalf of the police. One scraping from a wound was examined for tetanus, the bacillus found, and cultures made. In connection with the Okoroire poisoning case three samples of milk were examined, as was the gelatine with which the pudding in question was made. In connection with plague the following work was done : From plague-patient V. the gland (ante-mortem) and the liver, spleen, kidney, and bubo were investigated ; many cultures were made, and a guinea-pig was inoculated and examined after death. From the plague-patient B. the spleen and peritoneal fluid were examined, cultures made, and a guinea-pig successfully inoculated, and subsequently examined. In connection with other cases reported as possibly plague, four spleens have been examined and three guinea-pigs inoculated, two post-mortems made, and a portion of an excised gland investigated. In cases of special interest and importance specimens have been forwarded to Mr. Gilruth for further investigation. Media have been in part prepared in Auckland, and in part obtained from the Laboratory in Wellington. The apparatus is far from complete yet ; what I have is partially borrowed from local practitioners. In laboratory investigations I am much handicapped by lack of time, and I fear it will be long before any sound research-work can be carried out, as my other duties are so varied, and there is so much need for practical sanitary work in the Auckland District. Summaey of Woek done by Inspectob Winstanlbt. peom Dbcbmbbe, 1901, to May, 1902. In December inspected premises re 16 cases infectious diseases; inspected 80 houses, &c, re sanitary arrangements; served 10 notices re sanitary requirements; inspected Coromandel, Hamilton, Eangiriri (re Brook's cheese-factory), Thames. In January inspected premises re 15 cases infectious diseases ; inspected 226 houses, &c, re sanitary arrangements ; served 33 notices re sanitary requirements ; inspected Mercer, Pukekohe, Waihi, Ngaruawahia, Huntly, Hamilton, Tauranga, Paeroa. In February inspected premises re 21 cases infectious diseases; inspected 350 houses re sanitary arrangements; served 15 notices re sanitary requirements; inspected Whangarei, Ngunguru (re poisoning), Waihi (re poisoning). In March inspected premises, &c, re 24 cases infectious disease ; inspected 200 houses, &c, re sanitary arrangements ; served 23 notices re sanitary requirements ; inspected Okoroire (re poisoning), Waiwera, Coromandel (re pollution of streams). In April inspected premises re 41 cases infectious diseases ; inspected 130 houses re sanitary arrangements, &c. ; served 17 notices re sanitary requirements, &c. During this month performed a great deal of clerical work. In May inspected premises, &c, re 32 cases infectious diseases ; inspected 330 houses, &c, re sanitary arrangements (several ruinous sheds and residences waiting to be condemned) ; served 18 notices re sanitary requirements ; inspected Cambridge, Whangarei, and Kamo re infectious diseases, &c.; investigated a big consignment of flour from America, which is said to be inferior. Summary. —lnfectious diseases, 149; inspected residences, &c, 1,316; notices served, 116. Number of residents who have shown improvement out of 1,316 inspections shown on report from December to M!ay, 1902, 1,000. Number of residents who have shown improvement out of 116 on whom notices re sanitary requirements were served, as shown on report, from December to May, 1902, 110. Number of infectious diseases traced from November to May, 1902, shown on infectious diseases report: Enteric, 182; scarlet fever, 117; diphtheria, 51. Number of notices served on local bodies re disinfection of premises, 237. E. H. Makgill, M.8., CM., D.Ph., Cant., District Health Officer, Auckland.

HEALTH DISTRICT OF HAWKE'S BAY. Dr. Mason, Chief Health Officer. Sib,— The first annual report for the Hawke's Bay Health District cannot be made a very complete one, as I only took up the duties of Acting District Health Officer in the place of Dr. De Lisle on Ist October, 1901; the report therefore deals only with the period of six months from Ist October, 1901, to 31st March, 1902. Also the Act to be administered was a new one, and, the district being entirely strange to me, it took me some time to get acquainted with the district in general and public-health matters in particular. The objects for which an annual report are required are, I presume, to give and record information on the two following points ; — 1 The existing state of the sanitation of the district, 6—H. 31,

51