H.—3l.

the inhabitants, as they have often been the cause of a smart epidemic of typhoid fever. Apart from this, their periodical emptying occasions considerable nuisance. 2. The Removal of Nightsoil is very ill attended to in many of the smaller towns. It is often left to the contractor to remove the receptacles (which generally lack uniformity and are leaky) when he thinks fit; or in those towns where he is supposed to get his dues from the householder he will generally refrain from removing the nightsoil from the houses of those persons who are in his debt. 3. Tank-water. —Persons who rely on tanks for their water-supply very seldom take the trouble to get them cleaned. They would be surprised to see the interior of a tank that had received the washings from the roof for a few months. Wellington. Of the four chief cities of the colony and their suburbs Wellington has the lowest death-rate, that for 1901 being only 10-29 per 1,000. The infantile death-rate is also proportionately low, only 795 deaths being recorded to every 100 births. During the past year 27 deaths occurred from specific or zymotic disease, 9 being in children under five years, and the remainder in persons over that age: viz.,— Under Five Years Five Years. and over. Influenza ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 10 Whooping-cough ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 Diphtheria ... ... ... ... ... ~.4 3 Typhoid fever ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 5 9 18 27 It is interesting to note that no deaths are recorded from scarlet fever. Seventy-two deaths were reported from tuberculous diseases in the city and suburbs. Of these, 55 were from phthisis, two being in children under five years of age ; therefore 1 death in every 7 was from some form of tuberculous disease, and 1 death in every 9-2 from consumption of the lungs. This rate is too high, and does not compare favourably with the death-rates from tuberculous diseases recorded in the other chief cities of the colony. The Sanitation of Wellington. The sanitary condition of the city is fair, though many houses are yet to be connected with the drainage system. The drainage-connections are on the whole well made, but now and then examples of careless plumbing are found. The Corporation by-laws are very complete, and if they were observed in their entirety the sanitation of the city should be absolutely assured. Removal of Refuse.— The manner in which this is at present carried out is far from satisfactory. Though a daily system for its removal has been adopted in certain parts of the city, in other portions it is only removed once a week. In many instances the receptacles provided are too small for the purpose, and the scavenger refuses to take more than is actually in the pail. Removal of Stable Manure. —This is most unsatisfactory. Many owners of stables would get rid of this manure regularly, but it is extremely difficult to find a place handy to the city for its disposal. It would be imagined that there would be a great demand for a manure of such agricultural value, but such is not the case. The Corporation should consider the advisability of acquiring the right to deposit the manure on some of the sandhills. The Destructor. —ln connection with the removal of rubbish it may be as well to mention the writer's experience as to the capabilities of the destructor, concerning which there are many conflicting reports. On reliable information it has been ascertained that some seventy loads are put through daily, Saturdays and Sundays excepted—viz., from Corporation carts, 37 loads ; from private carts, 20; fruit, 10; fish, -J- : total, 67-J loads. The fruit from the auction marts, however, is not taken to the destructor. This destructor is a four-celled " Fryer," and was erected about fourteen years ago. It certainly appears to do its work well up to a certain point, but the addition of another couple of cells would be of great advantage to the city. Infectious-diseases Hospital. —At the time of writing seventeen cases of scarlet fever and four cases of diphtheria are in the Hospital, and five more are convalescing at the Plague Hospital. About the middle of last year the necessity for increased accommodation for infectious cases was emphasized by the epidemic of scarlet fever, and the following letter was addressed to His Worship the Mayor :— Department of Public Health (Head Office), Sib,— Wellington, 31st October, 1901. I have the honour to draw the attention of your Council to the following matters concerning the sanitary welfare of the city, particularly with regard to the present want of accommodation for cases of infectious disease. On the 18th instant, four days before the arrival of the s.s. "Gothic," the Department was notified that scarlet fever had broken out among the passengers of that ship. Accordingly, arrangements were made by Dr. Ewart for the reception of those infected at the Hospital. Information was also received that the Isolation Hospital at Berhampore was available, in case it might be considered necessary to isolate more cases than the Hospital authorities were able to aocommodate. In making the necessary arrangements it was discovered that the Berhampore Hospital was not connected with the telephone. On arrival of the " Gothio " I was informed by the Hospital steward that it was impossible to accommodate the three oases of scarlet fever from that vessel, as some cases of that disease had recently been admitted to the infectious ward from H.M.S. " Bingarooma." The cases and contacts were accordingly sent to Berhampore in a cab. It is true that the Corporation ambulance-oar was in waiting at the wharf, but the vehicle did not look safe, and is altogether unfit for the purpose for whioh it is intended.

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