H.—3l.

Karori: Nuisances have been reported in this suburb. The Borough Council should lose no time in instituting a service for the removal of nightsoil. In connection with these suburbs it is to be hoped that, in the interests of sanitation, the " Greater Wellington " scheme will obtain the approval of the ratepayers. Lower Hutt: This borough is about to institute a better system for the removal of nightsoil. Petone: No nuisances have been reported during the year from the neighbourhood of Petone. The Borough Council are about to install a public water-supply. WANGANUI. A " combined " system of drainage has been installed in Wanganui for some years past. It works fairly well, but naturally in dry weather the sewers tend to become very foul, with no storm-waters to flush them. The house connections are very well laid, under the inspection of the borough engineer. A good many complaints have been made during the year concerning the emanations from the ventilating-grids in the streets, and additional shafts have been advocated to reduce the nuisance. As in other towns, the removal of refuse is most unsatisfactory. Unfortunately, scavenging is not undertaken by the Council—with the usual results. The condition of the depot where rubbish is deposited deservedly occasions considerable criticism. A regular removal of rubbish and the erection of a modern destructor are very necessary to complete the sanitation of this prosperous town. A few unsanitary buildings have been condemned in this town during the year. Unfortunately, fifteen cases of typhoid have been reported in Wanganui for the year ending 31st March, 1901. No common cause, however, could be assigned for the disease. As in the case of other New Zealand towns, the disease is endemic, and is specially liable to break out in the low-lying parts of the town during the fall of the year. Inspector Kendall, who has been appointed by this Department for the Wanganui-Waitotara "combined area," is now stationed at Wanganui. Mr. Kendall is an able and energetic officer; and has been instructed to take special observations with regard to all cases of typhoid reported. PALMBBSTON. The sanitary condition of Palmerston is not good ; in fact, in that part of the town between the Square and the Eailway-station, which is not connected with the drainage scheme, it is very bad. This portion is honeycombed with cesspools. In other parts of the town a good many houses could be connected with the present system of sewers. The house-drains are badly ventilated. Refuse is removed by a contractor, who is not obliged to remove more than 6 cubic feet at a time. I understand that the Corporation intend to extend their drainage scheme so as to allow the insanitary portion of the town —just mentioned—to connect therewith. This is very necessary. During the months of February and March an outbreak occurred that presented all the symptoms of true dysentery. Fourteen cases were reported, with four deaths. Dr. Wilson kindly gave the following description of the disease. It was characterized by the sudden onset of diarrhcea and vomiting associated with severe griping pains in the abdomen. Within twenty-four hours the stools became tinged with blood —in some cases the hemorrhage from the bowels being very severe; the extremities were cold, and the patient soon assumed that " pinched " appearance which is characteristic of true dysentery. Those cases that terminated fatally died within twentyfour hours of the onset of the disease. In some cases the diarrhcea and vomiting ceased as suddenly as it had commenced ; but in the majority the disease ran into a chronic course, gradually lapsing into ordinary chronic diarrhcea of an intractable nature. Insanitary conditions were found about all the houses where these cases occurred. FEILDING. Unfortunately this town has no system of sewerage, therefore its sanitary condition is not good, but not nearly so bad as has been currently reported. A proposal for water-supply and drainage is shortly to be submitted to the ratepayers. MAETON. The sanitary condition of this borough is fair on taking into consideration that it has no system of sewerage. A septic tank has been installed at one of the hotels. The borough is provided with a water-supply, but the water is of poor quality, containing too much vegetable matter. HAWBEA. This borough has lately had installed an excellent water-supply and drainage scheme. A good many houses are yet to be connected with the sewers. STEATFOBD. An excellent water-supply and sewage scheme, with the septic-tank system, is in process of installation in this enterprising borough. NEW PLYMOUTH. The ratepayers of this borough have lately adopted the proposal submitted them by their Council for a thoroughly modern system of drainage in conjunction with septic tanks. The borough has been provided for some time with an excellent water-supply.

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