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Pahiatua. Population, 1,209. The ratepayers have decided to instal, at a cost of £10,000, a system of water and drainage in connection with septic tanks. Masterton. Population, 3,949. Five hundred and sixty-three inspections have been made in this town during the past year. Some two years ago the borough was provided with an excellent water-supply. A certain portion of the borough is connected with a drainage system. The drainage is received into septic tanks, the effluent being discharged into the subsoil or by broad irrigation over a 15-acre paddock. The latter system is answering best. Masterton was one of the very first towns to adopt the septic-tank system, and the results have naturally been watched with interest. On the whole the tank is working well, but the sludge has accumulated rather more rapidly than was to be expected. The effluent varies considerably. On some occasions when I have inspected it it came up to all expectations ; at others it was not so good. Very great improvement has been made in the sanitation of this borough during the last six months. The Council have lately decided to considerably extend the drainage system. The Council have also decided to erect an infectious-diseases hospital in conjunction with the Masterton County Council. Owing to a mild outbreak of scarlet fever, a cottage was obtained in the borough for the reception of scarlet-fever cases, and it has been more or less in use for the past six months. Masterton County. The Masterton County has also erected a small building for the reception of scarlet-fever cases. I believe I am right in saying that this is the only instance where a county has, at its own expense, erected an infectious-diseases hospital under the Act. Carterton. Population, 1,205. In the course of next year Carterton should be provided with an excellent water-supply, and I understand that the adoption of a drainage scheme is in contemplation. Greytown North. Several cesspools have been abolished in this town during the past year, and septic tanks substituted. The manner in which nightsoil is removed is by no means satisfactory, it being left to the householder to notify the contractor when his services are required. Petone. Population, 3,780. The sanitation of this town is excellent. Under the superintendence of Mr. Jickell, the Borough Engineer, nightsoil-removal is carried out in an admirable manner. Slop-waters are admitted to sewers, and almost all the houses have been connected. A system for the fortnightly removal of refuse has lately been instituted. The borough is about to instal a public water-supply. Lower Hutt. Population, 1,822. The borough has recently decided to adopt a system for the weekly removal of nightsoil. Onslow. Population, 1,499. After much uncertainty as to the actual site of the nightsoil-deposit, this borough has at last selected one, and is about, I trust, to adopt a system for the weekly removal of nightsoil. Karori. Several nuisances have been reported in this suburb, particularly as to the disposal of slopwaters. There is at present no system for the removal of nightsoil, but I understand the borough contemplates the immediate undertaking of this necessary sanitary precaution. Cerebro-spinal Meningitis. Four deaths from this disease have been recorded during the year. To Dr. Dawson, of Pahiatua, I am indebted for drawing attention to six cases which broke out in a four-roomed house, occupied by eight persons, at Mangamaire. The house is situated in a valley with a high range of papa hills to eastward. The subsoil water is about 16 ft. from the surface. With the exception of overcrowding there were no special insanitary conditions about the premises. The K. family are Irish. B. K. was the first attacked, and all the other cases developed within a week. In every case the disease started with a cold and sore throat, hoarseness and dysphagia being marked. Within a few hours the neck and joints became stiff, and this was followed by severe pains in the limbs. Subsequently vomiting and delirium supervened. I append Dr. Dawson's notes on the four cases admitted to the hospital: — I first saw J. K. on the 17th August. His temperature was 103, his pulse 59. He was lying in bed all doubled up in a semi-unconscious condition, with a low muttering delirium. If he moved, he cried out, even on moving a hand he complained. No swelling of joints. Head retracted and pupils contracted. Many well-marked purpuric spots. Vomiting continued all night. There was the peculiar cephalic cry. Prom the above symptoms I concluded it was a case of ordinary meningitis. One could not examine very carefully, as he cried out so pitifully, even on pulling down bedclothes. On admission to the hospital the symptoms were much the same, only the rash was