H.—3l

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Onslow Borough. Population, 2,098. Infectious diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 5 ; enteric fever, 1 ; tuberculosis, 2. I regret to report that the Onslow Borough Council has not yet fully awakened from the state of lethargy as regards the growing sanitary needs of its district. The condition of Wadestown especially demands a vigorous policy. A drainage scheme for the borough was drawn up by Mr. Mestayer some time ago, but so far no result has followed. Negotiations with the city for the drainage of Goldie's Brae were opened, but the matter seems to " hang fire." Miramar Borough. Population, 952. This little borough, though still an infant, shows encouraging signs of vigour. A nightsoil service has been established, and an excellent set of building by-laws has been adopted, including a very wise clause limiting building-areas to \ acre, and it is to be hoped that the Council will remain firm against any attempt to reduce this limit. It has the condition of Kilbirnie e\-er before it to act the part of " horrid example," and it does not need a very active imagination to picture the trouble which would arise on the Miramar flats were each house not provided with sufficient land to dispose effectually of the domestic slop-waters. Petone Borough. Population, 5,807. Infectious diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 20 ; enteric fever, 1; diphtheria, 1; tuberculosis, 2. This borough deserves special commendation for the excellence of its nightsoil service, the only trouble being financial, owing to the technical difficulties in the matter of sanitary rates. The bylaw limiting building-allotments to J acre is also a matter on which the borough may be congratulated. Lower Hutt Borough. Population, 3,404. Infectious diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 3 ; enteric fever, 1; diphtheria, 3 ; tuberculosis, 1. An important step has been taken in the adoption of a drainage scheme which is now in course of construction. This will result in the removal of many weak spots in the sanitary armour. Marlinborough. , Population, 637. Infectious, diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 9 ; enteric fever, 1; diphtheria, 2 tuberculosis, 1. The Town Board of Martinborough has shown some activity in matters sanitary, and has established a nightsoil servic..-, which was greatly needed. By-laws controlling the service have been supplied by the Department, and as the older pans and privies get replaced by more modern ones the service will prove of great benefit. Greytown. Population, 1,112. Infectious diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 2. The water-supply problem is at present exercising the minds of the Council, the difficulty being the familiar one of cost. The irrigation trenches are certainly not to be considered as reliable sources of supply. The Hospital Board is now engaged on the erection of an infectious-diseases hospital—small, but quite sufficient for the average needs of the district. Carterton Borough. ' Population, 1,407. Infectious diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 8 ; diphtheria, 1. As a sequence to the installation of a water-service last year, the sewerage system is now practically complete, with the result that this borough may be regarded as having placed itself in a satisfactory sanitary position. Drainage by-laws have been adopted in accordance with the standard suggested by the Health Department. Some little trouble over the site of the septic tank occurred during the year, but has been overcome in a satisfactory manner from the point of view of the Council. Masterton. Population, 5,003. Infectious diseases reported : Scarlet fever, 8 ; enteric fever, 3 ; diphtheria, 5; tuberculosis, 3 ; blood-poisoning, 1. Little progress can be reported in this town, since, owing to the Council withdrawing from the scheme for maintaining a District Inspector, the sanitary inspection has been done in* a very casual manner. For a town of this size something more is required in this direction than a few hours a week given by an officer who has many other duties to attend to. During December many complaints arose as to the quality of the water-supply. On investigation these proved well founded, as the lagoon used as an auxiliary water-supply was in a very foul condition. The ordinary supply, however, was very satisfactory as regards purity, and the Council has now obtained, in place of the original, auxiliary water from the gravel-beds on the upper reaches of the river. This water, like that of the lower intake, passes through a process of natural filtration, and it is improbable that any further cause for complaint will be found.