71

H.—3l

granted, the staffing of schools and the salaries of teachers being based on average attendance. One hundred and twenty-five such certificates were given. Recently a circular on the cleansing and disinfection of schools has been drawn up after a conference with the Chief Health Officer, the Architect of the Auckland Education Board, and the Director of Technical Education. A novel feature is the use of sawdust saturated with a carbolic disinfectant to lay dust before sweeping. This, with the general introduction of damp dusting and the use of oil brooms, should remove to some extent the source of infection, particulate matter in all cases. Experiments with the Vacuum Dust-extractor showed that this machine was excellent for private houses, but the plant in Auckland was too small for public buildings. Executive. The clerical work during the year has more than doubled, as instanced by the number of letters having increased from 1,536 in 1906—7 to 3,524 in 1907-8. This increased work necessitated extra work on the part of the staff, none of whom have spared themselves. In my monthly report for May I made special reference to the enormous amount of additional work imposed upon all the officials of the Department during the outbreak of plague. I am pleased to say that the members of the staff all evince enthusiasm for their work, and are unsparing in their efforts to improve the sanitation of the district. To Mr. Symons I am indebted for the compilation of most of the details of this report. The addition of Mr. J. W. Taylor to the staff has been a boon. Mr. Symons is now able to devote more time to the compilation of statistical and graphic records as well as to laboratory work, for which he has much aptitude. Our typist, Miss Leonard, in undertaking much extra work has still further added to her usefulness as an energetic member of the staff. Inspector Grieves work is sound. His experience as an Inspector in Durban and Kimberley, especially in the administration of the Food and Drugs Act, has been most serviceable. He has loyally assisted me in a series of midnight inspections more especially associated with common lodging-houses. In my absence he has carried out the administrative duties under the Act with acumen and success. Inspector Bennett, Hamilton, has shown much initiative and resource, backed up by unflagging energy. Inspector Franklin's special knowledge of plumbing has been most serviceable at the Thames. Inspector Winstanley has given such satisfaction at Whangarei as to have obtained a request for his services from the local authority. As a result of your efforts as Chief Health Officer to bring the inspection by local authorities more into line with our work, I am pleased to record that Cambridge, Hamilton, Frankton, Whangarei, Te Kuiti, Taumarunui, and Newcastle have asked our Inspectors to take over the duties of local inspector. Reports are appended from Mr. Symons, District Clerk, and Inspectors Bennett, Franklin, Grieve, Middleton, and Winstanley. In view of the Auckland Drainage Bill being introduced during the coming session, a special report has been added on the incidence of typhoid in Auckland, and the question of sewage-disposal in the Auckland Harbour. In conclusion, I have to thank you, sir, for much assistance and advice not only during the past year as District Health Officer, Auckland, but also for having first imbued me with a desire to take up so interesting a branch of our profession as that of preventive medicine. I have, (fee, J. S. Purdy, M.D., CM. (Aberd.), D.P.H. (Camb.). Dr. Mason, Chief Health Officer, Wellington. Department of Public Health, District Office, Auckland, 31st March, 1908. Dr. J. S. Purdy, District Health Officer. I have the honour to submit a summary of the work done in the office and laboratory. Office Work. As had to be expected, the Department's work of past years, with its better appreciation by the public as years roll on, evidenced during the past year by numerous applications for assistance and advice, largely increased every portion of the work of the office staff, involving the despatch of 3,524 letters outward and'of 747 telegrams; the issue of 232 orders for admission to the hospital for infectious diseases; the examination and allocation of 53 applications for admission to Te Waikato Sanatorium; 797 notices in regard to cases of infectious diseases have been sent to local authorities; 497 tubes of vaccine lymph have been distributed to medical practitioners and public vaccinators; of memoranda, circulars, and cards, considerable numbers have been despatched. In addition, 121 requests to supply drugs and medicines to Native schools have been received, and the goods ordered from the suppliers.