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reflects credit on all concerned. Last May, when the two cases of plague were under observation in Auckland, a case occurred in Gisborne which gave rise to some anxiety. A recent arrival in the town —a man of respectable habits, who lived in a nearly new, well-situated house on the Kaiti, and was employed by the Harbour Board as a wharf labourer—in the course of his work, part of which was handling hides, received a wound on his finger from a wood-hook. As this did not heal readily, he consulted a chemist: some four or five days after, the wound being still unhealed, he was taken seriously ill, and Dr. Collins was summoned. Dr. Collins found the patient with a temperature of 106° Fahr., low muttering delirium. There was no redness of the lymphatics nor enlargement of the glands; there were petechiae on various parts of the body and some oposthotonos. Dr. Coker was called in consultation, but, notwithstanding their united efforts, the patient died. A post-mortem was made by Dr. Scott. The spleen was found to be diffluent, there were infarctions in the lungs, and the endocardium was ulcerated and covered with vegetations. Specimens were removed for future examination. An inquest was held, and the only medical evidence that was called was that of Dr. Scott. The evidence of the practitioners who attended the patient during life was dispensed with, notwithstanding that they would have been able to give valuable testimony. I immediately proceeded to Gisborne, and, in company with Drs. Collins and Coker—Dr. Scott was not able to be present—made microscopical examinations of the smears of the spleen and other organs. We found no pestis. The case was suspicious in many ways, and merited the most careful investigation, and this revealed that it was not one of plague. I desire to record with appreciation the courteous manner in which the Chairman of the Hospital Trustees placed the valuable microscope of the hospital at my disposal to enable me to make the necessary examination. Prior to my arrival, the Borough Council had acted very judiciously—disinfecting the house, and burning all articles of clothing belonging to the deceased. The body was buried in a kauri coffin, and I recommended that the grave should be completely isolated, and received a guarantee from the Mayor that this should be done. Tolaga. This township is growing fast, and promises soon to be a place of importance, which will need attention. The condition of the roads connecting Tolaga with Gisborne will always make visiting the place one of difficulty and a serious tax on the time of the staff of this office. During the year the hotel at Tolaga was burnt down. An up-to-date structure is being built, provided with proper sanitary arrangements, septic tauk, &c. I have been consulted by the architect on these matters, and have given him my advice. Tokomaru, Waipiro, Tuparoa, and Awanui. The Natives in this locality have shown a very commendable action in subscribing money for a hospital or nursing home in their midst, and this will be erected in the near future. I have had no news from these places during the past year, and that may be considered good news. Their isolated position precludes visits that are not absolutely necessary. Clyde, Wairoa. This town is beginning to move ahead, and the population is increasing. Across the river, in what is known as North Clyde, the population has received the larger augmentation. Several new buildings have been erected, including a public hall of ambitious pretensions. The people of North Clyde have rated themselves for the construction of a large storm-water sewer, which, by carrying off the surface water, should prove a factor towards improving the-sanitary condition of the locality. Many of the residents in the vicinity of the sewer are anxious to connect their house-drains. This I have refused to permit unless the household sewage is first passed through a septic tank. Four cases of enteric have been notified in Wairoa during the year, and, though this is less than in former years, it is more than there should be. Wairoa has only one case less than Napier, while Napier has ten times the population : but with neither water nor drainage, we cannot expect much. We must congratulate ourselves that things are not, worse. I trust that the time is not far distant when a scheme for the drainage of the front of the town will be considered. The number of cases of tuberculosis that is notified 3'ear after year, chiefly amongst the Natives, is a disquieting feature. Nuhaka. There have been four notifications of enteric from this small and open township—one less than last year,, but I have no hesitation in saying that they are four too many. lam of opinion that the insanitary condition of some of the dairy-sheds is mainly responsible for the cases of enteric. During the past year Waipawa Licensing Committee obtained my services to inspect the numerous hotels under their jurisdiction. On many of them I reported adversely, most of these being in the outlying places, and the matter will be considered at the annual meeting of the Committee in June. Many of the owners of those hotels that have been reported adversely on have called on me with reference to the recommendations I made, and show- a laudable disposition to carry out the necessary reforms. Two of the hotels in this district that required attention—one at Waipukurau and the other at Takapau —have been burnt down, and up-to-date structures are being erected-