H.—3l

102

Typhoid or Enteric Fever. Plight cases of this disease were notified, and there was one death. Of these, one case was imported from the North Island, one was a case contracted by a nurse while attending to an enteric patient, while the rest all originated in scattered country places. Scarlet Fever. Six cases were reported. No deaths. Careful isolation and disinfection prevented the spread of the disease. Tuberculosis. There is an increase in the number of cases reported, due not so much to an actual increase in cases of this nature, but rather to increased vigilance in notifying the disease by the medical practitioners of the district. Accommodation for phthisical patients is now being provided by the Wairau and Picton Hospital Boards, the former having four shelter-sheds each containing one bed in connection with the Blenheim Hospital, while the Picton Board has recently erected a shelter with two beds in connection with the Picton Hospital. In both districts the annexes have been utilised and appreciated. Private Tents. Several consumptives have been, and are still being, treated at their own homes in many parts of the district, but I have no statistics relating to these private cases. In many of the recorded cases, notifications were only received when the patient was in extremis. Puerperal Septicemia. Only one case was reported, which recovered. Water-supply. Marlborough is a well-watered district, streams, creeks, and artesian wells providing a plentiful supply of good drinking water. Picton and Havelock each possess a good high-pressure gravity service, while the inhabitants of Blenheim obtain their supplies from private artesian wells yielding a fine supply of good water. The recent drought scarcely affected the water-supply of the towns, but in some of the country districts the supply of water became very limited. • Hotels. A very large amount of work has been done during the year in connection with the hotels of the province. All have been thoroughly overhauled, defects of buildings and sanitation pointed out, and in every case the recommendations of the Department have been cheerfully carried out. Drainage. At Picton a loan has been carried for the purpose of draining the central area of the town in accordance with plans prepared by Mr. Leslie Reynolds; there is every reason for thinking that these works will be completed within a few months. At Blenheim there is an urgent need for improvements in the drainage of the town; this is a matter which should claim the immediate attention of the municipal authorities there. In country districts the sanitary appliances are still too often of the most primitive description. In connection with this I may remark that far more cases of infectious disease are reported from country districts than from the towns. A septic tank with aerating-beds has been installed at the Picton Hospital, and is working most satisfactorily. Maoris. Two pas exist in Marlborough, neither of which is very thickly inhabited, while a small number of Maoris are also scattered through the district, principally in the Sounds. Chesttroubles, due to bad hygiene, improper clothing, and crowding into badly ventilated dwellings, are common, so also are contagious skin-diseases accelerated by the same causes. Dilapidated and Insanitary Houses. Several houses which had become uninhabitable from old age have been destroyed; others have been put into repair in accordance with the recommendations of the Department. Inspection of Dairies. A considerable amount of work in this matter has been carried out in conjunction with the Agricultural Department. lam especially indebted to Inspector Moore, of the Stock Department, for assistance rendered. In conclusion, I have to express my entire satisfaction with the manner in which Inspector Johnston has carried out his duties. I have, &c, W. E. Redman, M.R.C.S., Eng., &c, Acting District Health Officer for Marlborough.