115

H.—3l

There is a desire, too, that some scheme of measurements, &c, should be furnished of a uniform kind for their common use, so that observations may be made and recorded according to a fixed method throughout the Dominion. The above report, though it shows nothing sensational, reveals steady and diligent work by my Inspectors, to all of whom, I think, praise is due for intelligence and diligence and for the interest they have shown in the performance of their sometimes delicate duties. And I have also to record that local authorities are showing greater and increasing appreciation of their functions and of the assistance our Department is able to give them in carrying out these functions. I may mention, too, that yvith other Departments of the public service our relations have always been of the most harmonious nature mutually working together for the public benefit. I must not omit to mention the tact displayed by my Clerk, Mr. Birch, in meeting people coming to the office with complaints or seeking for information. He takes a real and lively interest in the details of his yvork, and smooths many an angry complainant yvho imagines he is being unduly pressed upon by the sanitary authorities. Visits and Inspections of Places made throughout the District. The following towns, villages, &c, yvere visited and inspected: — By Dr. Ogston: Arroyvtown, Balclutha, Bannockburu, Bluff, Catlin's, Cromwell, Dunkeld, Dipton, Gibbston, Gore, Invercargill, Josephville, Kawarau, Keyv, Lawrence, Lumsden, Middlemarch, Nightcaps, Nuggets, Owaka, Palmerston South, Port Molyneux, Pounawea, Queenstown, Riverton, Rock and Pillar, Roxburgh, Rough Ridge, Sutton, St. Bathan's, Tapanui, Winton, Whare Flat, Waikaka, Waikaka Valley, and parts of Flagstaff district—or 36 places in all. And to these places 51 visits were paid. By Inspector Cameron: Aparima, Balfour, Bluff, Clifton, Colac, Dipton, Drummond's Ferry, Edendale, Fortrose, Gore, Gummie's Bush, Keyv, Josephville, Lome, Lumsden, Makarewa, Mataura, Menzie's Ferry, Niagara, Nightcaps, Ocean Beach, Orepuki, Otautau, Papatotara, Quarry Hills, Richmond Grove, Riversdale, Riverton, Round Hill, Seayvard Bush, Steyvart Island, Te Tua, Tokonui, Waianiyva, Waihoaka, Waikaka, Waikaka Valley, Waikawa, Waikawa Valley, Waikiyvi, Waimahaka, Waimatuku, Winton, Wallacetown, Wallacetown Junction, West. Plains, Woodlands, Wyndham—or 48 places in all. And to these, 162 visits were paid. By Inspector Gladstone: Alexandra South, Arrowtown, Balclutha, Burnside, Cambrian, Clarksville, Clinton, Clyde, Cromwell, Ettrick, Evans Flat, Gabriel's Gully, Green Island, Hawea Flat, Helensbrook, Houipapa, Kaitangata, Lauder, Layvrence, Linburn, Loyvburn, Lumsden, Matakanui, Middlemarch, Miller's Flat, Milton, Mosgiel, Mussel Bay, Ophir, Outram, Owaka, Palmerston South, Pembroke, Port Chalmers, Quartz Reef Point, Queenstown, Ravensbourne, Rough Ridge, Roxburgh, St. Bathan's, Sayvyer's Bay, 'Sutton, Tapanui, Tuapeka Flat, Waipiata, Wetherstone's, Waikouaiti—or 48 in all. And to these, 95 visits were paid. By Inspector Craighead : The. scheme of house-to-house inspection, begun last year by Inspector Gladstone, was completed in the suburbs of Dunedin, and that of the City of Dunedin begun by Inspector Craighead. Details of this inspection are given below. This released Inspector Gladstone and enabled him to commence similar inspections in the country toyvns of my district, some of which are noyv also detailed below. Besides this work outside the City of Dunedin and in country districts, I and Inspectors Gladstone and Craighead were fully engaged making inspections and performing other duties within the city and suburbs. It will be seen that we have, either alone or in company, visited 105 places within my district, paying 306 visits to these, during the year. House-to-house Inspections of Towns on which Reports were sent to Town Councils, with Comments and Requests to make Improvements. Premises Defects „ .-. . , , , Percentage, round. B Dunedin City (part of) ... ... ... 1,714 929 5420 Roslyn , ... ... ... ... 1,150 386 3356 St. Kilda ... ... ... ... 620 340 5484 Caversham (ward) ... <"" ... ... 1,126 552 48-13 South Dunedin (ward) ... ... ... 1,126 825 75-66 Country towns — Owaka ... ... ... ... 62 18 2903 Queenstown... ... ... ... 260 89 3423 Tapanui ... ... ... ... 142 37 26-15 St. Bathan's ... ... ... 68 25 36-76 Cambrian ... ... ... ... 11 3 27-27 Clyde ... ... ... .... 53 16 30-18 Alexandra South ... ... ... 226 92 41 -50 Ettrick ... ... ... ... 19 4 21-05 Miller's Flat ... ... ... 42 4 9\52 Clinton ... ... ... ... 98 75 76-53 Middlemarch ... ... ... 55 18 3272 Lumsden ... ... ... ... 92 55 5978 Matakanui ... ... ... ... 9 2 2222 East Invercargill ... ... ... 244 185 75"82 Avenal ... ... ... ... 115 74 64\34 Totals and percentage ... ... 7,232 3,729 51-56