H.—3l

54

Special Inspections. * The following special inspections were made by the District Health Officer and other officers : — Te Kuiti : Re site proposed water-supply, drainage outfall, and sanitary scheme. Frankton : In relation to piggery and boiling-down works. Waihi : Re drainage-works. Morrinsville : As to site for nightsoil depot. Hokiauga County, Rawene, Kohukohu, &c. : Re sanitary matters Mount Eden Gaol : General sanitary condition. Westfield : Boiling-down works. Motuihi : Cadet camp (two visits). Te Aroha : Re loan for extension of sewerage system. Cambridge Sanatorium : Removal of shelters, rfec. (several). Karere Camp : One. Point Chevalier : Re infectious-disease establishment with Hospital Board. St. John's College: Re drainage. Veterans' Home : Re ventilation. Defence Department Work. —lnspection of cadet camps were made at the Domain during Lork Kitchener's visit, and at Motuihi twice. Inspection of Territorial camps were made at the Domain and at Papatoetoe as to water-supply. Eleven trips were made to Wellington in connection with laboratory work, the preparation of regulations under the Food and Drugs Act, and the legislation required in regard to buildingareas. One trip was made to Wanganui to give expert evidence in an Arbitration Court case. Sanitary Condition of the Native Back in thk Auckland District. A number of outbreaks of disease, principally typhoid, occurred among the Natives throughout the province. The following is a list of the principal ones of which we became aware: — Ohinemuri County : Dysentery and other complaints at Rotokau, Komata, and Paeroa (28th February). Parakiwai —Eight cases of enteric; three deaths (Ist June). King-country : Typhoid at Arita Maori camp (J 7th May). Pouto (Kaipara) : A number of cases of scarlet fever (Bth June). Waharoa (Moirinsville) : Scarlet fever (20th June). Waikato: Matuhuru and Te Hoe —Typhoid (4th August). Doubtful as to number. Many deaths of Maoris were reported. Bay of Plenty: Te Matai, Kahika, Waitangi (Maketu Riding) — Several cases of typhoid were attended by Nurse Akenehi Hei (4th October) reaching to Te Puke. It was learned that at least five deaths had previously occurred. Te Kapa—Typhoid (18th August). Paeroa : Several cases of typhoid, traceable to the patients having attended a tangi at Ngahoitoitoi (27th October). In addition to these a number of isolated cases were dealt with, and doubtless very many others of which we knew nothing. The grossly isanitary condition of the Native race is a very serious matter, since it is a menace to the whole of the white population. The efforts of the past ten years to encourage the Maoris to adopt a system of local government as regards sanitary matters lias proved a dismal failure. With the exception, perhaps, of the settlement at Ohinemutu no progress has been made, and the Natives, having lost most of the more wholesome habits of their race, retain all the more objectionable ones. So long as there is no compulsion to register births or deaths, or notify the occurrence of infectious disease, it is impossible for the Health Department to deal properly with the subject, as experience shows that widespread epidemics may be in progress among the Maoris without the departmental officers knowing anything about it. The Native Department disclaims any responsibility as to Native sanitation, being satisfied with a few subsidies to medical men for medical attendance on indigent cases. The remedy is to treat the Natives exactly on the same lines as Europeans, and teach them, by legal process if necessary, the necessity for observing the laws of health. To do this a special staff is required who can devote their whole time to the work, as the Native soon wearies of well-doing and needs the stimulus of constant supervision. General Work of the Office. Owing to the outbreak of plague and the various changes in methods of administration, the volume of clerical work during the year has been very heavy. Each successive year brings newresponsibilities, and, consequently, an increase in the work falling on the office staff. Mr. Symons's return from Cambridge Sanatorium to resume his former position was therefore very welcome, and enabled Mr. Taylor to assume full charge of the now complicated accountancy work for the Health Department as well as for the St. Helens Hospital —a position he has filled with conspicuous success. Miss Leonard's duties as typist have so increased that the question of further assistance must be considered.