H.-31

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has now been almost rebuilt, several modern houses taking the place of old insanitary buildings which were condemned. During the prevalence of the smallpox epidemic in the north systematic vaccination of Maoris in this district has been carried out. The District Health Officer, Christchurch, reports : — Throughout the year tuberculin treatment was given in Tuahiwi and Little River pas. In Tuahiwi 67 children were under observation, and an average of 38 received tuberculin injections and iodine-painting every week. At the last examination in the year 25 per cent, of this number showed disease arrested. In Little River 9 children were treated, and with one exception made satisfactory progress. In these two pas special drill and breathing exercises were given in the schools, the children were weighed every week, and weekly visits paid to the homes and instruction given to the women about diet, ventilation, means of preventing spread of disease, &c. Frequent visits were paid to Te Waipounamu College for Maori girls, where several pupils were under observation. In Rapaki, Temuka, Port Levy, and Moeraki all the homes were visited and the school-children examined and treatment advised where necessary. During the year 43 children were taken to the Christchurch Hospital for the removal of tonsils and adenoids. July was spent assisting the doctors to vaccinate the Natives in the different settlements. (0.) SANITARY INSPEI TION. The District Health Officer, Auckland, reports : — The work of the Sanitary Inspectors resulting from the smallpox outbreak has been exceptionally heavy during the year, and without exception they have responded, with credit to themselves and to the Department, to the unusual call on their services. Their untiring efforts and their willingness to face any duties, no matter how dangerous or disagreeable, have provided the only satisfactory feature of the epidemic. Whatever criticism may be offered to the Department throughout this affair we can at least point to the work of these men with satisfaction as deserving the highest praise and the gratitude of the community generally. The formal records given below offer b :t a small indication of the heavy work which our Inspectors have done throughout an unsually busy year. Two changes in the permanent staff have been made (luring the year. The work in the north necessitated Hv» appointment of a second officer, therefore Mr. Skynner was detailed for duty in the Bay of Islands Hospital District, while Mr. Shenton was appointed for the MarsdenKaipara Board's work, and began his duties on the Ist March. The rapidly increasing population in the Waikato district necessitated the appointment of a second Inspector to relieve Mr. Bennett. Mr. Calderwood was appointed to the southern part of the Waikato Hospital District, with headquarters at Taumarunui. Mr. Bennett retains the northern district, and this decrease in area enabled us to accept the offer of the Hamilton Borough Council to appoint him Sanitary Inspector for the borough. The local authorities throughout the district have increased their subsidies to secure the services of the Inspectors for the local work. The District Health Officer, Christchurch, reports : — Both the Lyttelton and New Brighton Boroughs have delegated their powers of sanitary inspections to the North Canterbury Hospital Board, the former borough paying £50 for this inspection and also for the inspection of any drainage and plumbing work, and the latter borough paying £15. During the year the Oaniaru Borough notified the Department that it wished to discontinue the payment of £60 a year for the services of Inspector McKenzie. Inspector McKenzie was subsequently transferred to Christchurch as Inspector of Weights and Measures. Special inspections have been made by Inspectors in connection with the following matters : — North Canterbury : Seventy-four hotels were inspected in the Christchurch, Avon, Riccarton, and Lyttelton Licensing Districts. Drainage of Christchurch abattoirs. Offensive trade at Sockburn. Drainage from offensive trade into Heathcote and Avon Rivers. Yaldhurst camp, water-supply. Ashburton : Preparation of plans and specifications have been made of several private premises in the counties. Grey: Supervision of alterations to hospital buildings and installation of electric light and steam heating appliances. Invercargill : Supervision and testing of drainage at the Southland Hospital. i Hotel Inspections. The District Health Officer, Auckland, reports:— During the year 418 sanitary inspections have been made, and reports in many cases furnished to the Licensing Benches. 'I his system of co-operation with these licensing bodies has been productive of most satisfactory reforms as regards the condition of the building. The District Health Officer, Christchurch, reports: — In furtherance of the object of resolution 10, passed by the Conference on the Administrative Control and Treatment of Tuberculosis, " That it be a recommendation to the Licensing Com mittees that periodica] cleansing of hotels Ik- carried out," a circular letter was sent to all Licensing Committees in the district, suggesting that the best way to give effect to ibis recommendation would be' to instruct the reporting police officer to make a special note in his annual report as to the cleanliness or otherwise of the hotels, and an offer was made of the assistance of the Department's Sanitary Inspectors if required.