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conditions of living are lessening this illness materially. It is difficult to do anything with advanced cases other than to insist that isolation is strictly carried out, and in this respect the Natives are acting, as a rule, to the instructions given them. Incipient cases could, of course, be treated better in sanatoria, but again it is a difficult matter to arrange for sanatorium treatment. However, the number of cases amongst the Natives, I am pleased to state, is lessening considerably. Maori Councils.—l am pleased indeed to report of the continued good work of these bodies and their various Village Committees. The by-laws governing the sanitary conditions are, as a general rule, being rigidly enforced, and the results are obvious. These Councils are ever changing their personnel, which entails a lot of office-work and supervision. During the past year I have given more personal attention to these bodies than previously, and the results have been well worth all the extra labour entailed. We are experiencing many difficulties owing to the Ratana movement finding its way into the working of our Councils and Village Committees. In many instances our picked men have been approached to join the Ratana committees, which are very much in evidence, and in some cases we have lost their services. It appears as if an organized attempt is being made to undermine and to usurp the duties of our Councils by the Ratana element, and I have decided the only method to adopt is to visit from time to time our Council members and Village Committees so as to rebut the Ratana propaganda. Our Councils are specially useful in granting money from their funds for the installation of water-supplies, and, as the amounts are subsidized by the Department, some most useful work is being done. Additional by-laws have been approved, and are now operating, which deal more in the direction of the moral welfare of the people, and are acting splendidly. The Maniapoto Maori Council, situated in the Waikato and King-country areas, have passed a by-law at my direction dealing with the supply of methylated spirits, the drinking of which was becoming a menace to the Native people. It has done a great deal to minimize the habit. The people themselves welcome the by-law, which prohibits the sale unless by order signed by the Chairman of the Council and countersigned by the official member — in this instance a police constable. Something of the kind appeared most necessary, as the health of the Natives by the drinking of such was becoming seriously undermined. Water-supplies.—The inauguration of water-supplies has claimed considerable attention from my Division this year, and applications are continuously being made for assistance by the Natives towards this object. The largest supply put in this year was at the Native settlement of Judea (Tauranga), at a cost of £150 —half the amount being paid by the Tauranga Maori Council and subsidized by the Department on a £l-for-£l basis. The work consists of a bore sunk to a depth of 80 ft., stands and tanks, with windmill, and pipes laid on to all houses to reticulate the whole settlement. The water in this area was previously drawn from swamp holes, and sickness was ever present. Two supplies have been installed by the Matatua Maori Council (Whakatane County) at a total cost of £110. The full amount has been paid from the funds of the Council, a subsidy not being applied for. A further supply is contemplated, at an estimated cost of £240, particulars of which are not yet complete, and upon which a subsidy will be requisitioned. The Pewhairangi Maori Council (Bay of Islands district) have put in two supplies, the total cost being £75, without any claim being made for subsidies. A further supply is being contemplated, when a subsidy will be asked for : the approximate cost in this instance is £80. The Maniapoto Council (Waikato County) has completed a supply at a cost of £45, on which a subsidy is to be applied for. The Horouta Council have schemes in hand for water-supplies in that portion of the district between and including Te Kaha and Maraenui, in the Bay of Plenty area, full particulars of which are not yet complete. These supplies are located and laid out by an officer of my Division, and great success has so far attended our efforts. As pure water and uncontaminated supplies are perhaps one of the most potent factors towards establishing good health, I intend to spare no effort in prosecuting this most necessary work. The Natives themselves are very interested, and the success obtained at one settlement soon spreads to another, and applications for the services of my officer who attends to these matters are keenly sought and appreciated. Sanitary Improvements. —Special attention continues to be directed in improving the sanitation of the villages and the provision of latrine accommodation. Very great improvement has taken place in this direction, and with the exception of a very few settlements these matters have become an ordinary routine measure with the Natives. At almost all communal meeting-houses latrines are provided for both sexes, and sanitary squads, when large gatherings are in progress, are appointed to carry out all necessary work incidental thereto. These squads also attend to the disposal of refuse and clean-up work generally. Village Committees under the jurisdiction of the Councils are instructed regarding all sanitary matters by correspondence and personal visits. The various Inspectors of Health and our district, nurses also give valuable advice, and their services are much appreciated by the people. lam well satisfied with the improved sanitary conditions generally, and with continued supervision look forward to still further improved conditions. Inoculation. —Anti-typhoid inoculation still continues to be carried out as a routine measure throughout the whole of the districts as opportunity and circumstances permit. This method of combating the disease is, I consider, our "sheet anchor," and no doubt it accounts for the lessened incidence of typhoid fever. Of course, good water-supplies and improved sanitary conditions play their part well, and with inoculation carried out systematically in addition to the improved conditions of living we can, I feel sure, look forward to this disease being a relic of the past, or at any rate reduced to a minimum. It is worthy of note that of thirty cases of typhoid fever at the settlement of Te Mingi (Mangonui) two years ago, not one case has been reported since then : inoculation and

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