H.—3l

Infectious Diseases. Enteric Fever. —Stray cases of this disease continue to occur in this locality from time to time, and investigation has in large part failed to find the original source of the infection. Of those cases definitely traced, two occurred as the result of drinking water from a stream at Hanmer which was contaminated by sewage gaining entrance to it through the effluents from the septic tanks discharging into this stream. A patient contracted the infection at the Timaru Hospital, probably from a patient in the bed adjoining who was suffering from this complaint. Diphtheria and scarlatina were below the average for the last five years, diphtheria particularly so. The outstanding feature for the year was the low incidence in lobar and also influenzal pneumonia. A case of pellagra was notified from the Ashburton district, and this case, which ended fatally, I am of opinion constituted a true case of this disease (see mv special report to you of the 22nd June, 1925). Poliomyelitis was the outstanding feature for the first quarter of 1925, the epidemic commencing on the 24th January and terminating approximately about the 20th April. Special reports on this disease have already been furnished. General Sanitation. During 1925 sewers have been laid in Redcliffs and Clifton, and septic tanks installed for purification purposes. The Christchurch Drainage Board is progressing steadily with its drainage extension and the sinking of the various pumping-stations. The work is slower than anticipated owing to the amount of rainfall during last winter and early spring, this causing the subsoil waters to rise, and the work was thereby considerably hampered. The Malcolm Avenue septic tank has been converted into a pumping-station, and has not afforded any further trouble. The Christchurch Drainage Board are also attending to subsoil drainage in those areas where the subsoil-water remains unduly high, thereby tending to improve these low-lying parts from a health and a plant-growing point of view. Water Timaru has had the water-supply brought in to the northern portion of the borough, so that there will be very little further to be done before the. whole borough is reticulated with wholesome water throughout. The Rangiora Borough Council has had a 6 ft. well sunk in the vicinity of Ayers Street, and this is yielding quite a good supply of water. The source of this water is from shingle which carries a good supply of water, evidently derived from the River Ashley. Rubbish-dumps. The only dump about which I have received fairly constant complaint has been that under the charge of the Grey Council, located in the vicinity of Boundary Street. This is now very much improved, and I hope will continue to improve still further, as I have forbidden this particular Council to deposit anything other than indestructible material in this dump. The complaints were brought about by the deposit of organic matter, particularly of vegetable matter, and no special rule seems to have been followed with regard to the covering of this material, so that considerable aerial nuisance was noticeable. Food and Drugs Work. Food and drug work has been carried out as usual, though the prosecutions resulting from informations laid have been smaller in number than for the previous year. (See schedules attached hereto setting out the recovery of fines, and contaminated foods. Also enclosed are statistics for the current year, 1925, and showing the average for the previous five years. This latter schedule was kindly prepared by Dr. Dawson, my assistant, at my request, and I would hereby acknowledge my indebtedness to him for completing these figures.) Changes during Year. Mr. Grigg, District Analyst, succeeded Mr. Bickerton in carrying out the analyses under the headings of food and drugs required by this Department. An outstanding feature of the year was the closing of the Leper Station at Quail Island by the transfer of the patients from Lyttelton to Mokogai. In conclusion I would thank my staff, both inspectorial and clerical, for the capable manner in which they have supported me throughout the year. This loyal support, together with a right sense of duty, has contributed largely to the success of the operations of the Department in this district for the year now cited. SECTION 4.—OTAGO-SOUTHLAND HEALTH DISTRICT. Dr. Ceawshaw, Medical Officer of Health ; Dr. Shore, Assistant Medical Officer of Health. I beg to submit the following report on the Otago-Southland Health District for the year ended 31st March last. Notifiable Diseases. During the calendar year 1925 the notifiable diseases reported numbered 883, as against 815 in 1924 and 729 in 1923, being an increase of 68 more than the 1924 figures and 154 more than the year

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