H.—3l

Port Health Inspection. One hundred and sixty-eight overseas ships were inspected by the Port Health Officer. Fiftyeight infirm and prohibited persons were dealt with under the Immigration Restriction Act. Inspector Frew has carried out good work in connection with sanitary supervision of ships and other duties for the Department in regard to ships. Special attention has been paid to rat infestation. Quarantine Station. This, under pressure, can now accommodate 476 people. There are forty-one hospital beds and 435 general. A new telephone-cable has been laid to the station, and certain necessary repairs made to the buildings, which are in good order. Epidemic Organization. During the year I submitted to His Worship the Mayor of Wellington a draft outline of epidemic organization. Similar drafts were also prepared and forwarded to the Chairmen of the surrounding local authorities. I also conferred with the Chairman and administrative officers of the Hospital Board re, emergency hospital accommodation. Child Welfare Act. The Act of the last session is proving of help in connection with children living under bad conditions. Picture-theatres. Throughout the district there is room for improvement in ventilation in some of these. It is hoped to collect more scientific data upon these. Hotel Inspections. The standard of sanitation is good. There is room for improvements, however, in the smaller hotels with regard to the provision of sanitary conveniences. In some cases it would appear necessary to amend local by-laws on the matter. Industrial Hygiene. Joint inspections with Labour Department by Medical Officer of Health and Inspectors. Special inquiries were made with regard to the spray-gun process in motor-shops. Inquiries are still being made re basic slag and adoption of approved handling thereof. I hope in the future to devote more time to inspection of factories. Although the standard of health of the factory worker in Wellington is probably superior to that in many other parts of the world, an opportunity presents itself for healtjj propaganda therein to the workers, such as at health week. Administration. During the year the closest co-operation and co-ordination existed between the Medical Officer of Health and the Divisions of School Medical Work and Ante-natal Hygiene. The location of these Divisions in the District Office building materially assists this object. In conclusion, I desire to express my appreciation of the valuable services rendered by nurses, Inspectors, the District Clerk, and the general office staff. TARANAKI-HOROWHENUA HEALTH DISTRICT. Dr. J. Boyd, Medical Officer of Health. Part 2. I have the honour to submit my annual report for the year ]926. During the year efforts were made to induce those counties in my district which are not provided with proper by-laws to agree to a conjoint by-law on similar lines to that lately agreed to by the Hawke's Bay county councils. Several conferences were held, and it would now appear that the necessary steps will be taken shortly to have a conjoint by-law drafted. Water-supplies and Drainage. New Plymouth Borough Council placed before the ratepayers a loan proposal for the purpose of extending and improving the existing water-supply. This is a rather ambitious scheme and includes (in fact, is largely concerned with) an. extension of the borough hydro-electric works. The present water-supply is derived mainly from the Mangamahoe Stream, which varies greatly in quality. The new proposal would impound the waters of the Waiwakaiho River (a good water) and the Mangamahoe Stream. An area of from 90 to 100 acres would be flooded to a maximun depth of 90 ft. This proposal was not carried when first voted on, but it is again being placed before the ratepayers. A comprehensive sewerage scheme has been prepared by the Borough Engineer, New Plymouth, and is ready to place before the ratepayers if the water-supply-loan proposal is carried. A sufficient and satisfactory|water-supply is badly needed by New Plymouth, and a sewerage system is a matter of equal urgency.

42