H.—3l

47

Food and Drugs. A general all-round improvement has been effected in doth districts in the condition of foodsellers' premises, and vendors generally realize that it is in their best interests to sell food under hygienic conditions, and have for the most part co-operated to that end. Samples of foodstuffs, especially the staple articles of diet, such as bread, milk, butter, &c., have been obtained for analysis, and in some instances it has been found necessary to institute legal proceedings for breaches of the regulations, but for the most part warning notices have sufficed to effect the necessary improvementIt was found necessary to institute several prosecutions against vendors of liquor-samples which were not true to label. The labelling of foodstuffs and drugs has also been given a good deal of attention. Native Health. Good work has been done amongst the Native population by the district nurses and Inspectors, and the educational side of their work has not been neglected. Lectures have been given on publichealth matters, and departmental publications distributed amongst the Natives. There has been little disease amongst them, despite the dry summer, which caused an acute shortage of water and consequent resort to doubtful sources of supply. They were warned to boil all water before using and against the danger of typhoid fever (t.aipo piwa) should they neglect this precaution, and this advice was largely followed, so that no serious trouble was caused. The new water-supply installed at Te Hapua Pa, Mongonui County, is not yet a success. General living-conditions have greatly improved, and those Maoris who have taken up dairying are immeasurably ahead of the others in this respect. In North Auckland they have been encouraged to take up tobacco-growing, and this so far promises to be a success, as the crops are satisfactory. The Native-school teachers have greatly assisted in the case of minor sickness by advice and treatment with medicines supplied by the Department and by notifying cases of sickness which have come under their notice. General. During the year a special investigation regarding the incidence of goitre was made by Dr. R. A. Shore in the Thames and Coromandel districts, samples of soil and water being taken for analysis and some 3,500 school-children subjected to an examination. The work of the School Medical and Dental Services has been harmoniously and satisfactorily carried on, and good progress has been made. Work has also been done in connection with the inspection of hotels and cemeteries, of offensive trades premises, cattle-saleyards, and the condemnation of insanitary buildings. In all these matters definite improvement was effected, and the whole work of the year has tended to the betterment of the health conditions of both the districts. SECTION 3.—SOUTH AUCKLAND HEALTH DISTRICT. Dr. Boyd, Medical Officer of Health. Infectious Diseases. A review of infectious diseases notified during the year reveals the fact that, with the exception of diphtheria and enteric fever, of which disease several minor outbreaks occurred, the position has been fairly satisfactory throughout the year. Such diseases as influenza, pneumonia, infantile paralysis, &c., which in previous years have assumed epidemic proportions, were noticeably absent during the year. Several small outbreaks of enteric fever occurred during the year, the Native population being principally affected. During January seven cases occurred in one household at Whakarewarewa, Rotorua, and in April eleven cases from the Reporoa and Ngapuna Settlements. Cases also occurred at the Waitetuna Maori Settlement, Raglan district, and in December six cases, one of which proved fatal, occurred at the Waikeria Borstal Institute. All the inmates and staff were given anti-typhoid inoculation, and all precautions to prevent the spread of infection were taken. The Prisons Department was also advised to install a septic tank and up-to-date drainage, and this work is to be put in hand. All Maori contacts of enteric fever have, whenever possible, been given anti-typhoid inoculation by the district nurses to Maoris. Sanitation and Drainage. The general sanitation of the district has been fairly satisfactory throughout the year, and careful supervision has been exercised over all matters affecting the health of the community. Attention has been regularly given to the conditions existing at nightsoil and refuse dumps and public utilities generally. Improvements have for the most part been effected as occasion arose, and conditions are fairly satisfactory. Most of the boroughs and Town Boards of the district lack compulsory rubbish-removal services, most of the refuse being removed by private carters to tips provided by the local authorities or buried on the householders' sections. The rubbish-tips have been kept in good order, and such of the local bodies who have nightsoil services have given them due attention. Water-supplies. Close supervision has been exercised over the various water-supplies throughout the district, and, as required, samples have been obtained for bacteriological and chemical examinations. The results have been of value in determining the necessary action and in enabling the Department to urge improvements upon the local authorities concerned.