H. —31

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Pulmonary Tuberculosis. —Cases notified, 137. Rate per 10,000, 9-6. Death-rate for urban area, 5-24 per 10,000. Control: Contact is kept as far as possible with all cases. Every six months the register is checked. Child Contacts : All child contacts are followed up by the School Medical Officer. This work is increasing, and, as the years go by, there will be a considerable number of children under observation. Enteric Fever. —Two cases were reported, but only one proved to be enteric. This case contracted the infection in the Auckland Province. Poliomyelitis.—Five cases. No deaths. Pneumonia.—One hundred and forty-seven cases notified. Rate per 10,000, 10-4. Sixteen deaths. It will be noted that there was an increased rate in 1928. This is probably to some extent due to the fact that a system of notification from the Ambulance now exists in Wellington City. Puerperal Fever. —Full-time cases : Nineteen cases notified. Three deaths. Of the nineteen full-time cases notified, thirteen occurred in maternity hospitals, and six in their own homes. Of the total births in the Wellington metropolitan area (2,461 for 1928), 1,959 took place in maternity hospitals, 702 of which were in St. Helens. Chronic Lead Poisoning. — Three cases were reported from a porcelain establishment. In conjunction with the Labour Department, full observance of the Lead Process Regulations has been insisted upon. The company have secured the services of a medical man to clinically examine all employees monthly. Washing-appliances have been installed and also exhaust-fans. A great deal depends upon the personal element, and I think that we have required as much as can be asked for. Measles and German Measles.—Although there was some incidence in these diseases, there was not the prevalancy which existed in 1927. Infantile Mortality.—34-54 per 1,000 births. General Administration and Health Conditions. Wellington City.—Population, 103,100. City Council Organization. —With the advent of the new City Engineer at the end of 1926, the sanitary staff has been placed under better supervision. Both infectious-diseases work and general sanitary work are well carried out. As usual, the Medical Officer of Health and Senior Inspector Middleton attended to many matters concerning local administration in the city, and paid many visits of inspection. During the course of the year many complaints from diverse sources were referred to this office and the necessary collaboration with the City Council carried out. Garbage : As mentioned last year, garbage-carts now have folding canvas covers suspended on a frame. Much still depends, however, upon the dustman. When providing fresh vehicles the Council might consider whether or not the new type of completely closed-in dustless vehicle now in use in some parts of England might be given a trial. Disposal of Garbage : The destructor and masticator at Rongotai continue to do good work. The masticator at Rongotai has done good work in that it has assisted very materially in the reclamation of the sandhills area, part of which is now being laid out as an air base. Stables and Fly Nuisance : With the continued increase of motor traffic the number of stables in the city continues to decrease. In 1923 there were 209 stables ; there are now only fifty-four. During the year ended 31st March, 1929, sixteen stables ceased to exist. The experimental work re the fly nuisance commenced the previous summer by Inspector Cowdrey was finalized during the summer just ended. The experiments indicated that the application of sodium arsenite to manure, &c., appears to be the best chemical available. The information has been transmitted to surrounding local authorities. A full report of the work carried out has previously been submitted to you. Water-supplies : These continue to be supervised by inspection and chemical and bacteriological tests. A Paterson chloronome for use at the top Karori dam has been ordered by the City Council for use in emergency. Tests of various streams in the Upper Hutt area have been made at the request of the City Engineer on behalf of the Water Board. Investigation of possible sources of future supply for Wellington and surrounding areas has been taking place during the year. The Wellington City Council are not negligent of the need for new supplies in future years. The Board of Health, on the application of the City Council, decided to issue a requisition for £38,752 for water and drainage reticulation in various suburban areas. Drainage : The Board of Health, on the application of the City Council, decided to issue a requisition for the entire work of storm-water drainage at Miramar. The total amount embraced by the requisition, including the special amount for water and drainage, is £14,800. The completion of the Miramar scheme will remove a source of complaint which has existed for several years, and should make conditions satisfactory in what has been one of the most rapidly growing suburbs in Wellington. With the completion of the above works I think it may be said that Wellington is probably the most completely reticulated and sewered city in the Dominion. City Milk-supply : The municipal milk-depot has had another very satisfactory year. Plans and proposals re the new station have been under close consideration. I have perused the final plans for the new station, which will be commenced shortly. During the year bacteriological and chemical checks of the milk from various portions of the sterilizing and bottling plant were carried out. These were very satisfactory. Near-by Farmers' Supply : Inspector Rawlinson, under the City Council, continues to do good work in the supervision and sampling of this supply.

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