. —3l.

Puerperal Sepsis.—Only isolated cases occurred, and in every instance where private Hospitals were concerned the precautions taken were effective in preventing further spread. Tuberculosis. —With the addition of some thirty new shelters at Waipiata Sanatorium the district is now very well served in respect of accommodation of this nature. Valuable work has been carried out by Nurse Inspector Jeffery in visiting the homes of tuberculous cases and advising patients and contacts as to the precautions to adopt. During the past year special attention has been paid to the child contacts, and short histories have been prepared for the School Medical Officers, giving particulars of illnesses, home conditions, &c. Food and Drugs. Food analysed. —During the year 977 samples of various foodstuffs were taken for analysis, and appropriate action was taken where samples did not comply. The number of food-premises inspected was 2,245, and the number of premises where defects occurred was 259. Soda-water. —Samples of soda-water have been obtained from every cordial-factory and carbonator in the district and tested for the presence of lead. A considerable number were found to contain lead in varying quantities, and the proprietors have been warned that an overhaul of their plants is necessary. One sample contained as much as 20 parts per million of lead, equivalent to nearly \ grain of lead per pint, the contamination in this case being due to a coil of lead piping surrounded with ice and used to cool the soda-water. Milk-supplies.—ln Invercargill a retailer has adopted the bottling system, and his results will be watched with interest. He is at present hampered by lack of suitable equipment, but this should be remedied as the business expands. Water-supplies. During the year routine examinations have been made of various borough supplies, most of which have been found to be of a reasonable hygienic standard. Invercargill.—Considerable improvement has been effected by scraping the water-mains to remove the excessive deposits of iron and organic matter. It has been decided to develop the present well supply rather than undertake a gravitation supply, and the Town Engineer has been instructed to report on the possibility of ridding the water of iron. A portion of the old Borough of South Invercargill has been taken into Invercargill Borough, and is now being provided with water from the Invercargill supply. Queenstoivn. —The unusually dry summer and autumn of 1928 proved the necessity of increasing the borough water-supply. The additional supply will be from a mountain stream very close to the town. Gore.—This supply is drawn from shallow wells, situated in the centre of the town, and there is chemical and bacteriological evidence to show that the water must be viewed with suspicion. It is hoped that shortly the local authority will move in the direction of treating the water or providing a fresh source of supply. Drainage. Dunedin. —The reticulation of the outskirts of the Dunedin suburban area is being carried out by the Drainage and Sewerage Board in consequence of the extension of building operations. The effectiveness of the storm-water drain recently laid in the Tainui district was tested during the recent heavy rain, when very serious damage was done in several parts of the city through flooding, whereas at Tainui comparatively little trouble was experienced. Balclutha.—The Borough Council are still carrying out street-channelling and general improvements to various low-lying areas. Over two miles of street-channelling has been completed during the past two years. This has effected considerable improvement in the low - lying residential portion of the town. Mataura.—The sewerage reticulation has been completed, and house connections are proceeding. This is one of the most progressive boroughs in the district. Gore.—There is still an unduly large number of houses unconnected to the sewers. This state of affairs is encouraged by the present system of sanitary rating. Queenstown. —An engineer's report was obtained with regard to a sewage system, but the estimated cost was too large for the ratepayers to face. This improvement in the sanitary condition of the town will have to be made shortly if Queenstown is to retain its popularity as a tourist resort. Kaikorai Valley.—The matter of the drainage of the Kaikorai Valley is still occupying the attention of the Department. A number of meetings have been held, and reports have been prepared by Messrs. Alexander (City Engineer) and Williams (Engineer for the Green Island Borough). At last meeting the engineers were asked to confer with a view to reconciling their reports. Undoubtedly a great advance has been made towards coming to a final decision. Nightsoil Services. The various nightsoil services throughout the district continue to be carried out satisfactorily for the most part. That at Waikiwi, near Invercargill, administered by the Southland County Council, is a model of what such a service should be. The Maniototo County Council have recently installed a service for the Township of Ranfurly, and, in addition, a weekly refuse-collection service.

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