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25. One case of Choleraic Diarrhoea was reported and it ended fatally.

26. Two cases of Diphtheria were reported and both ended fatally. In one instance the disease appears to have been contracted in the Colony, in the other it is clear that it was contracted elsewhere as the person was found to be suffering from the disease on arrival here.

27. A native of Stanley was found to be suffering from leprosy and arrangements were made by which the leper was transferred to a so-called lepers home in the neighbourhood of Canton. The hut in which the leper lived was demolished and everything combustible was burned.

28. Contracts.-The following contracts expired or were about to expire in 1892, viz. :—

1. The City Conservancy Contract. 2. The City Scavenging Contract.

3. The City Animal Manure Contract.

4. The Kau-lung Scavenging Contract.

5. The Shau Ki Wan Scavenging Contract. 6. The Aberdeen Scavenging Contract.

7. The Stanley Scavenging Contract.

29. In each instance before tenders for these new Contracts were called for the specifications were carefully considered and amended as the experience gained during the past three years showed to be desirable.

30. The tenders accepted for the new Contracts are very much more advantageous than those accepted in 1889 and 1890. The sums to be received annually amount to $23,280 as against $19,740 received under the old Contracts i.e. an increase of $3,540 a year. The sums to be paid annually amount to $25,680 as against $29,820 under the old Contracts i.e. a decrease of $4,140 a year. In addition to these Contracts there are also the Slaughter-house and Cattle-depôt Contracts both of which were let for 1893 for $40,236 and $2,460 respectievly as against $37,464 and $2,400 respecti- vely for 1892, i.e. an increase to be received of $2,832. It will be observed that in letting these contracts, amounting in the aggregate to a money value of $91,656, there is a money gain of $10,512 a year compared with the sums received and paid under the old contracts. If the work to be done under these new contracts is performed in the same satisfactory manner that the work under the old contracts was done then the letting of these can only be viewed as being highly satisfactory.

STAFF.

31. The following changes, etc., took place during the year :-

32. Surveyor.-Mr. J. R. CROOK, Civil Engineer, was appointed in February Sanitary Surveyor, vice Mr. F. A. COOPER who had been appointed Director of Public Works.

33. Senior Inspector of Nuisances. Mr. J. R. GERMAIN, owing to ill-health, was granted four months vacation leave of absence and subsequently three and a half months leave of absence on half pay. During the absence of Mr. GERMAIN, the duties of Senior Inspector were performed by Mr. J. J. CLERIHEW.

34. Assistant Inspector of Markets.-Owing to the long and serious illness of Mr. GEO. RAE, the duties of this post were performed during the whole of the year by Mr. WM. FISHER who was appointed, permanently, Assistant Inspector of Markets when Mr. RAE was invalided as unfit for further service in October. Very soon after being invalided Mr. RAE died. He was an intelligent steady and trust- worthy official who had been in the service of the Colony for a little over twenty years.

35. Inspectors of Nuisances.-Police Constable HENRY SMITH acted for Mr. WM. FISHER in the eastern health district from January till October when he left the service having secured a more lucrative appointment in Hankow. Mr. GALBRAITH MOFFAT was appointed to the post rendered vacant by the transference of Mr. WM. FISHER to the markets. Police Constable R. PATTERSON acted for Mr. CLERIHEW in the western health district of Victoria for two and a half months.

36. Market Watchmen.-J. NORONHA absconded, MAHOMET ALLI and SEETHA RAM were dismissed. A. B. Souza and CHUNAM SHAH were appointed.

37. Market Scavengers.--One died, two resigned and one was dismissed. Four other men were appointed to the vacancies thus created.

I

am,

Gentlemen,

Your obedient Servant,

HUGH MCCALLUM, Sanitary Superintendent.