THE HEALTH OF THE MAORI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 162, 9 July 1907, Page 6

THE HEALTH OF THE MAORI.

SANITARY INSPECTORS' CON-

PBRENCE.

An important forward move in the matter of preserving the health of the Maori race is at present being made a conference of sanitary inspectors being held at the local offices of the Health Department. Dr. Pomare, Native Health Officer, occupies the chair The conference opened yesterday, when there were present, in addition to the chairman: Dr. Buck (Rangihiroa), and Messrs. Hori Pukehika (Wanganui), Taiawhio te Tau (Wairarapa), Elsdon Best (Urewern), Rameka Waikerepu (Bay of Islands), Waaka te Huia (Wairoa North), and Riapo Puhipi (Man°-anui) The chairman read a telegram from the Chief Health Officer, Dr. J. M. Mason, wishing the conference to be both profitable and pleasant. Dr. Pomare said the conference wonld mark an epoch in the history of the Maori race. Great difficulty had been experienced in arranging the meeting owing fo the expenses which were likely to be incurred. He wished to impress upon the inspectors that the health of the Maori people was in their hands.

Dr. Buch delivered an address in which he pointed out that their ancestors haa carefully regulated healtH matters, and were careful as to the disposal of offal, etc., but with the coming of the pakeha their own health laws were neglected, and the object of that Conference was

to see what could be done in order that Maoris could be taught to adapt themselves in hygienic matters to the present altered circumstances.

Both Dr. Pomare and Dr. Buch, during the afternoon, gave valuable instruction to tlie inspectors in respect to keeping fowls, pigs, horses and other animals, also in respect to selecting sites for native settlements.

Dr Pomare, in his opening speech, said this was the dawn of a new era. He was glad to meet the chiefs of the tribes. The cost of such a conference would be returned a thousandfold in the benefits to be derived by the Maori race. He wished to bid farewell to his assistants in tne North now that he was handing the charge over to Dr Buch. The relics of the stone-age were vanishing. The Maori was last, but not lost, because they would be seen again in a new phase. They would be merged in the white race, Most of those present had white blood in their veins, but though absorption was the Maori's destiny, they could delay it some years longer by attending to hygienic matters. Therefore it was that he welcomed them to a conference so that they could study together matters relating to health.

Mr Hori Pukehiko said they had met in tha pain and suffering of a vanishing race. If thej could do anything to save a fading race, good, if they could not, then they could not. The day would come when their children, like the two doctors, would plant the banner of knowledge further along the read of progress. Towards that end they must do their best.

Dr. Buch emphasised the fact that the Maori aved in by-gone days through his activity, and was dying now through his inactivity. They had become pakehas, being now but Maori in colour.

The conference resumed at 10 a.m. this morning, when Dr. Buch gave an interesting discourse upon whares, how they should be built, of what material, what the foundations should be, the chimneys, flooring, and roofing. He also referred to the laws regulating how houses should, be clea-ned, a-nd to the dangers of over-crowding.

Dr. Ponrare continued the instructions, dealing with the important question of proper ventilation. By chemical experiments in the laboratory, he demonstrated to the inspectors the deadly nature of carbonic dioxide gas generated by humanity when closely crowded together in ill-ventilated structures, l*he doctor next spoke about the danger of spitting about, and the necessity for sleeping on raised beds, the proper caxe of sick rooms, and other matters connected with the preservation of health.

Both doctors gave interesting illnetrations of the circulauon of gases. The conference ■was continued afternoon.

It may be mentioned that all the native sanitary inspectors present are chiefs amongst their own people, who have taken up this work for very small remuneration, solely in order to benefit the native race.