THE HEALTHIEST CITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 239, 6 October 1916, Page 8

THE HEALTHIEST CITY.

AUCKLAND COMES SECOND. DISCUSSION" ON INFANTILE PARALYSIS. In view of the disquieting rumours as to the recurrence and spread of infantile paralysis in various parts of the Dominion, Cr. E. Davis asked the Mayor (Mr. Jl-H. Gunson) at last night's, meeting of the City Council if he considered it was within the scope of the Council's duties to approach the Health Department and inquire what steps were being taken to combat the disease during the summer, also to impress tjie urgent need for precautions, and suggest concerted action by the Department and various local bodies. •The Mayor read the report which he bad specially obtained from the chief sanitary inspector (Mr. C. T. Haynes). This stated that no case of infantile paralysis had been notified in the city for over six months, nor had there been any recrudescence of it in any part of the Auckland health district. It was of interest to note that the cessation of the disease in the city had coincided with the special sanitary precautions under—taken by the Council and the enforcing of stricter measures for the protection of foodstuffs, disinfecting of public buildings, schools, etc., the watering of streets, and the assistance given to the public in the removal of rubbish. Although at present Christcliurcb. had a alight lead in the matter of the health, there was, in Mr. Haynes' opinion, no reason why Auckland should not be the healthiest city in New Zealand. He'suggested that the Council should ask for the cooperation of the public'in obtaining clean conditions, and expressed the opinion that there was no need for a special conference. ■

_ The Mayor, in replying to the question,' submitted by Cr. Davis, said it was the bounden duty of the Council to do everything possible in the matter of preventive measures. In view of the uncertainty which existed regarding the nature of the disease, these measures must be largely presumptive. All work of a sanitary character must, however, contribute towards the improved condition of public health generally. By the acceptance of that principle" the "work mignt remove or prevent' undetermined causes of trouble. It was his intention, therefore, to ask the Works Committee to give due consideration to the question.