HEALTH WEEK LESSONS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 59, 4 December 1923, Page 11

HEALTH WEEK LESSONS

RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL

In the course of its report to thb City Council on Health Week activities, the executive embodied a series of recommendations, which it hoped would bo studied, and, as far as possible, adopted by the Health Committee. of the City Council. These included the following:— . The committee wishes to draw attention to the bad effects of thb present housing conditions on the liealth of the community, and wishes the City Council every success in its commendable efforts to remedy such undesirable conditions.

It. is suggested that increased attention should be paid to the more efficient ventilation of theatres, halls, buildings, and shops. The committee recommends) thWti continuous and effective measures should be introduced for the destruction of rats, and in this respect considers that the rat-proofing of buildings should receive due attention.

It is consideifed that steps should be taken to ensure the covering of all receptacles used for the keeping of rubbish thereby preventing the harborage of rats, flies, and the introduction and spread of disease. The committee strongly recommends the further provision of open playspaces for children. The committee considers that much remains to be done to encourage personal hygiene by the provision of muni.pipal hot baths to meet tho needs of those residing in apartunentsl and boarding-houses, where such necessary facilities are often quite inadequate. It is considered that the use of basements of buildings for occupation as workrooms or living rooms should bte discouraged. It is considered undesirable that stables should be located in the city area.

The committee congratulates the City Council on the splendid results of tho clean-up campaign, but considers that it would be more beneficial from a health and sanitary standpoint if such clean-ups could be done more frequently. or even if tins, etc., could bo removed weekly. ■The committee supports the pronosal io inaugurate on behalf of ordinary insurance policy holders of at least £5OO assurance, free quinquennial medical examination in hope of prevention of disease and subsequent reduction of mortality rates. It is recommended, in thb interests of the general health of the citizens of Wellington, there should lie considered by the City Council a scheme similar to that adopted by many municipal councils in Great Britain, whereby vacant land, in and about the city, is allotted temporarily in Small sections at a nominal rental to citizens for the purpose of vegetable gardening. It is considered that the suggestion “that posters of a permanent nature be-placed in conspicuous places, thus providing a constant reminder to citizens of their responsibilities regarding health matters” is one worthy of support. It was also recommended that tho by-law. against expectoration in public places be rigidly enforced; that rest rooms and conveniences for women and children be provided, both in city and suburbs; that consideration be given to the question of erecting incinerators for the destruction of household rulibish; that better protection bb provided where foodstuffs are exposed for sale '