PUBLIC HEALTH MATTERS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 October 1908, Page 4

PUBLIC HEALTH MATTERS.

INSPECTOR MIDDLETON’S REPORT. [OUK PARLIAMENTAUV REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, This Day. The inspector of public health for flic Westland district supplies a report which is included in the annual report of the Health Department:— “On first arriving here,” lie states, “much of my time was occupied in preliminary investigation. So far, I may say, that owing to climatic conditions, country work cannot bo attended to as I should like, and, further, I have to say that there arc some infections diseases cases reported that are really too far away, and would incur a largo amount of expense owing to the, difficulty in reaching the localities. Most of these arc pulmonary tuberculosis, and where I cannot visit I send full in;tractions to the householders of how to prevent (ho spread of the disease, etc. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS. That a largo amount of work requires to bo done right throughout the district, viz., Bailer, Westland, Inangahua and Giey Counties is apparent. However, I hone to see matters greatly improved nn my next report to yon hv persuading these local authorities to bring about better sanitary conditions of their various localities. It is my intention to attend some of their meetings and point out to them the need for adding to their present by-laws, for although some of them arc modern, there are many items missinc that should have been inserted. Apparently, these bylaws have been taken from copies of those o f the Wellington City Council with the idea that “these arc good enough for what we want.” Here lies the danger of copying a few sections from bv-laws of a large city instead of having a complete ret, \ hich will suffice for the present and future requirements of the existing town for which they arc intended. SANITARY BY-LAWS.

F hereby mention a few of the sanitary improvements required, and which ought to have been noticed when the .last by-laws for these towns were made in 1900. as the Ly-laws (from which I presume these were copied) contained all the necessary clauses, (aj There is no provision for drain ventilation except where there is a w.c. and then only by the two-inch anusephon pipe; (h) no fresh air inlets to drains; (c) no inspection pipes or chambers; (d) disconnecting pipes (and only in some house drains) arc the ordinary bent siphon; (e) gully traps aic of the largo type and hold too much sewage; (() drains are never tested; (g) urinal supply pipes are directly connected to the drinking water mains; (h) sinks, etc., arc not trapped in a large majority oi cases, although the by-laws require it; (ij ordinary seamed pipes (galvanised iron sheet) is used for waste pipes in most cases (j' lavatory wastes arc directly connected to soil pipes (prohibited by the by-laws). The lavatories, etc., arc trapped, hut not antisiphoned; (k) stables arc not paved, properly drained, or provided in any way vith manure receptacles of a non-absor-bent nature; (1) pig feed is collected and called in wooden rubs without rovers; (m) floors for drainage arc not asked for by the Councils, There are other things which might ho quoted, hut this is sullicicnt to show cause for a revolution in sanitary work throughout. DISINFECTION. Throughout the district the •representatives of the various local authorities have been consulted re purchasing appliances and material. Ecufton readily complied with my request. Wcstnort has done to rtccnt.lv, also Bailer County. Kuimira and Hokitika are holding matters over, boss is doing the sumo. I have had no replies from the Westland or Grey Counties in the matter. INFECTIOUS DISEASES. Very '-w of these have been reported, most of them coming from the Inangahua County and all places which have been in contact with name bean disinfected.