BOARD OF HEALTH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5585, 18 January 1879, Page 6

BOARD OF HEALTH.

A meeting of the Local Board of Health was held at the close of the Drainage Board meeting Present—Messrs Ross, Hall, Harman, Brown, Duncan, and Tancred. Mr R. J. S. Harman was unanimously elected Chairman of the Board 1 for the ensuing year. inspector’s report. The Inspector of Nuisances reported as follows: — " 1. I have again inspected the side channel on the south side of the South Town Belt, and find it to be in very much worse condition than when I last reported. For years past this channel has been occasionally cleaned out by the Christchurch channel sweepers, and subsequently by the Sydenham Borough Council labour gang. I am now given to understand that instructions have been given to the employes of both bodies not to clean out this channel until further orders. “2. Cases of typhoid fever have been reported from Papinui. I have inspected these. My attention was first drawn to the abominable stench arising from the North road side channel, from the Papanui Hotel to the Sawyers’ Arms Hotel. Four cases of typhoid fever have now been reported from premises fronting on this channel. lam aware that concrete channelling is about to be laid, and it should be done without delay, as I find it is necessary to have impervious channels laid on some premises which drain into this channel, but until the permanent levels are fixed the requisite notices cannot be served. “3. The notice served on Mr Smith to abate a nuisance arising from the keeping of a large number of pig's in a confined space has been attended to.

“ 4. The side ditches on St Albans lane again require to ,be cleaned out, the waterway (consisting largely of house sewage) being obstructed by grass and weeds. Wm. Pearce, “ Chignnspector or ■Wnisaneea.’’

Respecting the condition of the South belt, referred to in clause 1, Mr H. V. Anson wrote strongly, and stated that no satisfaction could be had, either from the City Council or the Sydenham Borough Council. The writer now sought the assistance of the Drainage Board. On the same subject a letter was read from til's Town Clerk, who stated that the Sanitary Committee of the City Council quite concurred in the remarks embodied in a letter from the Drainage Board, but considered that, as the nuisance arose from the ratepayers in the Sydenham borough, it was the duty of that body to provide the cost of abatement, especially as all the rates on that side of the belt were received by the borough. A letter from Mr Fox was also read.

The Chairman explained that the nuisance was caused by residents within the borough of Sydenham, but existed within the Jurisdiction of the City Council. The matter gave rise to a lengthened discussion, and ultimately the matter was left in the hands of the Chairman to endeavour to effect an arrangement with the Sanitary Committees of the two bodies, and to report to the next meeting of the Board. Failing arrangement, the Chairman to be empowered to consult with the Board’s solicitor, and to take such action as he may deem necessary. In considering clause 2, Mr Duncan suggested that a copy thereof should be forwarded to the Avon Road Board.

The suggestion was adopted. Clause 3 was approved. Clause 4 was referred to the Chairman of Drainage Board, with a request that the work may be done at once. The Inspector’s report as a whole was adopted. HEALTH OFFICER, The Health Officer reported as follows : “ I have the honour to report that 29 cases of infectious disease have been reported during the three months ending Dee. 31,1878, viz., typhoid 15, scarlatina 8, diphtheria 6. The cases of typhoid have been mostly of a mild type. No deaths occurred from this cause during Oct. and Nov., but the statistics for Dec. are not yet to hand. “ Of the 15 cases of typhoid fever, six were emigrants by the Hydaspes. Of these six, two were sent to the Hospital from the Immigration Barracks immediately on landing. One was admitted to Hospital two days afterwards. Ono was admitted subsequently, having been in a situation meanwhile; she has since died. One was reported on Nov. 19, at the house of a friend at Papanui. She was suffering from a severe attack, and was ill when she landed. One was reported on Dec, 10, having also been ill since the time he landed. In addition to these, a case was reported and seen by me on Jan. 10; she died the same day. She had been ailing since she landed, but some doubt may be allowed to attach to this case. The husband and daughter of the last case were admitted to Hospital, suffering from typhoid, on Jan. 5. Two girls were detained at the barracks between two and three weeks after their arrival, owing to their debilitated condition, consequent, apparently, on mild typhoid. These are the only cases that have come under my notice, but it is probable that other mild cases have remained unreported. I think that the attention of the authorities should be drawn to the fact that some of the immigrants per Hydaspes were suffering, at tho time of landing, from typhoid fever, with the view of having tho circumstances of the case investigated. “Of the remaining cases, three occurred in Christchurch, two in Sydenham, two at Papanui, ono on tho Ferry road, and one at Riocarton.

“ I beg again to direct attention to the fact that there are over a thousand cesspits in Christchurch. We cannot hope to get rid of zymotic disease so long as the excretions of a large proportion of the population are allowed to drain into the porous subsoil. “ In a previous report I pointed out the dangers incurred (by a want of proper precaution against the, dissemination of typhoid fever) through the medium of the closets of

hotels and public-houses. There should be a regular supervision of all such- public closets to ensure their being emptied with sufficient frequency, and I think that the use of dry earth should be compulsory. “ The cases of diphtheria have mostly been mild. Two deaths, however, have occurred from this cause—one at Addington and one at the Styx. “ One death occurred in October from scarlatina j the other oases have mostly been mild.

“ The health of Ohrietohuroh has been on the whole very satisfactory during the past year; the mortality has been low, and the coses of zymotic disease few and sporadic. The very dry summer has been followed—as might bo expected—by muoh diarrhoea, especially amongst children. The amount of typhoid fever seems, so for, to be small; it is, however, during the autumn that this disease is most prevalent. " Llewellyn Powell, “ Health Officer.” Dr Powell, who was in attendance, asked that the vital statistics should be forwarded to him. At present he had to obtain them from the City Counoil. It was resolved that the Government should be asked to forward a copy of the Gazette to Dr Powell, as the health officer ot the District. Relative to the immigrants ex Ilydaspes, Dr Powell thought the important question was, how typhoid came to arise in the ship at all. Other ships which had arrived in the Colony had been similarly circumstanced, and it was to be feared that the water supply or other arrangement of such vessels urgently needed attention. Mr J. E. Brown suggested that Dr Powell should prepare a special report, with the view of forwarding a copy.to the Government. The suggestion was agreed to. It was resolved to send to the city Council a copy of that portion of the report dealing with public closets. Dr Powell mentioned as a fact that diphtheria was more common in suburban than in urban districts, the fact being one that had not been satisfactorily accounted for. The condition of Lyttelton street was referred to by Dr Powell. The soil was saturated with moisture. It was in the neighbourhood of George street, which had been previously reported upon. A street in such a condition was a disgrace to the city. Dr Powell’s report was adopted. infectious diseases. The following cases of infectious disease were reported as having occurred since Dee. 27 :—Typhoid fever, 7; scarlet fever, 5; diphtheria, 1, total, 13. BUNDS. It was resolved that consideration of the financial status of the Board should be deferred until the next meeting, and that in the meantime application should be made to the Drainage Board for an imprest of £2OO. The Board then adjourned.