Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, APRIL, 14, 1892. "The Published Health Act. 1876."

Manawatu Herald, 14 April 1892, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, APRIL, 14, 1892. "The Published Health Act. 1876."

The Borough Council at its meeting on Tuesday wisely admitted the faot of Diphtheria being in the town. They have elsewhere outlined the duties of house-holders so that the responsibility of disinfecting of premises and clothing may rest on the right shoulders. No doubt this action should have been taken sooner, more especially as one councillor stated that he knew of " The Public Health Act " years ago, and had read it all through. If the other councillors are to be blamed for not having read this Act, this particular councillor is the more to be blamed from having known it, and not having had it •' acted upon.- When a disease has been introduced into the district as this attack of diphtheria undoubtedly was, it is better for our public men to acknowledge its presence, and use the powers they possess to prevent its spread, than to urge that it is absurd to " make a song about it." The parents who have lost their children through this disease have no song to make, but only a wail of lamentation, and we believe that prompter action might have been perhaps the means of saving some of the lives already , lost. '

The Council possesses certain powers only under the Act previously, mentioned, and we may say at once that it does not possess the ample power needed to itftmp tht cliuni.

oufc. The Acfc makes ifc punishable for any person suffering from an infectious disease to expose himself without due precaution as to disinfecting himself, but it permits the parent of a suffering child to leave the bedside of the invalid and mix with the public without making it incumbent on him to have taken any means to j disinfect himself. We have it on the authority of tho medical profession that the germs of fche disease can be carried in the clothing and the hair and skin, so thafc an attendant on a sufferer is capable of being the reservoir of destructive germs which he can shake off himself in public, to the danger of all within a radius of him. The Act merely makes the disinfecting of a room within a dwelling obligatory, though perhaps for days before taking to his bed the sufferer had been perambulating the whole premises. We .have been informed that a .visitor to this town last Friday was so unfortunate as to catch the disease and on Monday was informed by a doctor that he undoubtedly suffered from diphtheria. Being anxious to gefc home the unfortunate person left by train on Tuesday morning for a long trip. Unwillingly, but from sheer stupidity, this sufferer not only makes the railway carriage a dangerous place, but on the journey through may infect any who may come into : close contact with the case.

The chief hope that the Council can have, in its battle for the redaction of the disease, is the cheerful and sensible assistance that can be rendere djjy the, burgesses. Those who have any o£t Heir f__nily afflicted should recognise their dut"y to their neighbour to extend to mean to exercise the best of their ability to prevent tbe spread of the contagion beyond their doors. To do this they must, for a period agree to isolation, and warn all away who would out of kindly feeling, risk the danger, to do a kind turn. Children should be prevented from playing together outside of their own family, and every care should be taken to exercise the greatest cleanliness in every respect. By some such . general working the chances of infection may be reduced, bufc until we get some healthy gales we must, now the visitor has come, expect it will remain with us. We should suggest that not only are places kept scrupulously clean but that disinfectants be liberally used, and in addition that no water be drunk or used that has not first been boiled. We are sure the burgesses will understand the action of their Council in the proper light, that energetic action must be taken by one and all for the common good. This being so we heartily hope that every suggestion thafc may be made by their officers will meet with prompt and willing attention.

Davys' Bright Lights Company have had a two most successful entertainments here, having played to crowded houses both on Tueslay and last night. The different performers were most enthusiastically applauded, and all admitted that they had received very full value for their money-

The jockey Hall, who was injured in the hurdle race left by train this morning for his home. We trust he will soon be about again all right,

Additions to Messrs Stevens and Gor;on's Awahuri sale appear to-day.

Early in May Messrs Stevens and Gorton will sell the property of Messrs Mudford A Sons. A preliminary notioe is inserted in this issue.

The Borough Council invite tenders for the position of ranger. Tenders must be in by Wednesday.

Without any notice to his many friends, Mr McKenzie of the Bank of New Zealand left on Tuesday morning for Napier, having received a well merited promotion. Mr McKenzie was always of a most diffident position and this prevented him from giving his friends an opportunity to wish h'iftia cordial good-bye. During the long rte___:-Mr Mc_?en_i. has been at the bank he ha#,t#en 3Q_?4 J&t&fc_ his, earnest atten. tion to j)is duties and his unfailing courtesy to th!rcu_tomer_t. .if his bank. We have' _Ld^d<fßbt *tft^4hk\Jii# .aiemy excellent qualities_will- ensure him a kind reception in the tovyn to which he, has gone.

' " At ; Wednesday's meeting of Wanganui Hospital Board, a letter from the Palmerston Hospital Board, asking on what terms patients from t hat distriot would be admitted to the Wanganui Hospital from Ist April until such time as their building, now in hand, is completed, was read. On the motion of Mr Remington, seconded by Mr Higgin, it was resolved that a reply be sent to the Palmerston Hospital Board stating that patients coming from that district be charged at the rate of 3s 6d per head per diem.

The Marlborough Times says : — " One of the most flourishing industries established by the present Government is the manufacture of Justices of the Peace. Almost every week the Minister of Justice gazettes a new batch— all warranted • sound upon the goose ' and of the • right colour.'

The fo'lowing letter signed by the whole body of the Diocese of Dunedin (with the exception of one clergyman, who thought jt. *,ajMty to keep the matter open any longer.' though quite supporting Mr Howell, has ; been published ;— "To the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Dunedin. My Lord— We, the undersigned, licensed clergy of the Diocese of Dunedin, desire to express our surprise and regret that the Primate, at the recent session of the General Synod, without cause assigned practically inhibited from preaching in his diocese the Rev E. T. Howell, a clergyman beneficed in this diocese, and accredited by us as one of our representatives in the General Synod; We beg to express our sympathy with Mr Howell, and our high appreciation of his moral character, and of his unwearied diligence as a Christian pastor. We thank your Lordship for endeavouring to obtain from the Primate a statement of the reasons for his action, and are constrained to express our astonishment that the Primate has not done Mr Howell justice of acceding to his request to be informed Ra to the ground* of the inhibition.'

Mr Steele returned on Tuesday night from his holiday and took over charge of the bank this morning. Mr Ewen left for Wellington by coach. Mr Howard, from the Hutt is taking Mr McKenzie's position.

We have to thank Mr Nye fdr further samples of the grapes grown at the Sunnyside Vineries. One bunch of black grapes measured fifteen inches long, and ten inches wide at the top, and weighed three and a half pounds. There was another sample of a large round black grape, of a most delicio_. flavour. A few, being anew grape, of a yellow colour, oval shape and luxious flavour were also sent, being a sample of the Waltham Cross, the bes English grape in cultivation.

On the Ist page of this paper is a striking announcement of special shipments of English made Blankets imported for the present season's requirements at Te Aro House, Wellington.

Now these Blankets are specially good value, that is to say, the prices are exceedingly moderate and the qualities are exceedingly good. Our London buyers consider themselves experts on the matter of Blankets, and that is the reason why we give such excellent value and do so large a trade in them at Te Aro House, Wellington.

We have an immense stock of these Blankets in all sizes, not only English but Colonial, and we have a large variety of Colored Blankets, Austrian Rugs, Newmarket Rugs, &c, &c, at Te Aro House, Wellington.

It is very certain that in all drapery articles of house furnishing it would be impossible to find elsewhore Buch advantages as we are abla to offer the publio such as large variety, such moderate prices and such an excellent Carpet and Furnish, ing Department as there are at Te Aro House Wellington.

Housekeepers, hotelkeepers, stationholders, and all those about to marry should without doubt for their own advantage write or call at Te Aro House, Wei* lington.

Messrs Ross and Sandford of the Bon Marche, Palmerston North, beg to intimate to their numerous customers in the district, that the additions to their premises are now completed, their first Direct Shipments of Autumn and Winter goods for all Departments, -which are on a more extensive scale than on any former season are also to hand and ready to select from, and they respectfully solicit the early inspection of customers, they direct special attention to their stocks in the following Departments viz : — Dressgoods, Mantles, Plush and Scalette Jackets, Ulsters, Millinery and Fancy goods ; also Flannels and Blankets, General Drapery and Household Furnishing, which are now stocked more largely than formerly and in keeping with their extended premises, Rosa & Sandford, the Bon March, Palmerston North.