THE HEALTH OF TOE MAORIS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6874, 27 February 1884, Page 3

THE HEALTH OF TOE MAORIS.

{I'er United Press Association.)

Auckland, February 20,

Mr .Tuhu Morse Grace, at the special request of Mrs Hardiman, the late Judgo Maning's daughter, interviewed the Native Minister for the purpose of urging tho despatch of medical aid'to the typhoid-stricken Natives of Waitapu and Herekino (Hokianga district). Mr Grace pointed out that the Natives were neglected, that the diseasa waa attended by groat mortality, and that they would be completely decimated unless a doctor woro speedily sent for their relief. The Native Minister (aid ho had inquired, and was informed that no medical aid or medicines would bo of any avail until a better sanitary state of the village was obtained. Ho also said Government lwd always spent, and were now spending, largo sums on medicines and medical aid. Mr Grace admitted tho unsatisfactory sanitary condition of the village, and attributed it to ignorance and apathy. Ho thought the first could bo removed by school instruction, and the latter by proper management and the enforcement of sanitary laws. The Native Minister then requested Mr Grace to suggest in writing a scheme by which this could be done. He said that meanwhile tho resident doctor of Mongonui, who is in the pay of the Government, would be instructed to attend on the Natives at Waitapu, Pukepato, and Herekino. This terminated tho interview. Mr Grace has forwarded a feasible scheme for the remedy of tho evil referred to. Ha recommends that the laws of health should be made a compulsory branch of instruction in Native schools; that explanatory papers in Maori on iulectious and contagious diseases Bhould be circulated amongst teachers and chiefs; that a prize be offered yearly for the best-drained and most cleauly kauiya or village, tho b»at built, most roomy, and most cleanly whan, and for new kaingm on healthy site?, and also for the cleanest child at school; that ordinary sanitary laws should with prudence be enforced against the Maoris; that a board of hoalth for each kaiixiabe nominated or elected, and n Maori sanitary inspector appointed ; or in default of these latter provisions, that the work mentioned should be done by the KM. ; and that a building to servo as a hospital Bhould be erected in every village, half a mile from any whure. . Wellington, February 20. In reference to the statement that the Hokianga Natives are dying rapidly of typhoid fever tho Government have received the following telegram from the R.M. at Hokianga :— " February 20. Returned from Whangape and Waitapu this morning. A few cases of low fever at Herekino; two have ended fatally. There is little more sickness than in former years at this season. As long as tiiey live on the lowlauds it must continue.'