PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3237, 16 April 1900, Page 3

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

WELLINGTON, April 14. The Colonial Secretary has arranged that Mr Gilruth, Government bacteriologist, and Dr Mason, of Otaki, shall make an immediate inspection of the sanitary conditions of the ports and chief centres m New Zealand, Auckland will be visited first, owing to the frequency of visits there of vessels from Australia, Thence the inspectors go to Kaipara, Napier, Wanganui, Wellington, Christchurch, Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Bluff, Invercargill, and other town 3if deemed desirable. The Government have asked the shipping companies that when cargoes are being fumigated and discharged, crates and such packages likely to contain ratß shall be landed so that they may be cleared of. rats either by extra fumigation or opening. Fumigation is to be carried oat under the supervision of GoverLment officers. The Premier leaves for Auckland this afternoon, and will be absent ten or twelve days. He then visits the West Coast of the South Island. Speaking of the plague Mr Seddon considers that not enough is being dune by the City Council to prevent its introduction. Should the dreaded disease make its appearance here, he. says that it means ruin to traders and merchants, will depreciate property, impede shipping, and commereipl intercourse would almost cease. The local authorities were not backing up as they should the strenuous efforts of the Government to prevent its entry into the colony. He estimates that if a couple of caaea appeared here, it would cost the city Council from £100,000 to £150,000 to eradicate it. Should the plague visit Wellington he would not take the responsibility of bringing legislators here, but Parliament would hold its session m the Provincial Chambers at Christchurch. The Oolonial Secretary proposes next session to introduce drastic legislation dealing with the question of sanitation. He considers that the present local and central boards of health are almoßfc useless, and he will suggest that they be, abolished and a supervising medical officer ..for the whole colony, and local medical offieers,be appointed to take the whole sanitation of the colony iato their hands. Dr Mason ami Mr Gilruth, m their inspection of the colony, will ask for power from municipalities to enable them to make a thorough inspection _of. each place. It is . desired that they will coirmunicarte by telegraph to the Oolonial Secretary the condition of the towns inspected, also such recommendation as they consider necessary,