The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1907. THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2168, 26 August 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1907. THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

The annual report of the Chief Health Officer which is summarised m this issue contains much that is of vital interest to the community. Dr. Mason, is not only a capable official but for a Government servant, is particularly energetic and is evidently w'liolo hearted in liis campaign against disease. His ropoits ait. characterised by plain speaking and a vigorous denunciation of methods that ai-e detrimental to tlie public health. The doctor is quite on safe ground when ho attacks the milk supply as the chief cause of the alarming extent of infantile mortality. No common article of food is so readily contaminated as milk and none is handled with less regard for its purity. The picture drawn by the Chief Health Officer, as existent in Wellington, is one that can easily be duplicated in any town in New Zealand. Wo have a system of milk, inspection but it is so imperfect as to be little better than a farce. To obtain pure wholesome milk for general consumption Dr. Mason stipulates for:—Healthy cows, sanitary byres, clean milkers, suitable dairy, proper cans, and delivery to the householder in clean glass bottles. The ideal may seem a high one, but it- should not be too high for any country which places a proper value upon the physique of the coming generation. The Government, through its agricultural department, is taking an important step towards the improvement of our milk supply by agreeing to appoint, inspectors who will visit the various dairies throughout the colony for the purpose of giving advice to the individual farmer as to what should be done to increase the purity anjl tlie value of his milk, but even when this is accomplished there is still a big gap to bo bridged before tlie lactic fluid finds its way to the home of the consumer. Dr. Mason’s remarks on the subject should receive the closest attention from municipal bodies. The report is more optimistic on tlie subject of quacks and quackeries and it is encouraging to note that many of these “bleeders of the neurotic” have found it advantageous to transfer their energies to other countries. Tho medical examination of school children is a subject the importance of which lias lohg been recognised and it is eminently satisfactory that-Dr. Mason has been able to suggest a plan by which this may bo accomplished. The Chief Health Officer touches on a troublesome subject when he deals with' vaccination. He appears to be convinced of its desirableness as a preventive of smallpox but- there is so much evidence oil tlie other side that tlie public may well bo pardoned for refusing to accept an unpleasant dictum “when doctors differ.” The possibility of an epidemic of smallpox attaining really serious dimensions in a community where the modern laws of sanitation are observed seems so slight that parents prefer to take their chance of such an outbreak rather than gain immunity by the risky process of vaccination. There is in fact a very strong belief that the cure is worse than the disease and until this feeling can bo overcome, either by scientific demonstration or the actual experience of tho threatened epidemic there is little likelihood of a stringent vaccination law' being tolerated in this country. We, in New Zealand, rejoice in having tlie low'est death rate in the world, but this is no reason why we should allow ourselves to be lulled into a false security and Dr. Mason’s report provides some excellent suggestions whereby the future of the race may be benefited.

Tlie Webb Testimonial Committee will meet at Dustin’s rooms to-mor-row evening. It is desired that all lists bo sent in for the meeting. ,

The passengers from Auckland on Sunday included Messrs. Kyme (Mucky, Logan and Caldwell) ami Hookey (Arch. Clark and Co.).

The Local Rills Committee will irobably present their report oil the iiisbonie Harbor Board Bill to the I'louso oi Representatives oil luesKv.

At the meeting of the Debating Society in the Church ol England Schoolroom this evening Messrs. M. Kimble and T. A. Coleman will debate the question “Docs Education Minimise Crime?”

Tho rovonuo received at the Customs House last week was as lollows:—Customs duties £1093 los od, boor duty £3O 17s 6d, light due 3 £5 17s 3d, shipping fees £l2 15s lOd, Harbor Board rovonuo £47 10s 4d; total £ll9O 16s 4d.

Tho Patutahi school children entered into the spirit of Arbor Day with zest equal to that of the town children. Mr Darton attended and gave an instructive address, and some tree-planting was carried out that will add to tho appearance of the grounds.

A conference of Sunday School teachers and others interested will he held in St. Andrew’s Schoolroom when the Rev. J. C. Jamieson, assisted by others, will discuss questions affecting the greater efficiency of Sunday-school, work. A hearty invitation" is extended to all the teachers-, in the town and district.

There was a good attendance at tho Wild West show on Saturday afternoon and evening. Professor and Miss Sylvia Bates performed their usual skilful feats of daring horsemanship, having had an exceptionally agile buckjumper brought in front the country. The lasooing, shooting, and dragging out of tho horse thief were a feature of the performance. Professor Bates intends paying Tolaga Bay a visit. A new form of athletics was introduced into Gisborne on Saturday. Mrs. Jamieson taught- the St. Andrew’s Young Women's Bible-class the American game of basket hall. A seven aside tournament of this game was played recently in Dunedin in aid of the funds for the Bihleelass Clubroom and awakened great interest. It is probably tlie most exciting of feminine games when played under the American rules. It is understood that another practice is to he held on Thursday.

Messrs. Miller and Craig report tho following prices at Saturday morning's sale:—Hens Is 7d to Is 9d, roosters Is 7d to 2s 6d, silver Wyandotte pullets 3s 3d, ducku 3s 6d, turkey hens 3s 6d, cabbage 2s to 2s 3d doz, parsnips 7d to lOd bag, carrots Cd bag, Swedes 6d bag, cauliflowers 7d to lOd each, mai rows Is 9d do., spring onion plants 3d bundle, potatoes llis Cd sack, lemons 3s ease, turnips lOd hag, eggs 9d to 10(1 doz., butter lOd to Is lb. mandarins 5s to 5s 6d case, oranges Cs ease, passion fruit 7s case, bacon 6Jd, hams 71(1 lb.

At the annual meeting of ratepayers of the Patutahi road district, Mr. O. Gallagher presided over a good attendance. A resolution was carried that the whole of the Patutahi lload Board district should be constituted a special district, and asking the County Council to raise a loan of £IOOO for the widening of -the main drain. It was resolved that tho County Council he asked to allow no locnl body to take metal from Patutahi quarry for less than sixpence per yard royalty, in order to augment the fund for paying interest on the £2OOO loan. The return chess match Gisborne v. Wniroa wiis concluded last Saturday evening about wires were not’ available till n(Yrny 10 o’clock. Mr. J. A. Connell, tli, Wairoa captain, succeeded after p good' game, in defeating Mr. W\ S’. Crawford, the local captain, Messrs. Bull, King, Sainsbury and Rowley were successful in winning their games. The vicepresident of the club, Mr. J. W. Witty was compelled to resign after a very hard-fought game. The seventh game, Mr. Blackburn’s was unfinished and is left for adjudication, hut even if given in favor of Wairoa it cannot affect’ the result, ns Gisborne lias scored 4 wins to Wairoa’s 2 At the conclusion of the game the President in one of his happy speeches thanked the telegraph officials for their courtesy, promptness and efficiency. -

Yesterday afternoon at Whinruy’s Hall the Rev. J. C. Jamieson, travelling secretary of the Young Men’s Bible-class Union and Institute, delivered an address on “The temptations of a busy man.” Mr. H. Adair presided. Airs. Jamieson also addressed a meeting of ladies in Townlcy’s Hall there being a large attendance. In the evening Air. Jamieson preached in St. Andrew’s Church on the “Secret of a strong character,” contending that as men made progress in material things by taking advantage of the physical forces of the universe, so men gained strong character by linking themselves to the great spiritual force behind all tilings. 'Hie sermon was prefaced by a short description of tho Bible-class Union and Institute. It was. said Air. Jamieson, broad catering for the members, physically and socially, ns well as spiritually, carrying on debates, gymnasium, and clubrooms, as well as Bible study. It sought to be of practical use to its members. Tho society had, at the present time, branches in every part of the colony. Tho young women’s movement was worked on similar lines. To-morr i • night there will bo a confer? i -e on Sunday school work to ivni.-li iho public are. cordially invited. "

The Baptist Tabernacle was reopened yesterday under auspicious circumstances, and there is every indication that a flourishing congregation will bo ro-estaWished. The Rev. W. L. Salter is carrying out his Gisborne mission with commendable zeal, and encouraging congregations were present at both services in the pretty little Tabernacle. The admonition, “Praise God in His Sanctuary,” so conspicuously displayed in this sacred building, is an incentive to the Baptist denomination to rally round their pastor, and Mr. Salter’s announcement to liis people, regarding the arrangements made Tor the future continuance of the work, must be regarded by them as satisfactory. The rev. gentleman explained that he had been asked to coipo to Gisborne by the Auckland auxiliary of the N.Z. Baptivst Union. An Auckland gentleman, deeply interested in the work of the denomination, had leased the Tabernacle for twelve months with a view to the Baptist Union Conference, which will meet in October next, appointing a pastor to take charge of the Church. Without doubt, said Mr. Salter, this would be douo and services would be continued from the present time onward. He expected to be here for the next four or five weeks; the Rev. C. Dallaston, of Napier, will conduct services on the first Sunday in October; and thenceforward the confereno will arrange supplies. The Rev. Mr. Salter preached in the morn.ng_ on •• text from Joshua. 5. verse 13-15, tie theme being the vision that apnea * .\] unto Joshua of a stranger, bearing a drawn sword, who announced liimserf as Captain of the-, Cord’s hosts. / s is usual the evening attendance was the larger, and the jiastor prearbod an eloquent sermon on tlie U xt. “Look unto Me and bo ye save!.” An interesting after meeting of spiritual exhortation followed the service.

Tli') barges which are being used at- Picton to carry out to sea tho tons upon tons of dc.ad herrings which are piled oil the beach will, to all appearances lie kept going some time yet. The Marlborough Horn Id says a visitor to Picton a few days ago watched a shoal of porpoises follow the steamer Penguin to the wharf, and their appearance was the cause of shoals of herrings being run on shore, where they continue to bo piled up like so much sand.

Auckland people are coiiitiiniinig tlie agitation for a canal through the isthmus joining Auckland and Manuka u harbors, from tho east coast to tho west and vice versa at Auckland, and do away with tho railing from Onehunga. A deputation, waited upon tho Harbor Board recently and submitted estimates for a canal -.i miles long, excavated to allow vessels drawing 20 to 21 foot to pass at any time. They put he coat at £BOO,OOO, and the revenuo, on the present soalo of business, at £20,000 to £25, 000 a year.

A few of our leading grain firms received a sudden awakening the other djiy, says the Dunedin Star, when they learnt that a millowner with three mills in this province had failed. Tho liabilities are said to total about £13,000, and among the unsecured creditors is one firm at £SIOO, another a £3OOO, and still another at £I6OO. No time mas lest in deciding to sell up and realise as best they could. Worst of all, it is said that they will not realise very much. Tho same miller was recently fined £SOO by the Alillo.vner.s’ Association for a breach of their rules.

It was stated by a witness in a case heard in the AVellington Civil Court recently, that is was a regular custom on the part of insurance companies not to pay its canvassers regular salaries, but to make them weekly allowances with a stipulation that a certain amount of business should he done. For instance, in. tho case mentioned, the canvasser had to do £4OOO business a quarter in older to earn his allowance of £3 a week. If the work done were less than that,' the arrears would be ’died up against the canvasser, and any commissions earned would he deducted to pay off Iris debt to the company.

“The health of the Maori people is practically in the hands of the Sanitary Inspectors,” said Dr Pomare, Naivo Health Officer, to an Evening Post representative, “ and ou" recent conference of native inspectors in Auckland should do much towards the preservation of the raco. Tho native inspectors wore instructed in the hygiene of the home, drainage, ventilation, and cleanliness, in the prevention and treatment of infectious and epidemic diseases, and in various other matters, which are essential to public and private health. The work of the conference was something that has never been attempted before and wo look for practical results.”

Far from sympathising with farmers who wish for tho multiplication of stoats and weasels, a rustic resident of Flagstaff declared (asys tho Otago Daily Times) that such insects (as lie termed them) should never have been introduced here at all. He maintained that they were getting the upper hand, especially on tho slopes of Flagstaff, where lie had seen them in “droves” of 20 or 30. AVhen a weasel came face to face with anyone it just stood still and looked at him defiantly. Tho vermin were a perfect scourgo in poultry yards, but after stoats and weasels had been hunted a couple of times by a dog they lot the owner severely alono. The hint as to keeping a dog loose in the vicinity of a poultry run may ho found to bo of value.