HEALTH AND SANITATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2449, 13 March 1909, Page 5

HEALTH AND SANITATION.

ADDRESS BY DR. MASON

There was a large audience in His Majesty’s Theatre last evening, when the Chief Health Officer, Dr. J. M. Mason, delivered -a lecture upon public health and sanitation.

Cr. W. P'ettie occupied the chair, and briefly introduced Dr. Mason and apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Mr. W. D. L'ysnar), who is indisposed. As Cr. Pettie was speaking the Mayor entered and took a seat upon the platform .

Dr. Mason, ivho was greeted with applause, said tile typhoid germ could only enter the human system through either eating him or drinking him. it was in the hope that the people would do something to remove from Gisborne tlie word of •‘filthy,” said Dr. Mason, that he had come upon the platform, and unless the people were stirred up and something definite done, all talk would only be beating the wind. He had never met a town with more flies in his life. There was no doubt the fly had played an important part in spreading the epidemic in Gisborne. The fly was able to carry all kind of organisms from refuse matter into food. Back yards should not be the place to throw the slops, because the soil became soddened, and it would be possible to kill a guinea pig in a few hours with a solution taken from a soddened back yard, and the same back yards would kill a man. It paid the people of a town to he clean. 'This town had 28 cases of enteric and several cases of diphtheria, and a loss resulted from the loss of the labor that could be done if the sick people were well. The nightsoil system cost £I2OO a year, and with that sum, and the cost of an epidemic enough money could be borrowed to drain the town. A town of the importance of Gisborne should long ago have undertaken a water-carriage system of sewerage. Instead of laymen estimating the value of various they should be put before a council of experts. He said that lie recognised the large amount of time and trouble the Mavor had given to the question of- drainage. The measures he (Dr. Afasay) had advocated were going to make for good health, for what prevented enteric fever prevented other diseases, especially consumption. He hoped that within two years New Zealand would he able to soy to the indigent sufferer. “Here is a shelter, come and try and get better,” for of all diseases consumption was the most easily prevented. The sputum was the only source- of infection, and a man who spat upon the street should be prosecuted. If proper preventative measures were taken, New Zealand would be free of consumption in a very few years. , , , The Mavor said he was pleased to be able to be present to bear the able address given bv Dr. Mason. There was a great deal to bo done in considering the drainage question, and lie blamed the people as much as the Council for the people had the right to say whether they wanted drainage or not. The people only wanted value for their money, and did not want any favored part of the town served with a sewage system. It was for the ratepayers to elect councillors pledged to put the two schemes before experts, and abide by their report. He did not control the Council, bat the ratepayers did. In answer to questions. Dr. Mason said he had nor noticed any smell from the Gisborne freezing works, and it was for the people to say if the works should ex ; st close tc the town. He had visited the works, and had suggested that certain improvements should he carried out, and he had no doubt the company would do so. Every town should have a noxious trades area, and such an area should be set apart in this district. The town should install a sealed pan sanitary system until drainage could be undertaken. The Council should see 'that the people got a pure and clean food supply.. The Mavor proposed a hearty vote of thanks to‘ Dr. Mason for his address. Mr. C. A. deLautour seconded the motion, which was carried with acclamation, and the meeting closed.