PUBLIC HEALTH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3707, 17 December 1912, Page 7

PUBLIC HEALTH.

PREVENTION OF ENTERIC FEVER.

CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES.

A conference-of local bodies regarding. enteric fever was held at the office of the Cook Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday afternoon. There were present : Mr H. KenWffy (chairman), The Mayor, Messrs TV Jex-Blake, C. li. Williams, G. K. Humphreys, G. E. Jones W. Webb, J. W. Bright, T. B. Spence, J. Brown, and Geo. Smith. *

The Chairman said that they had met to try to arrive at some mode of action regarding the spread of fever m this district, and among !bo

Maoris particularly. The chief difficulty uas the Muriwai Pa, and efforts were made to have it removed. A conference was held with ,Dr. C-hcsson on the subject, but there were difficulties in the way and it would need legislation to close the pa. During the last few months there had been 44 cases emanating from there and something had to be done. Dr. Chesson had visited the pa and condemned some of the houses. The land on which the pa was situated was under the control of Mr Coleman, Native Land Trust Commissioner, and he could do nothing until the necessary legislation was passed. The Mayor said that the Council had power under the by-laws to prevent building going on, but they did not Jiave power to close the Pa. Mr Williams said that the pa was situated on low-lying land and the water was got from shallow wells which were unhealthy. Mr Humphreys said that this p'a was the cause'of a great deal of fever and the Board was anxious to get it closed.

Mr Jex Blake said that the majority of the natives at the pa had gone to what was known as Barton’s. What ho objected to was that all the Maori shearers went to the pa and then travelled all over the district. Mr Bright thought that under tho Act the Board might be able to make the conditions so stringent that they could not reside at the pa. The Chairman said that lie was informed by Mr Coleman that they were mostly “squatters” at the Muriwai l>a. Mr Williams said that Dr Chesson had demanded that certain houses should he removed and the open shallow wells closed. Tiie other houses had to be repaired and improved where necessary.

Mr Bright said that the Chairman ' had remarked that these Maoris were ■‘squatters” and therefore he thought they should be treated as trespassers. Tiis Chairman said that Mr Coleman had informed him that this could not be done. Mr Humphreys moved: “That this conference of public men, representing the whole district of Poverty Bay, urge on the Government to promptly amend the Public Health Act so as to give power to the Local Health Authority to consider the site of and remove, root and branch, unhealthy settlements on swampy or unsuitable ground proved to be a grave menace to public health in the spread of typhoid fever and other diseases.” He said that the chief work tho Board put their minds to where they had such a large amount of typhoid was prevention. It seemed a pity that they had to spend such a large amount in curing sickness and they should prevent it if possible. The Board had had the matter before them for some time, and had come to the conclusion that something should* he done to remove unhealthy settlement.

Mr Jex Blake seconded the motion

Mr Bright thought that the Act gave the Health Officer power to declare a place insanitary and then he could bring the residents of that place under the penal clauses if they still inhabited such place. The Chairman remarked that Dr. Chesson said he did not have the necessary power. ' Mr Williams said that Dr. Chesson had stated that if they shifted tho people they would have had to find them other houses.

The Chairman said that Dr. Chosson had informed him there was a fund from which the Government could assist the Board in this matter if any expense was incurred. The amount to which they were entitled was not specified. Mr Bright said that the resolution was all right, hut he thought that thev should inquire from the District Health Officer whether lie could not deal right away with ‘‘squatters’ under section 18 of the Public Health Act and the. subsequent sections. Mr Williams pointed out that the Natives would only drift to other settlements and overcrowd them if they were turned out of Muriwai. Mr Bright said he wanted the matter dealt with right away and they should not leave it to future legislation to effect the improvements. The motion was carried. The Mayor thought that if a Minister visited the district he should be informed of the Board’s difficulty and if possible he be taken to view the site. , , tt The Chairman said that the Hon. W. Berries might help them. He (the speaker) intended in the New Year to move in the Cook County Council that- a strong deputation be sent to/Wellington to interview the Goveijfnnent on various matters and thisjmiglit be one of the subjects. ■ m reply to a question by the Mayor tbo Chairman said the removal of

imildings from low-lying and swampy Aground would apply equally to European buildings. Mr Bright then moved : “That the District Health Officer he requested to state whether the Public Health Act contains sufficient powers to deal with such insanitary places as the Muriwai Native pa and if so it requests these powers he put into operation at once. The motion was carried.

The Mayor wanted to know whether if Dr. Chesson replied that he had the power would it he necessary to pursue the matter of further legislation ? 'Phe Chairman said that he did not think so. but Dr. Chesson had informed the Board further legislation was necessary. Mr Bright said that under the Borough by-laws they had power to inspect food supplies and what he particularly liad in mind was fruit. Ho did not wish to imply there was any unscrupulous fruiterers in Gisborne, but lie would like to see the fruit inspected. Adults .could protect themselves, hut children might, perhaps, get hold of bad fruit and contract disease. He thought the attention of the Council should be called to the matter.

The conference decided to write to the Council on the matter.