H.—3l

66

Dunedin and Suburbs.

REPORT OP DR. POMARE, HEALTH OFFICER TO THE MAORIS. Dr. Mason, Chief Health Officer. It seems but yesterday when I was making out my last annual report, so quickly has the time passed away. A considerable amount of time and energy has been expended in getting the Village Councils throughout the Islands started. The fact was recognised that when the machinery of the Native Councils was properly trimmed and started, it would be a power that would materially affect the Maoris. The question of having some local authority to see to the carrying-out of all the sanitary recommendations has been a long-felt want. For this and other purposes the entire colony has been visited, meetings have been convened, the Act fully discussed, plans of sanitary work laid down, a general enlightening as to the best methods of active work for the Village Committees to follow has taken place, and a detailed report of each village visited has been sent in, with suggestions for improvements in water-supplies, drains, closets, dwellinghouses, kautas, meeting-houses, fowl-yards, pig-sties, &c. All this has entailed a great deal of work, and as there has been practically only one man for the whole colony, without even a single sanitary inspector to do the inspecting, the marvel is that we have been able to accomplish as much as we have. No one can doubt for a moment the good work which was commenced. Many would like to see quicker strides in the improving of Maori kaingas, but when one knows the racial and tribal prejudices, the tenacity of certain customs, the influences of the old traditions, the communistic system of living, it is only then that one realises the immensity and difficulties of the work and recognises how marvellous indeed is that which has been done. The aid of sanitary inspectors will be the fulfilling of a long-felt want, as it has been almost impossible for one man to do justice to such a large field. One Inspector has been transferred from the Native Department, and I trust more will be appointed almost immediately. The following regulations concerning these inspectors were drawn up : — Duties of Sanitary Inspectors for the Maoris. 1. He shall by inspection of the district, both systematically at certain periods and at intervals as occasion may require, keep himself informed in respect of the nuisances existing therein that require abatement. 2. He shall make a house-to-house inspection of the Maori whares in a pa, and note their condition in respect to the fences, maraes, location, water-supplies, closets, drains, floors, windows, chimneys, beds, number of people sleeping in whares, ventilation of dwelling and meeting houses, kautas, or any other matter that might affect the health of the residents. 3. He shall wherever practicable see that Maori corpses are not allowed to remain unburied for a longer period than that specified in the district by-laws or the Public Health Act. 4. He shall, upon receiving notice or becoming aware of the existence of any nuisance or the breach of any regulations, as soon as possible visit the spot and inquire into the alleged nuisance or breach of regulation. He shall immediately advise the occupier of the premises in writing of the precautions and alterations which he considers necessary, providing the cost of alteration or destruction of any property does not exceed £5 ; otherwise he is first to consult the Health Officer to Maoris or the Chief Health Officer. He shall also notify the Council controlling the district. 5. He shall persuade and advise that no putrid food, such as rotten corn, rotten potatoes, or any other food that may be injurious to health, is partaken of by the native inhabitants of any kainga or village. He shall, if in any case doubt arises in his mind concerning anything which he may think inimical to the Maoris' health, report the matter to the Health Officer for the Maoris with a view of obtaining his advice thereon. 6. He shall give immediate notice to the Health Officer for the Maoris of the occurrence within his district of any contagious or infectious disease, or concerning any indigent Native who is a fit subject for a hospital and who desires to go to one. 7. He shall inform the Health Officer for the Maoris whenever any occasion arises where he considers his intervention is required in consequence of the existence of any danger to public health, due to nuisances, the overcrowding of houses, &c. 8. He shall meet the Komiti Maraes whenever possible, and impress upon them by example and persuasion how urgent it is that they give their fullest attention to the by-laws and regulations laid down under the Act. 9. He shall enter from day to day in a book to be provided particulars of his inspection, and of the action taken by him in the execution of his duties. He shall also keep a book or books, to be provided by the Health Department, so arranged so as to form as far as possible a continuous record of the sanitary conditions of each of the kaingas in respect of which any action has been taken under the Public Health Act, and shall keep any other systematic records that the Health Officer to the Maoris may require. 10. He shall at all reasonable times, when applied to by the Health Officer for the Maoris, produce to him his books, or any of them, and render to him such information as he may be able to furnish with respect to any matter to which the duties of Inspector under the Act relate. 11. He shall, if directed by the Health Officer for the Maoris to do so, superintend and see to the due execution of all works which may be undertaken under his direction for the suppression or removal of nuisances within the district. 12. In matters not specially provided for in this Order, he shall observe and execute all the lawful orders and directions of the Health Officer for the Maoris or the Chief Health Officer.

Disease. April. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 93 127 61 60 3 12 Jan. Feb. Mar. Total. Death-rate. Scarlet fever Measles ... Tuberculosis Enteric fever Diphtheria Blood-poisoning 4 3 1 3 3 3 7 1 3 2 5 7 1 3 1 4 8 1 1 2 5 2 4 5 6 1 1 1 1 46 23 10 1 1 154 25 6 1 4 1 111 3 9 2 122 673 1 193 3 73 1 10 21 1 7 22 = 3-2 6 = 3-1 84 3 = 30 6 = 28-5 8 "2 "2 j "l 2 Total number of diseases in each month 11 17 18 17 13 15 81 159 200 191 127 128 i 977