H.—3l

66

Prosecutions under the Public Health and Allied Acts.

In addition to the prosecutions directly instituted by the Department, evidence was provided by Inspector Grieve and myself during the hearing of cases brought by the Department of Agriculture in connection with the condition of dairies and the milk-supply. The officials of the two Departments have been able to co-operate in improving the milk-supply. Together with Chief Inspector Haynes, of the City Council, and Inspector Grieve, of our Department, I made an inspection of the milk-shops and dairies in the city. A few premises declared unsuitable for the sale of milk had their licenses withdrawn. In others alterations and improvements were made. Speaking generally, the milk-supply of Auckland will compare favourably with that of other centres. The new regulations adopted by Onehunga are perhaps as up to date as any in vogue in any part of the world. A noticeable feature is the prohibition of any person suffering from any skin or loathsome disease being allowed to handle milk for purposes of sale. The diseases of syphilis and itch are specifically mentioned in the regulations, probably for the first, time in any sanitary regulations, with the exception of the New Zealand Quarantine Regulations and the old Contagious Diseases Act. Examination of Officers for Public Departments. In all 20 officers have been examined on behalf of Public Departments—for the Post Office, 12 ; Public Works Department, 6; Police, 1; Registrar of Medical Practitioners, 1. In some cases repeated examinations of these officers were made. The allocation of claims for compensation through alleged accidents contracted whilst in Government employ entails much minute examination, as well as the exercise of judgment as to the assessing of the damage to the employee as a working-unit. Although the work is interesting, it hardly falls within the province of a Medical Officer of Health. The examination of cadets for the Post and Telegraph service might also be more efficiently carried out by a medical man attached to that Department. The allocation of sickness-leave, in my opinion, should also devolve upon a medical man specially allotted for this work. Lectures. In addition to numerous addresses made to local authorities, Hospital Boards, Native Conferences, meetings of inhabitants in rural districts, Farmers' Association (re Milk Regulations), the following lectures have been given : — Nil Desperandum Lodge, Foresters: " The Economic Aspect of Sanitation." Maori Conference : " Work, the Salvation of the Maori." At Leys Institute : " The Role of Insects as Carriers of Disease." Two lectures at the Drill-hall on " Military Hygiene." Two addresses to the Native Sanitary Inspectors. Young Men's Christian Association: "Bible and Sanitation"; delivered at my request by Mr. Symons, District Clerk. Mass-meetings at Taumarunui, Te Kuiti, and Hikurangi. Addresses on cremation to Liberal and Labour Federation, and Trades and Labour Council. Liberal and Labour Federation : J' Infant-life Protection." Meeting of milk-vendors addressed by Dr. Mason, Chief Health Officer. Conference with medical practitioners and teachers on medical inspection of schools. Conference with Master Hairdressers' Association and Chief Health Officer. Conference with Auckland Chamber of Commerce and Chief Health Officer : The sale of Food and Drugs Act. Local Sanitation. Onehunga. —Together with Dr. Makgill, I attended the meeting of ratepayers re the extension of a water-supply, and am pleased to report that the vote was carried. Mr. Midgley Taylor, having been requested to report on the drainage scheme formulated by Mr. Metcalfe, strongly urged the inauguration of the work. Whangarei. —This Council has approved the principle of the introduction of a comprehensive drainage scheme, and will submit it to the ratepayers. Otahuhu. —Must introduce a water-supply to cope with the influx of settlers. Northcote has installed a water-supply, and with an old and tried servant as its first Mayor and a zealous Corporation is at present drawing up by-laws. Hamilton. —The Council obtained a loan of £2,000 to extend their sewerage system. There was much discussion re the discharge of an effluent from the Hospital septic tank into the Waikato River,

Final Hearing. Defendant. Be. Results. September 30, 1907 .. 30, „ .. )ctober 7, 1907 November 2, 1907 February 7, 1908 Dr. P. Mrs. H. .. T. Q. H. (Limited) M. G. Non-notification of infectious disease Being in charge of patient suffering from infectious disease, not informing owner of nature thereof Premises of which he was occupier being in insanitary condition Dirty and insanitary premises Falsely representing himself to be a qualified medical practitioner Selling poison—ergot, to wit —without being a registered chemist, &c. Fined £7, and costs. Convicted (costs remitted). Fined £5, and costs. Fined £2, and costs. Fined £30, and costs. Fined £10, and costs.