THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1882. THE INSPECTION OF DAIRIES.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2641, 23 September 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1882. THE INSPECTION OF DAIRIES.

Ik a series of articlea on the subject of the Inspection of Dairies, we some time ago advanced the argument that it was not by any means imperative to have a highly paid medical man as Inspector. It seemed to ns then as now a great waste of public money to appoint a highly paid official, when the work could b» quite as efficiently done hy the ordinary Inspector of Nuisances. This idea was very warmly combatted hy the then Board, who contended for the appointment of a special medical man, and a rate of salary ranging from £2OO to £SOO per annnm was spoken of. Now it appears that the Government have taken exactly the same view that we did soma mouths back, and have intimated to ib» Board that it is not necessary to appoint a Medical Inspector. So far so good; but the Board have so far been too apathetic in carrying the matter of inspection into practical effect. If we are to believe the reports sent in periodically by the medical officer there appears to be great danger from the contamination of milk by sewage, &c. Yet the Board have as yet, beyond discussing at some length the salary to ho paid the Medical Inspector, practically done nothing. They have, it is true, obtained the registration of a few dairies, but we fail to find from the record of their proceedings that the Inspector of Nuisances has ever furnished a report as to the state of the numerous dairies in the district. Only at the last meeting of the Board of Health a petition revealed the peculiar state of things that in a district from which Christchurch draws the greater portion of its milk supply, there was one slaughter-boose in close proximity to of the dairies, and another proposed to be established. If there is anything in the theory propounded with considerable persistency by the Medical Officer that the germs of disease are conveyed by means of millr from dairies in a bad sanitary state, then it seems to us high time that the Board of Health left off theorising and went to work. The great difficulty which encompassed them of voting a salary for the Medical Inspector is now done away with, and they are free to utilise the material at their disposal in the shape of the Medical Officer and Inspector of Nuisances. A great deal was made of the Board not having power to inspect outside their district, cut that is very simply disposed of hy obtaining the authority of local bodies, who, in the cause of health, would no doubt only he too ready to grant the power desired. This being so, the Board can proceed exactly as they would do with an ordinary inspection, taking advantage of the extra powers conferred on them fay the Order in Council. The Inspector of Nuisances, in addition to his house- to-house inspection, would also inspect and report upon the dairies in the district. In cases where it was deemed necessary to have the opinion of the Medical Officer of Health, it would of course be available, as it is now, for matters of defective drainage, Ac. Thus it seems to us that & check could be kept over the dairymen, and cleanliness enforced, without, as it was at first proposed to do, burdening the ratepayers with expensive officials, for whom really there is no need. As the matter is one very nearly affecting the public health, we trust to see the Board take soma steps for an early and rigid inspection of the premises of the various dairymen. Once this is done it will not be necessary to make very frequent visits. The knowledge that they are subject at any moment to an official inspection resulting probably, if there is great disregard of sanitary precautions, in the loss of trade, will induce the proprietors of dairies to take all reasonable precautions to keep their respective premises clean. But If, after all the talk and all the fuss that baa

’baen made about the subject, the Boar are content to allow the Order in Council to reipain a dead letter, thea tbo chances are the proprietors of dairies will bo equally careless, and an epidemic may arise which might be attended with serious consequences. The Chairman of the Board of Health has ample power to cause such an inspection as wo have suggested made, and a report prepared for the next meeting of the Board. If all the premises inspected are in fairly good order, well and good; and any requiring attention can receive notice. Thus at any rate some steps will bo taken te avert any evil consequences which otherwise may arise.