MATTERS OF HEALTH

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1926, Page 1

MATTERS OF HEALTH

RATANA VILLAGE. “APPALLING CONDITIONS.” WANGANUI, May 17. Health officers have been paying particular attention to Ratana Pa in view of the fact that, a typhoid patient attended a gathering there, and later was jn contact willi the natives in Hawke's Bay.

Doctors AlcKibbin and Boyd spentthe latter end of the week at Ratana, where 2GO natives were inoculated. The outstanding feature of the visit, according to Dr McKibbin, was the discovery of appalling living conditions at the village. The Health authorities intend to compel subscribers to the Ratana movement to improve the sanitation at headquarters. “The village has been constructed in defiance of elementary principles,” said Dr AfcKibbiti, in an interview, “and constitutes a definite element of danger to the whole population of the country, since from 500 to 2000 natives congregate there from time to time. The village has grow)! very considerably as membership in the Ratana movement has grown, and now consists of ‘streets’ of cottages set do.-v together. Such amenities as baths have been provided in many cases but there is not a community water or drainage system, and it is to the absence of those that the authorities take particularly strong exception. “Tt is absolutely imperative and urgent that the Rangitikei County Council should pass a by-law at the earliest opportunity prohibiting under the Health Act. the building in the Ratana area of any dwelling on less than a quarter of an aero, and compelling the institution of water and drainage systems.

MATTERS OF HEALTH. [BY TELEUHAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Afay 19. The Afinister of Health, Hon J. A Young, speaking on the typhoid outbreak at Ratana Pah. stated approximately two thousand natives had been vaccinated in Hawke’s Bay and the middle North Island districts with a view to rendering them inynune from contagion. In times of stress, such as epidemics, vaccine was administered free. Doctors Buck and AlcKibbon had been co-operating in the districts affected and had done good work. Acting on information received from Australian regarding the prevalence of influenza in the Commonwealth, the Afinister of Health states there is nothing at present to cause alarm in New Zealand and he had the assurance of his department that it was prepared i'or any emergency.