NEW PUBLIC-HEALTH ACT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2218, 21 December 1920, Page 3

NEW PUBLIC -HEALTH ACT.

DUTIES OF BOCAL BODIES. IN SPECTION AN I) SANITATION. CHOICE OF A LTERNATIVES. Powers of local authorities under (lie new Public Heal 111 Act of Pl2O which comes into force on Januarv Ist next, are considerably enlarged, and I lie responsibilities proportionately increased. The powers that were formerly vested in hospital Boards for the control and investigation of infections diseases have now been removed and placed in the hands of various local" authorities, namely, the council of a borough, the board of a town, the council of a county, or the board of a road district, any county in which the Counties Ad, 1908, is suspended or is not in force. The term “district health officer” is replaced by the term “medical officer of health.” Section 20. part 11. of the Act empowers and directs local authorities to appoint such sanitary inspectors as are in its opinion necessary; to order regular iimpeetions to ascertain existence of nuisances or conditions that might be dangerous to the health of tenants; to make by-laws for protection of public health; to furnish reports as to diseases and sanitary conditions. Section 22 detines sanitary work', ineluding drainage, sewage disposal, waterworks, collection of retn-e. nightsoil, etc., disinfection and cleansing stations, mortuaries, and public sanitary conveniences. Glider Section 25 directions are found for the appointment of sanitary inspectors. The inspector of nuisances holding office at-the commencement of the Act shall be deemed to have been appointed under the Act, but after the Act comes into force any . sanitary inspector appointed must hold a certificate from the Royal Sanitary Institute or similar qualification. Under danse lof the same section, however, the local authority may contribute to the salary and expenses of the Inspector uf Health, and thereupon he shall perform all the functions and dunes of a sanitary inspector in the local authority’s district. Apparently the chief point for local bodies to consider, at the present stage is with regard to the control and investigation of infectious diseases..