SAFEGUARDING PUBLIC HEALTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 4, 6 January 1903, Page 2

SAFEGUARDING PUBLIC HEALTH.

♦ *- A DISTRICT SANITARY INBPE7KHL Dr. Valiktikb, District Health Offioer, waited on the Taranaki County Council on Monday relative to the qu'itfoa of the Oaun'y combining with other local badiet in piying a Sauitary Inspector. He said that since he last brought the matter before the Council he had arranged for the appointment of Inspectors in other phces, and he was anxious to, secure the services of an Inspector for this district. Inglewood}'^ - ' Waitara, Stratford, and Eltham had all agreed to the proposal, and it only remained for the Taranaki and Stratford Counties to consent, and the appointment could be made. Unless tbu wae done sanitary work would be hindered, and the outbreak of on epidamio would then be a coitly matter. The adoption of his proposal would not only be la the public interest, but be economical. It reply to Or. McDonald, he cptima'ed the Council's contribution would be about £BO. The Chairman said the difficulty was that the respontibility under the Act l rested with the Road Board?, and vn- , 1 as the Act was amended it was i thought the County could not contribute. ; Dr. Valiniine pointed out thatthe> Council wa* a local body under the Act and was responsible for any cases of infectious disease iu its district. He , was quite sure the Council was legally entitled to contribute to the salary fund. Since last May other Councils : bad made their contribution without demur on the Auditor's part. | In reply to the Chairman, he stated : that the total expense of the offioer . would be about £3OO a year, insloeive .of £IOO for travelling expanse*, the I Depar men! providing a railway pass. j Should an outbreak of infections disease I take place, tbe Council would find it- ' self is a quondary. i In reply to e her questions, he stated ' that bis estimate of £BO did not inelude the Paribaka Riding, nor Inglswood town. The Inglawood Town fioatd had agreed to piy £ls. I The Ohairuun was of opinion that !if £25 was accepted as the County's contribution, it might be eaootiosed. It was for the Council to make terns, ! Dr Valintine explained that his duties covered tbe area from Wellington to Waitara, inoluding Watrarapa, and thuiefora it was necessary to have) Inspectors dotted about making periodical visits, disinfeoting all plao«s whan infectious disease ocourred, and reporting monthly to tha Distriot Health Officer. Iu a dairying distriot like Taranaki the question of infection snch as scarlet fever was a serious matter, and uoloaa an Inspeotor was on the spot <o arrange wbat was to be done so as to avoid loss, tha dairy whAre the outbreak ooourred would suff r greatly. Cr Hill moved that, provided the expenditure was lojgal, tha Council vote £SO towards tha e;ip?nd cf a unitary officer. i Cr. Andrews s?o3nded tha notion! which was carried. Dr Vdliutina expressed bis thanks tor the grant, though hi regretted it was not large. He would now get the Taranaki diitriot gizatted. i j.iii i. i—tmngaae