The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 1884. MASTERTON MORTALITY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1770, 25 August 1884, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 1884. MASTERTON MORTALITY.

We do not believe that the mortality in Masterton as contrasted with other centres of population is excessive, but we are of opinion that it is greater than it ought to' be, We believe that the average annual number of deaths is about sixty, and of these about twentyfive per cent are the offspring of malaria. Though we have a Board of Health it does not furnish the public with any records of the-sanitary condition of the town,-nor does it call upon its medical officers for any general or periodical reports. We do not think we .are going too far when we assert that' the' Borough Council, as that Board, has been somewhat careless and indifferent in tho discharge of its duties. Possibly .the Council might deny this, but the deaths which have recently taken place in the town constitute an indictment which cannot well be met. It is easy to find fault, but the task of declaring what should be done is more difficult, Our own opinion is that the Council should require its Inspector to furnish periodical tabular reports on all the premises within the borough, in 'some such form as the following:—l. Name of householder; 2. Date of inspectors visit; 3. General condition of premises; 4, Nuisances existing on. same; 5, Directions given by officer for removal of same,. A report of such a character would give valuable information which would, enable the Council to control nuisances effectually and if supplemented by periodical reports from medical officers would be a guarantee against the negligence which has been apparent in the past, The Borough Council is not in a position to deal with sanitary questions now because it has not sufficient information at its command to take such general steps as may be necessary to prevent malaria. Inquiries of the character we suggest should be made in the first instance. If the result indicated the necessity for a systematic removal of all filth and rubbish by public scavengers or for public drainage it would be the duty of the. Council,, whatever might be the cost, to provide the .remedy.