65

A.—2

objections exist to the use of the surgeries of public vaccinators in such towns, especially that they rarely afford the accommodation necessary for the number of children likely to be brought, and that they do not possess the distinctive public character which is desirable. 16. In rural districts schoolrooms are frequently found convenient for the purpose. It is of course necessary that the assent of the managers of the school should be obtained; that the vaccination should be fixed at such an hour as not to interfere with school arrangements; and particularly that the public vaccinator should have at the time fixed for vaccination the exclusive use of the schoolroom or class-room appointed for the purpose. 17. In order to secure at vaccination stations the punctual bringing-together of children (from some of whom lymph has to be taken for the vaccination of others), it is desirable that the time of attendance notified to parents should be that at which vaccination is intended to begin, as " at 10 a.m.," not " from 10 to 11 a.m." 18. The hour of public vaccination should never be fixed so late in the day as to make it impracticable to complete the business of the station by daylight. 19. Enough time (which should rarely be less than one hour) should be allowed between the times of attendance at different stations to enable the public vaccinator, after performing vaccination and making the necessary entries in the register at one station, to arrive punctually at the next. 20. The payments to be made for vaccinations performed at other places than stations should not in any case exceed the sum that would have been paid had the operation been performed at the station nearest to the residence of tho person vaccinated. 21. Every vaccination coutract must contain a stipulation or condition in accordance with section 7of " The Vaccination Act, 1867." The form in general use is as follows : — "A. " And it is hereby mutually agreed by and between the parties hereto that no money shall be paid to the said in respect of any person vaccinated by him until he shall have transmitted to the vaccination officer a certificate of the successful vaccination of such person, and otherwise fulfilled on his part the requirements of the Vaccination Acts, 1867 and 1871, and the regulations made thereunder." 22. The course to be taken if small-pox break out in a district where ordinarily the public vaccination is carried on periodically is explained in the office memorandum on the steps to be taken by Guardians in places in which small-pox is epidemic. 23. If an infectious disease, such as scarlatina, measles, or diphtheria, prevail to such an extent in a district that the public vaccinator considers that the bringing of children together for vaccination would be likely to spread the disease, he should represent the facts to the Guardians for communication with the Board, who will, on sufficient cause shown, be ready to authorize the postponement of the attendances prescribed by the contract. 21. A contractor for public vaccination must be a registered medical practitioner qualified in medicine and surgery, and (if admitted to practice since Ist January, 1860) possessing a special certificate of proficiency in vaccination from one of the Examiners authorized to grant such certificates for the purposes of the order of Ist December, 1859. 25. The duties of a public vaccinator must be habitually discharged by the contractor himself, and the employment of a deputy must be limited to those occasions when unavoidable circumstances prevent the contractor's personal attendance. 26. In order to provide for occasions when the public vaccinator is unavoidably absent, it is proper that a deputy (who must possess the same qualifications as a contractor) should be appointed under the Regulations of Ist December, 1859, and that the appointment, after having been submitted by the Guardians for the approval of the Local Government Board, should be indorsed upon the contract. It must be understood, however, that the approval of such appointment is not to be taken as authorizing any habitual omission on the part of the public vaccinator to perform in person the duties for which he is responsible. 27. Public vaccination cannot under any circumstances be legally performed by au unqualified person, and the Guardians cannot legally pay for any vaccination so performed. E. C. Seaton, M.D., Local Government Board, Ist January, 1879. Medical Officer.

No. 84 Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to the Oeeicer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 21th November, 1879. At the request of the Board of Trade, I have the honor to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, copies of " The Shipping Casualties Investigations Act, 1879." I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. 9—A. 2.