Num. 32.

775

SUPPLEMENT

TO THE

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

OF

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1900.

Published by Authority.

WELLINGTON, MONDAY, APRIL 23, 1900.

Commission to inquire into Sanitary Condition of the Colony.

RANFURLY, Governor.

To all to whom these presents shall come, and to James Malcolm Mason, Esquire, of Otaki, Doctor of Medicine, and to John Anderson Gilruth, Esquire, of Wellington, Chief Government Veterinarian.

WHEREAS it is expedient to obtain information as to the sanitary condition of the colony, and the steps to be taken to prevent the introduction or spread of the bubonic plague, and other dangerous, infectious, or contagious diseases:

Now, therefore, I, Uchter John Mark, Earl of Ranfurly, Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, in pursuance and exercise of all powers and authorities enabling me in this behalf, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, do hereby appoint you the said

JAMES MALCOLM MASON and
JOHN ANDERSON GILRUTH

to be Commissioners, for the purpose of inquiring into and reporting upon the following matters:—

(1.) The sanitary conditions of various ports and places in the colony, including marine quarantine stations.

(2.) The measures to be adopted for the improvement of the sanitary conditions of any port or place.

(3.) The measures to be adopted to prevent the introduction or spread of the bubonic plague and other dangerous infectious or contagious diseases.

(4.) The hospital accommodation and means of isolation available for cases of bubonic plague.

And you are hereby authorised and empowered to have before you and examine all books, papers, writings and documents whatsoever, which you may deem necessary for your information on the subject-matter of this inquiry. And also to have before you and examine on oath or otherwise as may be allowed by law all witnesses and other persons you may judge to be capable of affording you any information touching or concerning the premises. And also to avail yourselves of the services of all members of the police force.

And I further require you within sixty days from the date of these presents, or as much sooner as can conveniently be done, using all diligence, to certify to me under your hands and seals your opinion upon the subject-matter of the said inquiry.

Irrespective of the last-mentioned requirements, I hereby direct as follows:—

(1.) In any case where you are satisfied that in any specified locality within the jurisdiction of a Local Board of Health or Harbour Board any specified nuisance exists, or any specified building or place is in a condition dangerous to the public health, or any specified means should be adopted to prevent the introduction or spread of the bubonic plague, you shall forthwith report the matter with your recommendation thereon by telegraph to the Colonial Secretary, and shall also for the purpose of assisting such Board to protect the public health report the matter in writing with your recommendation thereon to the Board.

(2.) In every case where you make report and recommendations as aforesaid to a local Board of Health or Harbour Board, the Board is hereby empowered to forthwith employ all means exercisable by it under “The Public Health Act, 1876,” or its local governing Act, or otherwise howsoever in order to give full and prompt effect to your report and recommendations.

(3.) In every case where you are of opinion that any such Board is not taking prompt steps to give full effect to your report and recommendations you shall forthwith notify the fact to the Colonial Secretary by telegraph, and he shall thereupon take such action as in the interests of the public health he deems expedient.

(4.) For the purpose of further assisting such Board to give full and prompt effect to your report and recommendations all members of the Police Force are hereby enjoined to co-operate with such Board.

And I do hereby declare that this Commission shall continue in full force, and that subject to these presents, you, the said

JAMES MALCOLM MASON and
JOHN ANDERSON GILRUTH

shall and may from time to time proceed in the subject-matter hereof at such time and times within the prescribed limits, and at such place or places as you may deem expedient. And I do hereby further declare that this Commission is issued subject to the provisions of “The Commissioners’ Powers Act, 1867,” and “The Commissioners’ Powers Act 1867 Amendment Act, 1872.”

Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable Uchter John Mark, Earl of Ranfurly; Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George; Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty’s Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies; and issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at the Government House, at Wellington, this twenty-third day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred.

J. G. WARD,
Colonial Secretary.

Approved in Council.

HUGH POLLEN,
Acting-Clerk of the Executive Council.

By Authority: JOHN MACKAY, Government Printer, Wellington.