Numb. 39.

901

SUPPLEMENT
TO THE
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
OF
THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1900.
Published by Authority.

WELLINGTON, MONDAY, MAY 7, 1900.

Commission to inquire into Sanitary Condition of certain Parts of the Colony.

RANFURLY, Governor.

To all to whom these presents shall come, and to Frederick Irving De Lisle, Esquire, of Napier, Doctor of Medicine.

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:

And whereas, by Commission bearing date the twenty-third day of April, one thousand nine hundred, and published in Gazette of the same date, James Malcolm Mason and John Anderson Gilruth (hereinafter referred to as “the General Commissioners”) were appointed Commissioners for the purposes aforesaid in respect of the whole colony, with the powers and functions specified in their said Commission: And whereas it is expedient to obtain similar information with respect to particular parts of the colony by means of other Commissioners:

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

FREDERICK IRVING DE LISLE,

to be a Commissioner for the purpose of inquiring into and reporting upon the following matters within the Provincial District of Hawke’s Bay:—

(1.) The sanitary conditions of various ports and places in that provincial district, including marine quarantine stations.

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

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

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

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 yourself 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 hand and seal 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 in that provincial district 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 recommendation as aforesaid to a Local Board of Health or Harbour Board, the Board is hereby enjoined 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 recommendation.

(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 recommendation 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.