408 KEPOET— 1891. 



done as to registration and stamping out disease, and referred 

 to the law of Holland, British legislation, the Public Health Act, 

 the Local Improvement Acts, and the Prevention of Diseases 

 Act. He drew attention to the fact that, owing to improved 

 sanitary measures, there had been a decline of 45 per cent, in 

 mortality from typhoid during the last ten years ; and men- 

 tioned the defects of the Public Health Act of -New Zealand 

 owing to its permissive character, and to the non-appointment 

 of medical officers of health. Scientific questions w^hicli could 

 be settled by the registration of disease — the change of type of 

 disease, &c. — were also dealt with. 



4. On the Sanitary Defence of Neio Zealand. 



By W. E. Hacon, L.E.C.P. Lond. 



The author points out that the present Health Act is inopera- 

 tive, and that many more medical officers of health require to 

 be appointed. Further, that these medical officers, instead of 

 being under the control of public bodies, should be under the 

 direct control of a Minister of Public Health. The institution 

 of a well-organized society for the discussion and publication 

 of information bearing upon national health would also be of 

 equal service, especially if at the same time instruction in 

 physiology and the laws of health were made a recognised 

 department of the educational system of the country. 



5. Demography of South Australia. 

 By Thomas Boethwick, M.B. Edin. 



6. On the Scioerage Question, and the Desirability of introducing 

 the Pneumatic System invented by CaiAain Liernur. 



By Benjamin Backhouse, H.A.E.I.B.A., Chairman of the 

 the City of Sydney Improvement Board. 



Though to some the subject of this paper may appear un- 

 savoury and uninteresting, thoughtful people, we are per- 

 suaded, will gladly learn how dirt can literally be blown out 

 of every house, unnoticed by the inmates, and be conveyed to 



