Page:Municipal Handbook of Auckland 1922.djvu/221



The formation of the Sanitary Department practically dates from 1902, when the Council decided to separate the duties of Inspector of Nuisances from the Traffic Inspector's Office, and to establish a department responsible only for the health and sanitation of the City. This step was the outcome of the new health legislation, which brought matters affecting the health and welfare of the community into prominence, and necessitated increased activity on the part of local bodies.

Previous to this, the statutory duties of preventing and suppressing nuisances, and protecting the people against any outbreak of infectious diseases, had been carried out in a manner conformable with the opinions then prevalent respecting such matters. The Inspector's powers were extremely limited. He reported to the Council upon the cleanliness of all streets, public places, and drains, and as to any nuisances: visited and inspected back yards and premises, rubbish receptacles, and "all buildings in which any manufactory, trade, or business is carried on which, from its nature, may become offensive to the inhabitants of the borough or injurious to health," but, for some reason difficult to comprehend, "the decision of the Council as to what building" should be inspected hereunder was "final."