Page:Municipal Handbook of Auckland 1922.djvu/224

 Although the adoption of these powers was optional until recently, the Council had availed itself of them to the fullest extent, and the sanitary by-laws made thereunder leave little to be desired, even with the amplified meanings given to nuisances, and the additional means provided in the Health Act for dealing with unhealthy and other conditions.

In many respects this Act was of striking importance. It eliminated the Central Board of Health, took away the powers vested in local authorities as Local Boards of Health, and substituted a Ministry of Health, the safeguarding of the health of the people becoming a matter for the State. The country was divided into a number of health districts, with district health officers in the principal cities, thus rendering the local Medical Officers of Health unnecessary.

The transference of other health powers hitherto of local control followed, for in 1907, by the "Sale of Food and Drugs Act," the supervision of foodstuffs and the taking of samples by the Council's officers for analysis under the "Adulteration Prevention Act, 1880," became the duty of the Department of Health. In 1910, by an Amendment of the definition of "Local Authority" in the "Public Health Act," Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards became responsible for everything relating to infectious diseases, including the inspection and disinfection of premises.