Page:Municipal Handbook of Auckland 1922.djvu/225

 By an arrangement with the Health Department and the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Auckland retained control over infectious diseases, and although it was the only city to do so, its action was fully justified, when the Health Authorities ten years later, as a result of their experience here and elsewhere, restored the responsibility to the municipal authorities.

"The Public Health Act, 1900," as amended from time to time, was consolidated in 1908, and with further occasional amendments up to 1919, it became gradually more complicated, uncertain in meaning, and unnecessarily costly in administration. The powers given to local authorities were numerous and varied, but most, if not all of them, as well as the funds and machinery of the local authorities to a considerable extent, were at the disposal of the Chief or District Health Officer or the Minister, and could be controlled by the Health Department "both legally and practically to an almost unlimited extent."

Included in the many improvements this Act possesses over its predecessor, the following are worthy of mention:—It defines the relative responsibilities of the State and local authorities for safeguarding the health of the people, eliminates some overlapping of sanitary control that previously existed, gives extended powers for dealing with unhealthy conditions, sets a much higher standard of sanitation, and delegates to