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Infant Morta lity. The number of deaths of infants under one year of age
was twenty-one, as compared with 15 in 1953. The infant death rate was,
therefore, 26.6. Reference to this subject will be found on Page 12. Despite
this "set-back", the following table is worthy of consideration-
Year
Deaths under 1 year of age
No. o births
registered
Rate per 1.000
registered births
1900 333 2,245 148
1910 141 1,376 102
1920 73 1,392 52
1930 32 799 4-0
1940 15 428 4-0
1950 21 829 25
1951 19 819 23
1952 16 737 20
1953 15 787 19
1954 21 787 27
Since 1940, and until the year under review, there has been a tendency
for the dramatic improvement apparent in the early decades of this century
to decline. The rate must, however, be contemplated with the actual number
of births and deaths registered. It is then chylous that a greater
proportionate reduction in the number of deaths has occurred compared with
the decline in births.
Food Poisoning. Nineteen notifications were received during the year,
a decrease of four as compared with 1953. Reference to investigations under
this heading will be found, on Page 65.
Food and Drugs. Four hundred samples were submitted to the Council's
Analyst, Mr. T. MeLachlan, during 1954, and a comprehensive report of his
work is included herein. Forty-one, or 10.2 per cent, were found to be
adulterated; In thirteen instances "adulteration" was traced to labelling
inaccuracies or misdescription.
Food Hygiene is a section of this Department's work which receives
unflagging attention, and the efforts of all concerned can be well realised
from a study of this Report.
Housing Conditions are another important feature of the year's work.
It will be seen thai Underground Rooms have also received close attention.
The Welfare of Old People is a problem which is steadily meeting with
successful realisation, as will be seen from the section devoted to the
variety of facilities readily available. There are now 1,093 persons on
the register as coopered with 106 in 1950.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the Chairman of
Committees and individual members of the Council far the court say and consideration
shown me, and for the keen attention given to the problems I have
from time to time submitted to them. The friendly co-operation of all Chief
Officers and their staffs, and the loyalty of my colleagues in the Public
Health Department has done much, to make task a pleasant one.
I am, Mr. Mayor, My Lord, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
J.H. WEIR,
Medical Officer of Health.