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in persons over 15 years of age. With the number of live births
averaging 1,450 over the last three years, it is estimated that only
about 40 per cent. of children are receiving primary vaccination
in early childhood.
With regard to the vital statistics of the District, the Birth
Rate continued its general post-war downward trend and reached
the lowest rate recorded this century, namely, 12.38. The Infant
Mortality Rate of 17.72 was the lowest yet recorded and I am glad
to report no deaths attributable to childbirth. The Death Rate
of 10.56 was slightly higher than last year. Over one-fifth of the
deaths occurred in persons over the age of 80 years, two women
reaching 100 years and one woman 101 years. Although the total
deaths were almost equally divided between males and females,
only 39 per cent. of the deaths over 80 years were males. These
proportions are similar to last year's figures.
The Department has always realised the importance of Health
Education amongst its duties and this is carried out in a variety
of ways. The many contacts of the staff with the public in the
course of their normal duties are considered the most important
methods, but opportunities are taken to address various organisations
and groups of people on health subjects. The Council has
also provided in its buildings and on convenient sites throughout
the district, notice boards on which posters are displayed, and
pamphlets are issued at times on a variety of subjects.
Proposed legislation in connection with Housing, Food and
Drugs, and Slaughterhouses, together with the awakened national
interest in atmospheric pollution, which may lead to greater control,
must inevitably increase considerably the volume of work and
degree of responsibility of the Department in the near future, and
at the time of writing this report, considerable preparatory work
in anticipation of the legislation has already been undertaken.
In conclusion, I should like once again to record my appreciation
of the efforts of the staff of the Health Department during the past
year, and to refer especially to the retirement of that well-known
and highly respected member of the Department, Mr. A. N. Smith,
Senior Sanitary Inspector, who spent his whole working life, 52
years, in the most conscientious service of the Council, and to
welcome his successor, Mr. J. C. Lightfoot, who commenced duty
in September, 1953.
William D. Hyde,
Medical Officer of Health.