James Mason

James Malcolm Mason (22 August 1864 – 9 May 1924) was a New Zealand medical doctor, bacteriologist and public health administrator who was instrumental in the creation of the New Zealand public health system in the early 20th century.

Early life and education Mason was born in Arbroath, Angus, Scotland on 22 August 1864. He received his Scottish medical qualifications (LRCP, LRCS and LFPS) from Anderson's College Medical School in 1887, followed by an MD in Brussels.

Career

Mason practised in Portsmouth and Northumberland before emigrating to New Zealand in 1895. Mason and Gilruth were appointed to investigate New Zealand's sanitary conditions.

During World War I, Mason served as a bacteriologist on the hospital ship SS Marama.

Personal life Mason married Kate Susan Jenkins in London in 1891; they had a son and a daughter.

He died in Lower Hutt on 9 May 1924.

Selected publications

Some old truths about rural sanitation (1896) New Zealand and the Cook Islands : leprosy past and present (1904) The attitude of New Zealand towards consumption (1907) Some notes on military hygiene (1908) Sidelights on the work of a health officer (1908) Public Health in New Zealand (190?)