methods. He also established an Orthoptic Clinic and also developed a mobile health education unit. On the Metropolitan Milk Board and in the Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand Royal Society, Blakelock took steps to improve the quality and safety of Christchurch milk. He was active in tuberculosis work and was on the Public Health Committee of the North Canterbury Hospital Board and the executive of the Tuberculosis Association. Blakelock organised the first M.M.R. survey in Christchurch in 1950. He took an active role in the work of the New Zealand Federation of Health Camps which saw him involved in the development of the Glenelg Health Camp. Establishment of the National Health Institute In 1952, Blakelock was appointed first Director of the National Health Institute in Wellington. The Institute building itself was opened in 1954. During his brief tenure work was commenced on toxoplasmosis, influenza A and B, psittacosis, Q fever, mumps and lymphocytic chorio-meningitis. Virus isolation had also been attempted. A salmonella reference service had been initiated and a leptospirosis diagnostic service introduced. These latter services were administered by Sydney Josland, a bacteriologist who had previously worked at the Wallaceville Animal Research Centre. Other work included a rat population survey for the X. cheopis flea and the manufacture of T.A.B. and smallpox vaccine. Death Blakelock died suddenly at his home in Wellington on 27 August 1955 at the age of 51. References Notes Sources "J. H. Blakelock, M.B., M.Sc., D.P.H., Obituary". British Medical Journal, 3 December 1955, page 1395. External links 1903 births 1955 deaths New Zealand public health doctors New Zealand public servants New Zealand medical administrators British emigrants to New Zealand