THE ABATTOIR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3570, 3 October 1916, Page 3

THE ABATTOIR.

QUESTION OF SANiTARY CONTROL.

VESTED IN HOSPIffAL BOARD

At tho last meeting of tho Ashburton Hospital and Chariablo Aid Board mo question of controlling the sanitary arraugemcnls at the. abattoir and ijDiniig-ao.j-.i vuivl;:, \w.s di.sL-usi.sua, and it was decided to write to Dr. Chessou district Health Officer, respecting' the true position in regard to the proper administration in tho County of those sections of the Public Health Act which,' by Gazette notice; the Hospital Board had been empowered to curry out.

Dr. Chesson wrote, in reply, that there was obviously 'some misconception on tho part of the 'board as to its duties and functions under tho Piib lie Health Act. Before- tho board undertook the control of sanitary work, beyond the sections dealing with infectious disease, there were- in the dis triot several local sanitary authorities including road boards and the Borough Council of Ashburton. He understood that a!l tho rojjl boards had delegated as much of their power as they could fco the Hospital 'Board, and for that purpose tho board was the local sanitary authority, and possessed' the powers of a local sanitary authorityno more and no less. Tlie Borough of Ashburton did not delegate its powers, and beyond dealing directly with infectious diseases in the Borough, the board had no. jurisdiction. Tho practical point was that instead of there being a dozen or more little sanitary authorities scattered all over the I County, the board becomes tho local I sanitary authority within tho County, | Ivit not in the Borough. The Public 1 Health Department was, of course, the centre controlling .in all tilings ' regarding public health, and had powers beyond those of the local authority, but there was no desire on the pa,rt of the Department to clash in anyir'way, and in fact such clashing t was' practically impossible. It was very seldom that tho Department acted directly, and when it did so it was generally with the object of. making things easier for all parties concerned. With regard to the administration of the board's district, things were a little bit mixed up owing to tho board having arranged with tho Department for the services of one of the inspector's from tho Health Department's staff to act as sanitary inspector to the board. In regard to the boiling-down works. Dr. Chesson wrote that lie had directed Inspector Kcrshaw to take the matte'in "hand as the .board's inspector,' and he thought the board would agree that that was a practical way of dealing with tho matter. The inspector would report to the board as well as to the Department. In regard to the ab.'ii:toir, although-it was situated in-the County, it was the property of.^an,other local sanitary, authority" and rather than pit'oho sanitary authority against- another, he had dealt dirocth with the matter, a practice which ho had always adopted in such matters. The Department had no intention "of ignoring tb" board." Wai'functions. The chairman said there was.no doubt in his mind as to who should have tho sanitary control of the abattoir, because it was situated in the board's dictrict.

Mr C. Reid said tho fact that im-provements-had''been o'arriod out at the abattoir and boiling-down works showed that the action taken by the board had been justified. If the board had not taken, action, matters would probably have gone on in the same way a"s formerly. Reforms had now been carried out. The drainage at the battoir was now receiving' attention. and tho system, with the employment of extra labour j wotild probably prove satisfactory. The board then adjourned for luncheon," and on resuming, Dr. Chesson waited on the board to explain any points that might arise during the discussion of his letter.

Dr. Chesson stated that his letter practically explained the position between the Health Department and the Hospital Board. Tinder section S3 of the Health Act tho board was the local authority controlling health matters in the County. The board' had no control in the. Borough except' over ■infectious diseases. The abattoir was in a peculiar position. It- was in the County, but was the property of the Borough Council. There seemed to bo no reason-to doubt that the Boron^i 1 (V'ti")] would da. its duty. "He had inspected the abattoir and had made recommendations to the Borough Council. If the council failed to carry put .improvements at, any time, then he could take steps to make it do so under i.he Health Act. The chairman said the board considered it should control the sanitary < arrangements at the abattoir, as the local health authority. That was the reason the board had moved in tho .direction- of an improvement in the sanitary arrangements. The board would have no objection to the Health De-1 partmont in Christchurch looking after the abattoir. All it desired was to get tlio position defined. Dr. Chesson said the board was in a. peculiar position regarding the in— sped or. who was also the Department's inspector. Any inspections made had to be reported to the board and to tho Department. If the inspector was sent out direct from the Department to inspect,, he was not under an obii gti'tion to report to the board. Trie, chairman said, he considered if ih«' inattor directly affected the board. i.ljc, inspector then was the boards-ins-pector, irrespective of whether he lv.i. [■-.• •' ',' ii by Dr. Chesson to inspoct. r Dr. Chesson said that us a matter of fact tho inspector did report to th." board, but in this matter of'the. abattoir, be (Dr. Chesson) hod elected' to deal with the council direct. The chairman said thc^board would be con ten fc to leave this" matter in Dr. Chesson's hands, but the beard had objected, in tho first, instance, to being overlooked. Dr. Ohesson replied that they were 1. v.-nrUing together in a. common cause. Tho chairman .said that if anything happened again at the abattoir, and the Hospital Board complained to the Borough Council, it would be ignored, and told that tho Department was dealing with tho matter. Dr. Chesson replied that the council could not turn the board down in that way. In regard to the boiling down works, ho had not acted without consulting the board. He wished to point out the peculiarity which had existed in Ashburton of having so many, road boards, and it had taken him some time to find out exactly who had control over various matters. Personally, ho would prefer tho board now to take charge of the abattoir and den] with any sanitary matters from time to time. Inspector Kcrsliaw would

then report to the board direct. As far as the Borough Council was concerned, he was afraid it-could not be looked upon as a good model sanitary authority! Alj: Dickie: "And .you consider we are, Doctor?" (Laughter.) ■ Dr. Chesson: "I won't pass any opinion." Continuing, the medica^ officer said that when the whole matter had been boiled down it simply meant that tin; inspector did the work for tho board. The inspector " had to spend a great of his time travelling, which was not altogether satisfactory. He. had ,tn.\ to impression the, board' and the Borough Council the necessity* of appointing a local inspector. ' He hail plenty of work for his inspector in Christchurch, without sending him to Ashburton. '

The chairman said he had' learned, j that the Abattoir Committee had given notice" to keep all trespassers off the abattoir property. Dr. Chesson replied that the inspec- i tor was tho only person who hail the ! right of entry. The board, at, a, spc-'j cial meeting, could appoint; a person i to act for ib and visit the-property. j Tho chairman said that would be ' rory*awlc\v:irdj because members of the J board would "not be able *to satis l\ ' themsclyes that the work had been done properly. Dr. Chesson replied that the conn- j oil- could not prevent his inspector or \ any authorised officer of the board j going on to the abattoir ground. The i board could authorise its secretary to j inspect for it. • j Tho chairman said there must bo j some check on the inspector. Dr. Chesson said in practice he had never known, an obstruction having been put in tho. way of members of a controlling authority. Tho chairman replied that it had been done in Ashburton. . ?,!r Wa.tr mid Mr 13ucki"'i. j"-'na?er ■ of the abattoir, had agreed to allow an inspection to be made at any time ' when he was present. Dr. Chesson said if there was«likoly to be any ill-fooling in the matte.-. i perhaps fie had better deal with -the abattoir himself. The functions, of a' Sinnrd v.-ere real]v to deal with matter from tho reports of its own officers. It •vonkl hardly do to have members of boards running round here and them interfering with everybody. He woul' 1 not go so far as to say tho.v would do po, but the Act had guarded against any Dr. Chesson then agreed that the board should have control of sanitary matters at the abattoir, and Mr Korpha.w would inspect from time to time pnd report to tho hoard. Ho considered the board and the council slioul'"! combine and get a health inspector. If an inspector were appointed ho could report to tho Borough Council on Borough matters, and to the board on all other matters. The insnector could bo controlled by the board, and he, Dr. Chesson, would undertake indirect control over him. .. -.'.'. <j '. The chairman said he did not think

the council would agree to such it. proposal, bub it could be approached again 1 and tho matter discussed. Dr. Chcsson .said if. tho board .was prepared to pay the salary of an inspector, ho would undertake to supply one. irrespective of the Borough. Mr C. J. Harper said the Department, should have power to include the Borough. Dr. Chesson said the only power he had was ■ to step in and override the Borough Council, but he did not want to do that. Mr Harper said Inspector Kershaw's work had been very satisfactory in the past, and he thought^ the board would willingly pay more for an inspector." Mr'F. Watt- suggested that ' Dr. Chesson should approach the Borough Council, and .'the members of the board could, also meet the Borough Council in conference, regarding the inspector. Dr. Chesson agreed to do as s'ng"gestd by Mr Watt, and also to arrange for a, conference between the "board and tho Borough Council.