CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 4286, 21 November 1876, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Council this afternoon was attended by the Mayor, Conn cillora Walter, Brown, Isaac, Mollison, Roberts, Thomson, Woodland, Campbell, Grant, and Gibson. On the minutes being read, the Mayor took exception to the* statement that during the scene at the last meeting he adjourned the meeting for a quarter of an hour. He knew before he left the chair that he had no power to a'ljourn, and therefore he said he would resume the chair in fifteen minutes. Tlic minutes were altered accordingly, Crs. Walter and Jsaac dissenting. The Sanitary Committee reported having taken full evidence as to whether the Sanitary Inspectors had been employed to watch cases of scarlet fevt-r outside the City, and found that the Inspectors wore not so employed ; and that it waß satisfied that every attention was paid to the Davie children whilst in the Hospital; that the boy was bathed immediately prior to leaving the Hospital; that thr2e days elapsed prior to the vermin being found on the boy; and that many patients were admitted in an unclean state, but on all occasions were immediately bathed and cleaned. Evidence . was also taken as to the general state of the Hospital, and the committee was satisfied that every attention had been paid to the children generally. The committee therefore came to the conclusion that the Hospital had been kept far better than could have been expected from the insufficient assistance given to the master and matron, and were of opinion that the charge that the Davie children left the Hospital in a dirty condition is entirely unfounded. On the letter v froin the conference of suburban municipalities re the extension of the proposed tramway system to their districts, it was decided on the motion of Cr. Isaac to include in the Corporation's advertisement alternative tenders for carrying the trams to tho > andhilß The Finance Committee's recommendation of an allowance of 10 per cent, on all kerbing accounts paid within three months from delivery, was adopted; as was the Water Supply Committee's recommendation to increase the salary of Inspector Davis from LIBO to L2OO a-year. The clause of the Works Committee's report, recommending tenders should be called for the formation and metalling of Rattray street as far as the line of rateable property was struck out, the majority of the Council being of . opinion that it would be time enough to do the work when it was found- that rates could be recovered in lespect of Proudfoot's section The committee also reported that they could not at present recommend the carrying of Manse street through into Maclaggau street. The bobus of LIOO to Dr Gillies was voted nem. con., and after some discussion a monthly allowance of twelve guineas was voted him for horse hire, and to cover all attendances in connexion with tho Fever Hospital. Before leaving this subject, the Mayor mentioned that it had been reported to him that Mr J. G. S. Grant, who had been suffering from scarlet fever, and was not' yet thoroughly recovered, had notwithstanding been belling his books at the corners of Princes street. If that was true, it was certainly a most dangerous proceeding, of which he should be thoroughly ashamed. Mr Grant certainly looked well and hearty, and told him (the Mayor) yesterday that he was perfectly right. On communicating with Dr Brown, who attended Mr Grant, he had received the following letter from that gentleman : I have net " discharged Mr Grant as cured and free to pursue his calling among his fellow-citizens without any danger of conveying infection to tbem." Mr Grant is not usually prone to listen to advice, and I have no power to use any other means. The case was rcnor! Ed by me, as soon as it was clearly a case of scarlet fever, to your Health Officer. The only thing the Council could do would be to proceed against Mr Grant under the 29 th section of the Public Health Act, under which he was liab'e to a fine of Ls. Cr. Isaac, who said that Mr Grant had the disease in its most infectious stage, moved that if he did net keep within the bounds of the Act, its provisions should be enforced against him.— Cr. Gibson seconded the motion, in the interests of humanity.—The Mayor thought it would be tetter to pay Mr Grant to remain in the Fever Hospital for a week or two, rather than risk a spread of the disease ; and Cr. Isaac offered to give a couple of guineas for that object. The motion was carried.