HEALTH MATTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 344, 19 February 1902, Page 3

HEALTH MATTERS.

DISCUSSION IN BOROUGH COUNCIL.

At the meeting of tho Borough Council last night there was somo discussion as to tho removal into tho borough of a little house in which there had been a fatal ease of cancer.

A letter was received from MrP. Maher strongly objecting to a “ whare ” in which a man had died from cancer being placed on a section near his residence, and he referred the Council to Dr. DeLisle’s report as to infectious cases. Tbo Mayor said that Dr. Finch had been consulted a 3 to the matter, and he said that he thought all the Council could do would be to insist on the building being fumigated ; ho did not think there was power to order its destruction qr removal, and thought that fumigation would make it safe. Permission had not yet been obtained from tbe Council to place the building on tbo section. It was decided to take the Overseer’s report in conjunction with the matter, being as follows : “ Since last meeting I have been inspecting in the Borough. Dr Finch, Health Officer, and his Sanitary Inspector, paid a visit of inspection to the Borough and suburbs last week, and I expect that a report on tbe sanitary condition of the Borough will be furnished your Council later on. Mr G. Stubbs has applied for permission to fix some buildings on sections 9 and 10, William street, as per letter attached. I might state that the said buildings were brought to the above sections on sledges, and not erected in the usual way ; and in doing so Mr Stubbs says he was ignorant of the by-laws, and hence his notice being late. It is now for your Council to decide whether you will accept the notice being late, and if so whether such buildings are in accordance with by-laws or otherwise.” Correspondence was also received from Mr Stubbs in reference to the matter, stating that his not having applied for permission was through not being aware of the by-laws on the subject. He now made the application. He stated that every precaution had been taken in the way of removing auy danger of infection. The Mayor said that, although a building could not bo erected without authority, this had simply been dragged there. Cr Whiuray : It is a new building to all intents and purposes. The Town Clerk said that he had consulted tho Borough Solicitor in the matter, and had been informed that the Council could now give tbe permission if they thought proper, or they could prosecute for the building being put there without permission. Tho Mayor said the question now was whether they would accept the fee or get

the solicitor to state a case. Cr Jones: I don’t think it comes to that. Cr Whinray said the question was whether the regulations had been complied with. The Mayor said that a fine would get over the breach of building regulations. He did not know that they had power to order the removal of the building.

Cr Whinray said that by permitting this sort of thing they might be leading to much trouble ; the good government of the town was not compatible with such structures being erected. Cr Jones said that objection having been raised be thought that in the meantime they should refuse to grant the permission.

Cr Whinray said that if they gave permission they would be condoning a breach of the regulations which strictly tabooed stovepipe chimneys —they must bo of brick or cement. Tbe Mayor read the by-laws, which required brick chimneys. Cr Whinray said they could not grant ■ tbe application in face of the by law. Cr Bright: The by-laws have not been complied with. The Mayor: No. Cr Jones thought they should take a broader ground. There had been oancer in the house, and there was objection to the bringing of it into the borough. They should refuse the application.

Cr Bright asked how they would do in tho case of a private house in the borough.

Cr Jones said that in this oase -th cottage was being brought into the borough, and objection was raised thereto.

Tbo Mayor said that tbe medical advice was that if the proper precautions were taken they did not think there would be any danger. There had been cases in private houses and in the Hospital. Cr Mason : But there the proper precautions would be taken. We do not know what was done in this ease.

Cr Bright moved that as the by-law had not been complied with the request bo declined. Cr Jones seconded the motion, which was carried.