THE PUBLIC HEALTH AMENDMENT ACT.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1045, 31 October 1877, Page 2

THE PUBLIC HEALTH AMENDMENT ACT.

The following letter appeared in the “ Press” of this morning : Sie, —I think it will be instructive and perhaps useful to the general public to contrast the course of procedure in reference to two Bills materially affecting the city of Christchurch lately introduced into Parliament. First, the Domains Bill, introduced in the Legislative Council by the Hon. John Hall, a discussion taken upon it, a copy forwarded to the local body, time afforded for its consideration, and in deference to public opinion withdrawn to allow of amendments being made in consonance with the wishes of the inhabitants, which will doubtless make it a useful and well appreciated measure. Second, a Bill to Amend the Public Health Act, conferring upon the Drainage Board the power of rating the citizens to the extent of 2d in the £, with heavy penalties upon each individual member of the Council if the provisions of the said rating Bill are not enforced by the Council. The power is also given to the said Board to supersede the City Council in all matters relating to the sanitary affairs of the city, hitherto exercised by the Council with acknowledged efficiency, at a minimum of expense, and to the entire satisfaction of the citizens. This Bill was introduced on the Bth October by the then Premier, Major Atkinson, and read a first time when the House was in Committee, thus evading public notice and report, as I find it is briefly referred to in “ Hansard ” on the above date, Public Health Bill, read a first time. October 16th, Public Health Bill, read a second time; and on October 19th it passed the third reading, which notice in the absence of any copy of the Bill is eminently calculated to mislead, as the proper title of the Bill is the Public Health Amendment Act. The first intimation the Council received of the existence of this Bill was by telegram from Mr Stevens, dated the 19th instant, conveying the information that it passed the third reading same date, and desiring to know the opinion of the public upon it as soon as possible. From the foregoing it will occur to most people that it was rather late to prefer such a request, and from the very brief, and in some respects imperfect report of the public meeting held to consider the Bill, the Canterbury members are likely to be considerably misled as to the true state of the public mind in regard to it. I think the City Council and ratepayers generally are entitled to some explanation why an Act of such importance should have been rushed through the House with so much haste, and also how, and by what occult influence so much secrecy and reticence in regard to it have been maintained. We are well supplied with newspapers, the two dailies having their special correspondents at the seat of Government, sending telegrams daily of all matters of importance under the consideration of Parliament, and generally supplying their numerous readers with a very fair epitome of Parliamentary news; but by a singular coincidence no notice whatever was taken of the Bill in question by either paper, and it was only by looking through the back numbers of the Wellington papers that I obtained the meagre information here given. This is certainly a new experience for Canterbury, with its present ample means for disseminating information upon all subjects of interest to the body politic. Yours, Ac., WILIIAII PeATT. Christchurch, Oct. 30th.