THE PUBLIC HEALTH AMENDMENT ACT.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1046, 1 November 1877, Page 3

THE PUBLIC HEALTH AMENDMENT ACT.

The following letter appeared in the “ Lyttelton Times” of this morning : Sib, —The question now at issue between the City Council and the Board of Health as to the relative powers of the two bodies re. the Public Health Amendment Act and the action of the City Council in reference "thereto in desiring to be constituted a Board of Health for the city, has been placed before the public in such a manner as cannot but lead t o considerable misconception. It has been represented that if the Council succeed in its object it “is one calculated to Jdo harm,'to prevent rational progress, and to throwback the whole district into confusion.” Why in the name of common sense such dire results are sure, or even likely to follow from the Council continuing to exercise the sole control and supervision of its own sanitary affairs, and that of necessity all sanitary measures and regard for the suburbs and outlying portions of the Board of Health districts must perforce cease, and be left to chance and neglect, passess my comprehension. In placing before the public the latter consequences as the only alternative, and of necessity resulting from the successful action of the Council, is simply claptrap, and will only succeed in imposing upon those who have failed to give the subject proper consideration. In the event of the Council being constituted a Board of Health for the city, what is there to prevent the re-committal of the Bill at its present stage, and the clauses referring to the city being struck out or amended, leaving the powers and jurisdiction of the present Board intact over the suburbs and its extended district, until such time as the suburban Municipality or Municipalities are able and desirous of taking upon themselves the said duties, a consummation, the bare contemplation of which appears to greatly alarm the Editor of the “ Press,” conjuring up imaginative scenes of conflicting interests, jealousies, and all uncharitableness. For my part I think the time is not very distant when the suburban districts will seek amalgamation as out-wards of the city proper, and all be united for the common weal. And now for some of the reasons .’that have induced the Council to more in this matter. The health of the city, and everything conducive thereto, has always received a very large share of attention from the Council, and now, after a vast expenditure in forming and concreting the side channels, formerly a fertile source of miasma and fever, the Council consider that with an active inspector and a vigilant sanitary committee, all that is required can be efficiently managed at a comparatively trifling expense. But it must not be forgotten that a large expenditure incurred for what may be justly considered sanitary purposes, now entails upon the ratepayers the burden of a 5d rate, and although it has been characterised as only worthy a “ congregation of vestrymen ” to allow pecuniary considerations to enter into this matter, I venture to think, with the present amount of taxation, the ratepayers will rather accept the imputation than submit to further rating for this especial purpose. I am, &c., WILLIAM PRATT. October 31st.