BOARD OF HEALTH

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2070, 12 October 1880, Page 3

BOARD OF HEALTH

The fortnightly meeting of the Local Board of Health was held at half-past two o'clock yesterday afternoon. Present—Mr Harman (chairman), Messrs O. R. Blakiston, W. White, C. Guff, F. Hobbs, H. J. Tancred. The Chairman read a letter announcing the election of Mr 0. Cuff to be a member of the Board.

In reference to the Hospital question, the Chairman alludtd to the action taken by Mr Thomson, Chairman of the Charitable Aid Board, in requesting the Government to delay the enquiry, and he proposed to ask Dr. Nedwill, their medical officer, whether in his opinion a delay would do any harm. In reply to a question, the Chairman said the Board had not been officially notified of tho enquiry, but the Hon. John Hall had verbally informed him (the chairman) that Dr. Skae had received instructions to hold an investigation. Dr. Nedwill, replying to tho Chairman, deprecated further delay, which he thought would make a great deal of difference, as the memory of the witnesses (he thought) were sufficiently taxed already, and it might be that some important witnesses might not be forthcoming if the enquiry were postponed. Mr Tancred questioned whether this Board ought to take any action in the matter. The Chairman pointed out that as this Board had asked for the enquiry it devolved upon them to see that the enquiry was not prejudiced. Dr. Nedwill pointed out that the public health might suffer by delay. The medical officer then retired.

Mr Uobba suggested that the Board should recommend that the Government cause the enquiry to be hold without further delay. He heard that the house surgeon to the Hospital was going home in the Crusader as medical officer in the course of a few weeks, and his evidence was of considerable importance. He (Mr Hobbs) thought Mr Thomson ought to be perfectly neutral in the matter, as chairman of the Board, and it did not appear why he should be anxious for a postponement. The Chairman said he understood Mr Thomson to explain that he was personally interested in the matter. Mr Hobbs moved that the Government be requested to cause the inquiry to be held without delay, as any delay might be prejudicial to s fair inquiry. The motion was carried unanimously. The following report as to the delegation of powers was road : The committee appointed to consider tho question of delegation of powers, under tho Public Health Act, 1876, Amendment Act, 1880, submit the following resolution for the Board’s adoption—“ That the Christchurch Drainage Board do hereby, under and pursuant to the provisions of the Public Health Act, 1876, Amendment Act, 1880, delegate to the Mayor and Council of the City of Christchurch all the powers conferred upon the Christchurch Drainage Board, as the Local Board of Health, by tho Public Health Act, 1876, to be held, exercised, and performed within tho limits of the said City of Christchurch, save and except the power of appointing a medical officer, a surveyor, and i nspoctor of nuisances, and such other officers and servants as may ho necessary for tho duo

carrying out the provisions of the Public Health Act, 1876."

On the motion of Mr Boss, the report was duly received. The Board then wont into committee to consider the question, and on resuming the resolution as adopted by the committee was read, being that submitted by the committee, with the omission of all tho words after “ appointing a medical officer." The resolution was moved by Mr Boss, and carried.

Mr Hobbs then moved—“ That a copy of the resolution, signed by the chairman, and under tho common seal of tho Christchurch Drainage Board, be forwarded to the City Council.”

Some letters received sines last meeting were considered and dealt with, after which accounts for the fortnight were passed. Tho Board then adjourned.