BOARD OF HEALTH.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2641, 23 September 1882, Page 3

BOARD OF HEALTH.

The ordinary meeting of the above was held yesterday. Present Messrs Vincent (chairman), Parker, Harper, and Dr, Doyle. The Chairman said, as regarded copperas, he found they could get several owt*. at 9j per owt. from tbe local chemists. After some discussion it was resolved, on tbe motion of Mr Parker, that three owt. of copperas be obtained for the purpose of flushing the public drains. The report of the medical officer was read as follows: Sir,—l have the honor to report that, in accordance with your instructions, I have visited that portion of the St. Albans district north of the Carlton Mill road, with reference to the abstraction of its drainage, said to be canaed by tha Mill race, and as the subject is one of an engineering character I would recommend that it should be referred to the Drainage Board. W en recently visiting a house on tbe Springfield road from which diphtheria was reported, my attention was directed to the nnwholerome condition of Free’s Creek. As there seems to be no necessity for nsing this creek as a common sewer, a public sewer having been already made in this vicinity, I would reconomend that notices should bo served to abate this nuisance. A letter, which I enclose, signed by thirty-three of the residents in Cashel stieet, Pbillipstown, and surrounding neighborhood, has bean addressed to mo, cal ing my attention to the filthy condition of tha " open sewer,” which runs through their property. I believe the Drainage Board has some difficulty in dealing with this point, but unquestionably ’this creek is also objectionable. Notwithstanding the determination arrived at on several occasions by the Board of Health to prohibit the wholesale disposal of town refuse in the different gravel pits in Waltham, I find that Mr Brightling is nsing objectionable matter to fill in tha excavations he is making on his land at Wilson’s bridge. This practice should be discontinued at once, and strict watch kept by the inspector to see that it is not repeated. home representation should be made to Government with regard to the total inadequacy of small three roomed cottages for families of ten people. At tbe railway crossing on the Gasworks road two cases of diphtheria are in such a cottage, and as there is ns infections diseases hospital to remove them to, the probability is that several other members of this large family will catch the disease. I have the honor to bo. Sir, your obedient servant, Courtney Nbdwill, Medical Officer. The clauses were discussed seriatim. The matter referred to with regard to tbe Oarlton Mill road was left to the Drainage Board. It was resolved that notices be served upon persons living on the Springfield road calling upon them to abate the nuisance caused by their draining into Free’s Creek. The petition of the inhabitants of Pbillipstown was dealt with by referring it to the Drainage Board. With regard to the complaint against Mr Brightling depositing rubbish near Wilson's bridge, it was resolved that a oautionbesentto Mr Brightling to discontinue putting organic matter into the pits, and that the inspector be instructed to keep his eye on it. The Board then discussed tbe clause of the report pointing out the great want of an Infectious Diseases Act. Tbe members of the Board expressed their opinion that it was necessary at once to proseed with the erection of an Infectious Diseases Hospital. Dr. Doyle suggested that the hospital should be erected in tbe Acclimatisation grounds. Mr Parker said he could not see why the Infectious Diseases Hospital should not be erected in connection with, though of course separated from, the present Hospital, After some farther discussion, it was agreed to convene a conference between Dr. Frankish, the Mayor of Sydenham, and others, and the Board to consider tbe question of site and buildings. Dr, Doyle asked whether the engineer had prepared plans for the carrying out of the connections with sewers. The Secretary stated that the engineer bad prepared the plans. The following correspondence was read and dealt with. From the Ohristehnroh town clerk, stating that the consideration of tha resolutions passed at the recent conference on amendments to the Health Act, had been postponed. From the Avon Road Board, enclosing copies of resolutions respecting the constitution of District Boards of Health. From the HeathooteJßoad Board, approving of the suggestion respecting District Boards of Health. From tbe Biooarton Boad Board, forwarding a resolution that in the opinion of the Board there is no just cause for departing from the present working of the Local Board of Health Aot. From Mr H. Thomson, M H.H., stating that Mr Holmes and himself had waited on the Registrar General, who agreed with tbs deputation that the local registrars should be requested to comply witb the suggestions made by the Board. The Colonial Secretary could not see his way clear to compel inspection or registration of dairies, nor the granting of power to charge a fee of £3 3s. Mr Thomson suggested that before a hawkers’ license to sell milk was issued, the dairy should be inspected and registered. The Colonial Secretary was further of opinion that the inspector need not necessarily be a medical man. With regard to the vaccination inspection of schools, there was, the Government alleged, ample powers for an inspector to enter schools. From, a number of residents at Shirley, protesting against the existence of a slaughter house in their district, and the granting of a new license for another. The greater proportion of the milk supplied to Ohristehnroh came from the die triot, and it was more than probable serious results would accrue. The Board decided to write to the Selwyn County Council on tne subject. From Dr. Bussell, calling attention to the bad state of the eastern part of Gordon street. The Board resolved to serve notice to abate the nuisance complained of. Accounts to tha amount of £46 17s 6d were passed for payment. The Board then adjourned for one month.