BOARD OF HEALTH.

Kumara Times, Issue 1109, 20 April 1880, Page 3

BOARD OF HEALTH.

A special meeting of the Local Board of Health was held at the Town Hall last evening ; present:—Messrs Pearn (in the chair), Campbell, Fitzsinions, Pierson, Blake, O’Hagan, Hanna, and Wylde (Secretary). The Chairman explained that the meeting had been convened in consequence of the rapid spread of diphtheria in Hokitika; and he thought it was the duty of the Local Board to take every precaution to prevent, by all available means in their power, the propagation of the disease in this district.

Mr Blake considered as a preliminary step that the Board should appoint a medical officer to report professionally on any case that might arise.

Mr Campbell coincided with Mr Blake’s views, as on the report of the medical officer the Board would be in a position to at once act, should necessity occur;

Mr G’Hagan was of the same opinion as the two previous speakers in regard to the appointment. Mr Hanna proposed that Dr Acheson be appointed medical officer to the Board of Health, and in so doing said he did not consider that any great remuneration botild be expected with the appointment, as the honor, to his mind, was sufficient, inasmuch as in appointing Dr Acheson the Board, as representatives of the public, shewed the high estimation iu which they held his professional character. Mr Campbell seconded the motion.

The Chairman moved as an amendment that a committee consisting of Messrs Campbell, O’ Hagan and the mover interview Dr Acheson hsto the appointment, and ascertain if he would bo willing to act as medical officer to the Board.

Hr Blake seconded the amendment, which was carried by a majority of one;

Mr Campbell moved that the Secretary write to the Sergeant of Police, and request him to immediately ascertain the sanitary condition of the town, and also take such steps as circumstances rendered necessary in causing all nuisances such as filth or debris to be at once removed ; at the same time furnishing the Board with a report on any cases that might come under his notice.

Mr O’Hagan seconded thb Motion, which was carried.

The Secretary stated that ho was personally aware of several cesspools that required emptying; but at the same time this would have to be done with great care, as the effluvia arising therefrom would be very Offensive, and he strongly recommended tbe Board to authorise the purchase of disinfectants, that could be used, under proper supervision, in such cases as he had named.

Mr O’Hagan thought the danger might be greater in Some cases ill removing this objectionable matter without a proper vehicle for that purpose, than letting it remain ; and he considered it would be better, perhaps, to fill up the cesspools iu question and cover them over.

Mr Blake was of opinion thaf this was a matter for the owner to decide, so long as he complied with the provisions of the “Public Health Act.”

The Secretary said that in some cases cesspools were flowing over, and, consequently, to fill them up instead of abating would increase the nuisance.

Mr Hanna pointed out that the byelaws of the Borough compelled all persons to have their cesspools sunk to a depth of ten feet.

Mr Pearn considered the suggestion of the Secretary’s a good one, and moved that a supply of disinfectants be procured by the Board, to be used in such cases as they might find necessary. Mr Campbell seconded the motion, which was carried. Tlie Secretary reported that great complaints had been made to him by residents near the South Town Belt that in many cases where no water-closets existed, the night-soil was emptied over neighbouring fences, greatly to the annoyance of the owner of the property, and to the detriment of the public health. The Chairman said this matter should be brought under the notice of the Police. The Board then adjourned sine die.