HEALTH OFFICER’S REPORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1069, 14 November 1911, Page 3

HEALTH OFFICER’S REPORT.

DISCUSSED BY COUNCIE

At last night's Council meeting Dr Chesson, the District Health Officer, submitted reports iu connection with a number of premises inspected by nun during his recent visit to Eoxtun, and recommended a number of improvements in connection with same. In his letter covering the reports, the Health Officer stated that his inspection disclosed a state of affairs which indicates a sad neglect by the Council in the administration of sanitary matters in the borough. Dr Chesson’s letter continues as follows: “The time at my disposal was not sufficient to make a house to house inspection, nor should such ever be necessary by me personally, but I have no doubt Irom what I have seen that, had I done so, I would have found many more matters of a similar nature requiring attention. It is the experience ot this Department that such conditions only too frequently arise where there is inadequate support given to the local Sanitary Inspector’s efforts. I think the state of things, as disclosed, points to the need for your local inspector being given the aid and support of an outside officer, and I now suggest for the consideration of your Council the advisability of approaching and arranging with the Palmerston North Hospital Board for the service ol their Inspector (under the provisions of Section 94 of the Public Health Act) to visit the borough at frequent intervals, and at such cost as may be agreed upon between your Council and that Board. I do not consider such amount would be great. By this means your Council would have efficient sanitary inspection and control of its borough at the least possible cost.” It was proposed bv Cr Gibbs, and seconded by Cr Coley, that the Town Clerk write to the Palmerston North Hospital and Charitable Aid Board asking for cost ot a monthly visit irom their Health inspector, and this matter be put iu the hands of local representative on the Board. Cr rfpeirs said the Health Officer was supposed to come to Foxton, as it was iu his district. lie would come any time he was sent for. He did not think it advisable to pass the motion. The Mayor said that Section 94 of the Public Health Act provided that any local authority may, in lieu of itself appointing an inspector of nuisances, out of its ordinary funds contribute towards the salary of an inspector appointed under the Act.

Cr Coley said the Palmerston North Inspector had been iu F'oxtou for three or four days, and had told him that the Borough could appoint him their sole inspector it they so desired. The Mayor said that if the Inspector made regular visits to F'oxtou the Council would have to bear portion of the cost of such inspection. Cr Adams wauled to know if it were the Council’s intention to do away with their local inspector. If not, he asked why they were going past the local man. From what he could see, Mr O’Brien, of Palmerston, bad,no more qualifications lor the duties than Mr Martin had.

Cr Stewart expressed surprise that certain premises should be iu the bad state as repotted by Dr Chesson and the Council not be aware of it.

Cr Coley said he did not want to see Mr Marlin dispensed with, but desired to see how much it wou.d cost to get regular visits from the Palmerston inspector. In cases where the local inspector had a spite on certain people he went to those people and used it.

Cr Adams: There is a lot in that.

The motion was carried. Eater in the evening, in again discussing the report of the Health Officer, the Mayor moved that the report of the Health Officer be received aud his recommendation be adopted, aud that notice be sent out to those mentioned in the report, enclosing copies of the report.

In speaking to the motion, the Mayor said that although the recommendations of the Health Officer appeared to be a rather tall order the Council had no option (according to the Act) but to adopt the report.

•Several oilier Councillors also spoke in favour of adopting the recommendations, and the motion was seconded by Cr Coley and carried.