SANITARY CONDITION OF THE BOROUGH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8160, 14 June 1906, Page 5

SANITARY CONDITION OF THE BOROUGH.

SUGGESTIONS FKOM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

At,the meeting of the Masterton Borough Council last evening a let. ter was received from Dr. Makgill, District Health Officer, with regard to securing an efficient sanitary inspection of the Borough, and an inspector of nuisanoes. He £reoognised that there was a great deal to do in MHstertou, and that the matter of plumbing supervision and testing the house connections alone would occupy a great deal of time, and also necessitate the services of a specially-trained man. It was also most desirable that the inspector should be a Departmental officer, and so less able to be swayed by looal influence. He would, therefore, strongly recommend that he be an officer of the Health Department, although to all intents and purposes a servant of the Oounoil. He offered the two following proposals for the consideration of the Council:—(l) The total servio s of a Departmental inspector, specially trained in plumbing and house connection work, in addition to his usual duties, may be seoured by the payment of a sum of £l5O yearly by the He would take all the work of inspection and so forth, and would only require assistance from the Town Clerk and Borough Solicitor in the matter of serving notioes where legal proceedings were pending. He would require to be appointed by special resolution of the Council inspector for the purposes of the Borough by-laws, and he could then take legal proceedings on behalf of the Counoil. As a servant of the Department only his powers for prosooufcion are very limited. He would be prepared to test and inspect any drainage wurk and plumbing when directed to do so by the Borough Engineer, and would undertake all disinfections and so forth. He would receive payment also from the Department, and would remain in the Government service, and would be -under direction fronxthe Health officer in special matters arising within the Borough. This system is in voaueat Wanganui, and works very well, one advantage being that the Department is kept in constant touch with sanitary matters in the Borough. (2) This proposal would prove less costly to the Borough, and would be practically quite as efficient. It may be found necessary to station an inspector in South Walrarapa, and another to take the northern end of the district. He suggested that both these men be stationed at Masterton as their centre, and that the Borough command the services of both as occasion demanded. The senior of the two could be appointed as the officer to carry oat the! Borough by-laws, and the Department would undertake that one or the other of these men would be available for the Counoil when they had occasion to require their services. This arrangement would be

made if the Council would contribute £7O per annum towards their salaries. This would allow the Department a little more latitude as to sending the men about the country, but Dr. Makgill did nob think that Masterton would in any way suffer. Let us suppose, said Dr. Mafcgill, that there is some work at, say, Paniatua, which necessitates the abseuoe of one man for a night, and that at the same time some work is required at Featherston. It would not be difficult for the second man to run down to FeetberstriD, and return without greatly encroaching on the time spent in Ma'stertou, or again be might postpone his departure till he knew that the other inspentor was on his return journey, and would be in the town Bhortly after he left. He would, however, first consult the Engineer or Town Clerk. At times, also, Mußterton would have the service? uf both these men at once, whioh might often be of a great advantage. On the whole he thought this system -would secure greater advantages to the Borough, especially when the small cost is considered. It would, also, on the whole be of greater advantage to the district in general, as it would enable much saving in time now consumed in travelling, in conclusion.- Dr. Makgill greatly regretted that it was unlikely that he would be able to reach Masterton on Wedneday to meet the Council on the above subject, but be would probably be able to come to Masterton on Friday or during the following week, whiohever suited the Council. The Mayor said that he aid not think the scheme would work. The Council wanted a man of their own to do other work besides sanitary inspection. The Council would then know what they were doing. They could employ him at whatever work they desired. Or MoEwen mentioned that the Licensing Committee had received reports from the Health Officers, and his opinion was that they were the most concise reports he had ever perused. Every detail in connection with a house was set out, and the proposed remedy mentioned. They were men who knew their work, and men in whom the Council could place confidence. h Cr Ewington favoured securing Departmental officers. He placed every confidence in Dr Makgill,, whom he considered was one of the best publio servants in the colony,. Cr Eton thomzbt that matters woull be more satisfactory if the Council had a servant of their own. Cr Morris agreed with the Mayor's remarks. Or Elliott favoured holding the matter over until the Council met Dr Makgill. He believed in the Health Department doing the work. v Or Feist moved that, Dr Makgill be informed that as the Council bad already decided to employ a man they could not fall in with his suggestions. Cr Morris seconded the motion. The Engineer intimated that Dr Makgill had informed him that if the Council engaged a man, the Health Department would be prepared <o appoint the same man their agent in the town, and contribute towards his salary. He explained that if the Council informed Dr Makgill that they wished to appoint their own. man, and, at thesame time, allow him to be the Departmental agent in the town the Department would agree. Cr Feist's motion was then carried. Cr Ewington moved that the Council meet Dr Makgill with reference to the appointment of an inspeotor. 1 Cr hJlliott seconded the motion, which, after some discussion, was lost by six votes to four.