HEALTH BOARDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 68, 21 March 1900, Page 2

HEALTH BOARDS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Seeing that every local governing body are local Boards of Health under the provisions of the Public Health Acts, it is a moot point whether it is not better for each Local Board to act and be held responsible for its own district. United'actionj 'with, numerous sneeting-s, want; of unity, and possibly want of means, is apt to render combined action unwieldy and cumbersome. There will always be some who will not attend, contribute, or conform to the views of those who do so. What is wanted is prompt action, sufficient sanitary officers, and offenders dealt with in a severe manner, not merely nomiaal penalties, which act as no deterrent to them who consider the saving of cost as of more consequence than the preservatiori of the public" health, and its results.—l am, etc. .... J

EXPERENTLi

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Many, years since when it was ' supposed a small pox patient was amongst some passengers landing/ here, the Port Health Board comprised the late Dr. Philson, the E.M, (late Captain Beekham), Captain Bur-g-ess, and the Mayor; if to these were added the City Health Officer, and Chairman of the Harbour Board, we should have all interests represented. It is a matter of regret the staff of the City Sanitary. De-: partment has been weakened instead of strengthened. A city of the configuration and size of i Auckland requires the services and' whole time of two if not three sucli officials, it being borne in mind the; penalties inflicted and the rigour of the law does not depend on the City Council or its officials, but upon the Magistrates before whom the cases are heard, and who as a rule do not in- ; flict sufficiently heavy penalties to act as a deterrent to persons making uso of the streets and roads to dispose of refuse and rubbish. —I am, etc., ■

PROGRESS.