PROPOSED BOARD OF HEALTH.

Press, Volume XLI, Issue 6154, 10 June 1885, Page 3

PROPOSED BOARD OF HEALTH.

1- A meeting of delegates from the various " -Sjocal bodies in and around Christchurch -mc held at the City Council Chambere yesterday afternoon, to discuss a proposal -which had been made for the establish* stent of a Board of Health for the district «f Cbzistchnrch and suburbs. The delegates present were Messrs C. F. Hnlbert • (Mayor of Christchurch) and W. Vincent, representing the City Council; F. H. Sams and H. Toomer, of the Linwood Town Board; T. York and J. H. Hopkins, Woolston Town Board; W. Dunlop and D. Cochrane, Avon Boad Board. The Matoe of Chbistchubch, who was voted to the chair, explained that the meeting had been called in order that the question might be discussed cf appointing • Medical Officer and Inspectors for what -* was termed the drainage area. It had been a matter of much comment that it was desirable that a Board of - Tfr*** l ' comprising this area should be - in existence. The Drainage Board obtained the powers of a Board of Health, but they had found that they had no funds to carry it on, and they were now relinquishing their functions, but the majority of that Board's members were of opinion that in the interests of the public ench a Board as they were Riving up was really necessary if the health of the inhabitants was studied, it was useless for ©ne portion of a district to spend money to keep itself and its portion clean if other pasts of the district did not take the same precautions. He was alluding to an out- - break of epidemics. Therefore it was necessary that there should be some combination whereby there could be a certain tmnant of inspection and attention paid ' to all portions alike. Another reason -for the establishment of the Board -was that it could Tie worked more economically. If every body, both large and small, were to employ Inspectors and Medical Officers the expense would bja considerable, and the question arose whether or not the local bodie3 could not unite for such a purpose, so far as the receipts would allow them, and have performed in a proper way a work in which - everyone in tee district was interested. . He had called the delegates together ~ because he eonsideied it was his duty. The City Council were unanimously of opinion that such a Board was desirable. - The Council had done its best to get Christchurch into a decent eanitary condition, and when they came to take into consideration the natural disadvantages of the city as far as drainage was concerned, it -would be seen that it was necessary to take greater precaution than was required in places which were better favored in that particular. He had received apologies from the Biccarton Boad Board, and Heathcote Boad Boards. The Sydenham Council objected to send delegates, and appeared to be in error concernirg the nature of the meeting. There would be no finality in the resolutions which might be passed, as they would have to be submitted to the various local bodies for approval. He could not say by his own knowledge, but he was informed of very good authority that if there were any ' borough which required supervision it was tbe Borough of Sydenham, and he was aorr/ita representatives were not present. 12 no gentleman was prepared to move a notion he would open discussion, by moving — "That this meeting is of opinion that to ensure unanimity of action with regard to sanitary arrangements • a district Board of Health should be formed, consisting of a representative -or repre--eentativi 8 nominated by the various local bodice interested within the Christchurch

District Drainage area, the number of ■ delegates to be in proportion to the amount contributed, but in no case shall more three be nominated by any local body." If this motion were carried another one had.been prepared dealing -with expenses. He *"M ascertained the Anniial assessed rating value of last year, and he found V -feat on the capital value f d in wouldI *»et expenses, presuming the Beard was for about £550. The amounts to . y be paid, by the local bodies -would be- some- - thing like the following i—Christchurch, J8283 S3; Sydenham, J854 Sa; St. Albansi ' J845 2s; Linwood, J623 11s; Woolston, * JE7 163; Avon, J39 19s; Heathcots, £38 163} Riecarton, £56 12a; Spreydon, '- JBI2 lls. The amounts, excepting bo far as Chnstchurch is concerned, would not he excessive. Mr Bahks seconded the motion. It seemed to him that the establishment of a - Board of Health, with the object of obtain- * lap the supervision of the districts within - the drainage area, was a necessary and < - seportant step. Mr Hopkins asked if the Board's work * could be done for jßssOper year P Did the Chairman not think the stock would cost I something ? '-' The Matob answered by reading two - notions which were to be brought forward relating to expenses. '. Mr Hopkins said that, so far as he could see, the question was one deserving sup--jpoit, and one which he felt sure the Board --m represented would support. They had always felt that health matters should --"be dealt with as a whole. He would ask if - the small-pox hospital would be charged to the Board, and would the Beard have any- .. thing to do with the Contagious Diseases Art? The Hayob replied that if the Board came into existence the responsibility of '■ at&intaiaing patients at the small-pox hospital would devolve upon the Board. She hospital at present was no cost. Begarding the Contagious Diseases Act being brought into force again, he thought the question was one which the Board should take up, and make the inquiry from local bodies as to whether it was desirable to continue the Act. The motion was. carried unanimously. ■ Mir VmcKST moved—"That the exrses of Buch District Board of Health borne by the various local bodies interested, in proportion to their annual : assessed rating value."-. He thought this was a just method by which the expenses eoald be met. Mr Hofxihs seconded the motion. The Matob said it had been suggested that the amount should be contributed on the population basis. This he did not consider would be fair, especially to Sydenham. ■ The motion was carried. Mr Tooxsb moved—" That the proposed Board have power to employ a medical officer and two inspectors to generally supervise the sanitary arrangements for the health of the district." He was afraid it would take .£650 or JB7OO to work the Beard. ■ . - The Matob answered that office expenses had not been calculated. He understood that the Board could meet in ike Council Chambers. , , Mr VnrcxKT seconded the motion, which, wae carried. It was resolved, oa the motion of Mr Bakes, seconded by Mr Hop-dot—"That 3 needed, the consent of Parliament be asked to grant the necessary powers to the fraposed District Board of Health." MrYihcent moved—"That repre3entativee to the Board be nominated on the following basis, viz.:—For any amount not exceeding JBIOO contributed by any one local body towards the expenses of such. Board, one member; for any amount over ■£100, and not exceeding JBBOO, contributed as above, two members; for any amount exceeding .£2OO. three member*. ,, Mr TboHEB seconded the motion, which wae carried.

Mr Duklop did not care to move the notion which had been handed to him. Be had come from his Board to hear -what ■*•• said, and did not wish to do anything which would l-e binding. -XrHonmra suggested that the motion fa be moved ehoald be altered, that -it "•hxmld not bind the local bodies to any *x>rir»a. ■■■■.. . UteUATos asproTed, and the motion - fiofaeedbyMrSopldseand seconded by Mr Banks, was carried in the following fima r—."lSat &» Chairman be requested to forward the zeeolntuma passed at. this aeeting to the Tarious local bodies intot seated, for their consideration, and that this meeting etande adjonmed to a date to he hereafter named." S» proceedings then terminated.