SIDE-CARS OR BOXES?

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 51, 23 November 1917, Page 7

SIDE-CARS OR BOXES?

TEA-CUP STORM

■AT THE WELLINGTON HOSPITAL ' BOARD '.'That the report of the Health Inspectors regarding the purchase of side-cars (as under) be submitted to tho board:—With respect to the fixing of side-cars to the chassis provided for the use of the_ inspectors: No authority has been given by any member of tho board, but thero was a tacit understanding that tho . inspectors could provide one for themselves and fix in place of the box which tho board agreed to supply. "The acting-secretary was interviewed, and the unstiitability of the boxes pointed out to him, and at tho same time wo asked if there would be any objection to our purchasing and providing ourselves with side-cars. Hβ did not think so, and on this understanding one has been purchased.—(Sgd.) B. S. Heed, Jno. Lorwill."

"Further report as to tho use of the side-car. —Those who have been occupants of tho car hitlierto have been Inspector Lerwill, the board's inspector, Inspector Cowdroy, Public Health Department, and two other officials of the Health Department. These occasions have alwnys been on official duty. On ono or two occasions when'l have been on duty on Saturday afternoon and Sunday I have taken mv wife and child with me.—(Sgd.) B. S. Reed."

The foregoing reports from tho board's inspectors respecting the purchase (at the inspectors' own expense) of.side-cars to be fitted to the board's motor-cycles caused ono of those teacup storms which aro not rare at meetings of the Wellington Hospital and Charitablo Aid Board, and frequently only serve to show how equally wellmeaning men may differ in their views on small as well as largo questions.

As chairman of the committee (which had been asked to report on the matter) the Rev. H. Van Staveren explained that during his absence in Sydney the chairman of the board (Mr. Baldwin) and Mr.. Smith had inquired as to what was required in the way of a'side-car or box for the health inspectors, and had recommended that the attachment be a box. Then the inspectors had approached the secretary, and had asked him if there would be any objection to their obtaining sidecars (in lieu of boxes) if they paid for them out of their own pockets, and tho secretary had said that ho did not think so. On that the inspectors had provided the cars. In justification, Mr. Van Staveren said that some- information as to how the inspectors were treated might interest. The Health Inspector of Waiapu was allowed a two-horse gig; in Cook County, a motor-car; in Wairoa, a five-seater car; in Hawko's Bay, a five-seater car; and in Hawera and Wanganui, motor-cars. Hβ pointed out that it was sometimes necessary to take a member of the Government Board of Health to a case, and occasionally when a man was oi; duty on a Saturday afternoon or Sunday he might take his wife in tho sidccai\ Ho saw no great harm in that. Now tho chairman wanted tho committee to order the inspectors to renounce the side-car, which he would not do. as he considered it would bo ultra vires. Tlie cnairman • said that Mr. Van Staveren had put the case very nicely from his own point of view, but it was made clear that the board would not sanction side-cars, and that if an accident were to tako place tho hoard would bo held responsible. \ Mr. F. Castle . said that Mr. Van Staveren had obscured the question. They had desired to know what was the most suitable attachment for a motor-cycle for the work of the inspector, and, having decided tho point, it was their duty to see that the resolution of tho board was carried out, and it was incumbent upon the officer? of the board to see that it was carried out. Ho moved that the matter be referred back to the Health Committee. Mr. "W. J. Thompson seconded the motion. Mr. Van Stavoron expressed a doubt as to whether any such resolution was on tho books. The inspectors should not be treated like n lot of slaves. To ask thorn to get a box instead of a side-car was absurd. Mr. J. A. M'Ewa'n said that it appeared to him that the question was— who was going to boss the situation, the inspectors or tho board? The resolution to refer the. matter hack to tho Health Committee was carried on the voices.