DISTRICT HEALTH INSPECTOR’S SALARY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 354, 14 February 1917, Page 2

DISTRICT HEALTH INSPECTOR’S SALARY.

SHOULD NAPIER COUNCIL CONTRIBUTE .' At yesterday’s Hospital and Charitable Aid. Board meeting a letter was received from the Napier Borough Council relative to the Health Officer’s reports on insanitary buildings, and why they are called upon to give part- payment. 01 his salary.

The Council held that there was apparently some misunderstanding on the part of the Board as to the provisions of the Public Health Act and the Inspector’s duties. If the insanitary matters reported upon by the Board’s Health Officer come under the Provision,, it xvas for the Board to take action, not the Borough Council. If, on the other hand, the matters do not come under the provision as causes of diseases etc., the District Health Officer and the Borough Council were the proper authorities to deal with them. Further, the Council was under the impression that Mr. Gardiner was the Board’s Inspector, duly appointed by the Government Health Department, and was receixing part of his salary from the latter Department. The question now was whether the Board can legally pay the Inspector for work performed xvhich does not come within the scope of the Board’s jurisdiction.

The Council contended that the payment xvas irregular and that it could not be made a charge on the Borough Council by way of a lexy which the ratepayers have to provide.

Air. Shrimpton (chairman), said there was nothing to quibble over in this matter. Legal opinion on the matter showed clearly that a Borough Council as a local authority xvas bound to pay portion of the Inspector’s salary. Mr.. Gai diner was in the habit of reporting on certain buildings, and forwarding same to the district Health Officer by way of drawing his attention to them. It xvould seem as though the trouble had arisen, through the latter forxvarding such reports bearing the Inspector’s name, to the Council. Mr. Hill said that he was of much the same opinion and held that the Borough was very fortunate in hiving the services of such an efficient Inspector as Mr. Gardiner. These i emarks were voiced by othti members and it was decided io vXiiti to the Council and inform them that there is no provision in the Act which shields them from paving portion of the Health Inspectors salary.

A letter was also received from Mr. Gardiner in connection xvith in". mati?r, requesting that <i < 10-i inquiry be made and it xvas decided m appoint a committee consisting ot Messrs W. Shrunpton, J. l D Oiniond and A. L. Beattie to deal xx-ith this business.