DAIRY REGULATIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 11022, 29 July 1896, Page 3

DAIRY REGULATIONS.

CONFERENCE OP DELEGATES. At the invitation of the City Council delegates from the various local bodies around Christchurch met in the City Council library last evening to discuss the proposed dairy regulations set forth by the City Council.’ There were present—the Mayor of. Christchurch and Councillors Gray and Stewart (Christchurch bity Council), the Mayor and Councillor J. Taylor (Linwood), Councillors Clifford and Large (Svdenham), the Mayor and Councillor Mills (Woolston), Councillors Pratt and Collins (Sumner), Councillor Morgan (St Albans), Messrs R. 'Malcolm (Heathcote Road Board), G. M’Jntyre and J. Horner (Avon), D. Handysides and Brown (Spreydou), ‘ Mather and Quaife (J-Jalswcll). ■' The Mayor of Christchurch occupied the chair.

. The Chairman reported that since last meeting the Town Clerk had been in eoniimmication with Welling Lou, and the information feeeivecl was to the eil'cet that there was no reason why a board such as proposed .should not'exist for the purpose of carrying- out the regulations suggested. The board, however, would be an irresponsible body, and therefore any steps, towards enforcing the regulations would have to be taken by each local body for its separate district. In reply to Mr M'lntyre, the Chairman Eaid the proposed Board could have no legal standing, and could only act when empowered by the local Boards of Health. Councillor • Clifford thought the present' local Boards of Health were better able to look after their districts than a central board, and all that was necessary in addition- was to have a veterinary surgeon, who could be called in in special cases. He was not iu favour of there being a Central Board. T)r Stewart contended that no body at present had a competent inspector, and the various inspectors now had their hands quite full. It was necessary that the inspector should be a scientific man, capable of testing milk as well as of detecting disease. The Chairman pointed out. that in Wellington the inspection was under a Milk Board, who reported to local bodies anything wrong in their particular districts, and these bodies then looked into the matter. The Mayor of Linwood favoured a Central Board, with a competent inspector. Councillor Gray suggested that all the local Boards of Health could appoint the same inspector. He differed, with Dr Stewart's idea that the inspector should be a man of scientific attainments. He should 'preferably be a practical man who had had experience in dairy work. Mr G. M'lntyre moved—-" That the Governor should be applied to for an Order in Council confirming the' powers under the Public Health Act for the regulation and inspection of dairies on the several local Boards of Health in and around Christchurch." He thought; that, were the necessary powers for inspection 'conferred on the various local bodies, the work would be satisfactorily carried out. The Avon Koad Board had declared against a central Board, unless it were appointed by the local bodies. Councillor Mills seconded' the motion. He did not believe in so much scientific inspection. A great deal would depend on having young and healthy cattle, and the cows should be provided with pure water. These points were the most important. The Mayor of Linwood moved, as an amendment —" That application be made to the Governor-in-Council for an Order-in-Council similar to that in force in Auckland, with the alteration that the principal Board be composed of representatives from the respective boroughs and Eoad Boards here present." Councillor Morgan seconded the amendment. ' . ■ Councillor Gray suggested that a committee should be appointed to draw up regulations which could be submitted to a future meeting. The Chairman pointed out that the first tiling to be done was for the local bodies to decide to co-operate in the matter. The details could come after. The motion and amendment were then both withdrawn in favour of the following motion, which was carried unanimously : " That the City of Christchurch, the Boroughs of Sydenham, St Albans, Linwood, Woolston and Sumner, and the Road Districts of Heathcote, Avon, Spreydon, Halswell and Eiccarton, co-operate for the purpose of obtaining an Order in Council pursuant to Section 3 of the Public Health Act, 1876, Amendment Act, 1881." The Mayors of Christchurch, Linwood, and Woolston, Councillor Large and Mr G. M'lntyre were appointed a committee to drait regulations and submit them to a future meeting. Councillor Gray moved and Councillor Stewart seconded a motion affirming the principle of one inspector for the whole of the local bodies. The Mayor of Linwood, Councillors Pratt and Morgan, and Mr Handysides spoke in favour of the motion, and the Mayor of. Woolston and Councillor Mills against it. Mr M'lntyre moved, and the Mayor of Woolston seconded, an amendment to the effect that Councillor Gray's motion was premature. The amendment was lost and the motion carried with only one dissentient. It was decided to have the draft regulations, when drawn up by the committee, printed and circulated, and the meeting closed.