232
+
4. As it appeared, however, that the Bills of Health issued bore the Royal Arms, were stamped with an official seal, and were signed by the two Officers in their official capacity, I called for a return of the fees received during the year 1883. This return showed that the fees collected by the Colonial Surgeon during that period amounted to only two hundred and forty dollars ($240), (about £48), whereas those received by the Health Officer amounted to the large sum of two thousand nine hundred and eighty dollars ($2,980), (about £596), or more than his Official salary, viz., two thousand dollars per annum ($2,000), (about £400).
5. Since this return was furnished, the use of the Royal Arms and other Official attestations has been discontinued, and the Colonial Surgeon and Health Officer claim that, as any duly qualified medical practitioner can grant Bills of Health, they are in a position exactly similar to that of any other practitioner in the Colony. However, there can be little doubt that the Official status of these two Officers has enabled them to have the monopoly of these fees, for it is alleged that the authorities at the different ports at which vessels call on their homeward voyage from this Colony would not so readily accept Bills of Health not signed by medical practitioners of recognized Official standing.
6. This question was brought before the Executive Council, when the follow- ing resolution was agreed to unanimously:-
may
"The Council advise that a letter should be addressed to the Chairman "of the Chamber of Commerce, stating that the important question of the "fees charged for issuing Bills of Health has been fully considered by the "Governor in Council, who is of opinion that these Bills should be issued "free with the exception of a small charge to cover the Government expenses "of printing, &c. But as vested interests appear to have grown up, it is “advised that the whole question should be referred to the Secretary of State "for his decision."
7. I am unwilling without your Lordship's instructions to interfere with what be now considered the vested interests of the Colonial Surgeon and the Health Officer, the fees for Bills of Health having been collected in the same manner as now during the tenure of office of their predecessors. But as the cost of Bills of Health constitutes a serious tax on shipping, I would strongly recommend that, as soon as a proper arrangement can be made to that effect, the Health Officer of this Port should issue Bills of Health at a nominal charge, and should pay the fees into the Colonial Treasury.
8. In the case of the Colonial Surgeon, who, as has been shown, collects only a small amount each year in the way of fees for granting Bills of Health, it would not be difficult to deal with the matter at once; but, in the case of the Health Officer, owing to the large amount of fees annually received by him, an arrangement could not be so easily made. Adequate compensation to the Health Officer would be too heavy a tax on the present revenue of the Colony.
9. Under these circumstances, I have felt it to be my duty to bring the facts of the case to your notice, and to solicit instructions as to the manner in which your Lordship desires that this matter should be dealt with in future.
The Right Honourable
THE EARL OF DERBY, K.G.,
&c.,
I have, &c.,
(Signed),
G. F. BOWEN.
&c.,
&c.