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Mr. MCCALLUM.-He is not Medical Officer to the Sanitary Board; he is a member of the Board.
Dr. CANTLIE.-He has nothing to do with the regulation of the Sanitary Inspectors, directly?
Mr. MCCALLUM.-He gives no direct orders; he is merely a member of the Board. Dr. CANTLIE.-You do not get letters from the Government saying: "Refer this to the Colonial Surgeon or the Medical Officer ?"
Mr. McCALLUM.---No.
Dr. PRESTON.-It is a layman then and not a medical man who is responsible for nuisances, overcrowding, the water supply and so on ?
Mr. MCCALLUM.-The Sanitary Board is responsible for all these matters. There are three medical men members of the Sanitary Board-Dr. AYRES, Dr. HARTIGAN, and Dr. Ho KAI.
THE PRESIDENT.-How are suggestions by the Medical Officer to be carried out?
Mr. MCCALLUM.-If Dr. AYRES makes any recommendation, it comes before the Board, and I get instructions to see it carried out if the Board considers the recommenda. tion a good one.
THE PRESIDENT.-There is, in fact, no Medical Officer of Health?
Mr. MCCALLUM.-It has always been held that the Colonial Surgeon is the Medical Officer of Health.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-There is some idea of appointing a medical man in charge of the Sanitary Department of the Colony--that is ashore. Could you give us any idea of what his duties would be ?
Mr. MCCALLUM.-There are a great many matters in connection with sanitation which would not come, strictly or remotely, under the province of a medical man, and I doubt very much if it would be wise to adopt the plan of putting a medical man in executive charge of the Sanitary Department. If they appoint a Medical Officer of Health, he should confine himself to purely medical work. I do not think he is likely to prove a good administrator.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.--Supposing such a man were appointed can you give us any idea what would comprise his duties?
Mr. MCCALLUM.--I could; but I should like to sit down and think about it.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.--It would be very important and useful to the commission if we knew exactly what duties he ought to perform. Perhaps you could furnish us with a memorandum ?
Mr. MCCALLUM.--If you wish it, I will be very glad to do so.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.--There is another question I should like to ask. In the event of such a man being appointed what duties would remain for you to perform?
Mr. MCCALLUM.It is a thing that wants careful thinking out.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-So far as I can see, if a medical man were appointed as Medical Officer to the Sanitary Board, your duties would be confined to the office altogether.
THE PRESIDENT.--Have you a sufficient staff to look after the sanitary condition of the Colony generally ?
Mr. MCCALLUM.I have had such a large increase to the staff since the beginning of the year that I think we have enough now. But it is such a short time since we got the increase that I should like to have more experience before I gave a decided opinion.