185 (67)
55. One of the most obnoxious clauses in the original Bill was the proposed appointment of the Sanitary Commissioner and the petition drew particular atten- tion to that part in paragraph 8 as follows:-
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56. Another important matter of principle is the question of the expediency "of giving to one Officer of the Sanitary Board-the proposed Sanitary Com- "missioner-such large and arbitrary powers as the Bill contains--with an ideal "man whose successors at least could not be assured a despotic system may "be the most convenient as otherwise it is certainly the worst. Your petitioners urge that all important discretionary matters whereof none would permit a "reference to the Board may be so referred and that the functions of the Commis- "sioner if such an officer is to be appointed may be exercised under the control "of the Board restricted to points of detail and routine. Further as it is intended "the Commissioner shall be a medical man, Your Petitioners submit that he "should at any rate be relieved from all such work as specially falls within the "province of the Civil Engineer and Architect."
57. In the new Bill which afterwards became law, the proposed creation of the new office of Sanitary Commissioner was deleted.
Dr.
58. This deletion was quite approved of by the Principal Civil Medical Officer Page 1985/6.
VINSON) who was averse to the creation of such office.
Questions 16210/1.
59. His reasons for non approval of the appointment were that they wished to appoint a medical man whom he thought would not have sufficient knowledge to fall the requirements of this oflice-ratlier than to the office itself. He did not 168436. think a mical mail she was a stranger to the Colony should have these powers.
60. It is an open accret that
LARK who had been Medical Officer, of
Professor
Health since June, 1895 years) is the medical man Dr. ATKINSON refers to, and Page 4. Professor SIMPSON in his Repo Dr. CLARK's knowledge of Sanary require- Simpson's ments of Hongkong is unrivalled.
Iteport.
of this
61. Considering that the proposed Sanitary Commissioner was to have been See para, 48 the administrative officer and to be responsible to the Government for the efficient review. working of the Department, it is a little damenlt to reconcile Dr. ATKINSON'S objections to the office when he recommends to the Government the creation of a Sanitary Department of which he accepts the porton of Administrative Head.
1902.
62. The Bill was fully debated and one thing the the unofficial members of Hansard the Legislative Council called prominent attention to, was the constant introduction page 77. of fresh Legislation on Sanitary matters-no fewer than 23 Ordinances relating to Building and Sanitation having been passed within 15 years. The Honorable Mr. C. S. SHARP (Chamber of Commerce) said one thing he felt sure the Com- munity ardently desired to arrive at in regard to the matters if possible was some sort of finality in regard to such legislation as continual introduction of fresh legislation bearing on the same subject cannot fail to have and does have the effec of creating misgivings and great uncertainty in the mind of the public who be bad for the place and its prosperity.
63. Mr. CHADWICK said the Draft Ordinance which he draw up had for its object the avoidance of the necessity for further Sanitary gislation for the next few years.
64. His Excellency said he earnestly hoped the Bill work go through and Hansard he hoped they would find some finality in this necessary legislation on Sanitary 27th Novem matters and that the result would be wit they all hoped benefit to the Colony. ber, 1902. Notwithstanding this statement as to the finality of Legislation by this Ordinance which became law 21st February, 1903, and the notification of the King's non- disallowance of same in Government Gasette 29th August, 1903.
65. On 19th November, 103, the Government introduced an Ordinance No. Hansard 23 of 1903 to amend the Health and Buildings Ordinance Number 1 of pages 50&62, 1903 and amongst its provisions were me which altered the whole character of the sanitary administration by this creation of a Sanitary Department, and thereby gave the Principal Civil Medical Officer the direct administration by holding him