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effectively control both the Medical and Sanitary Departments, and submitted a proposal by which the Principal Civil Medical Officer should be relieved of certain duties and appointed to the post, and in this the Secretary of State acquiesced. The Principal Civil Medical Officer's duties, however, included the charge of Victoria Hospital which at that time involved but little work but has now become an onerous charge. The Commission point out that the duties of the Principal Civil Medical Officer are such as to render it most unadvisable that he should remain President of the Sanitary Board and Head of the Sanitary Department. In this view my predecessor concurred and so does the Principal Civil Medical Officer himself. I regard it therefore as a matter of urgency that steps should be taken without delay to appoint a new Head of Department and since no alteration in the law is required I would request that if Your Lordship concurs you will convey to me your approval by telegram so that the appointment may take effect from 1st January next.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble servant,
MacDonnell
Governor, &c.