Next &
CHINA MAIL.
8
Wednesday Settember 12t
1909.
*
RETRENCHMENT AND
REFORM.
PROPOSALS DISCUSSED AT THE SANITARY BOARD.
The Sanitary Surveyor.
(Continged from Page 3 y
Mr Shelton Hooper said that as tho storekeeper had to make himseli acquainted with the market price of small stores, aput from those open to tender, he certainly thought they should have a man of a little higher class and more responsible than a eubordinato Chiuese.
i was decided to recommend that the European storekeeper be vatainal.
The subject of a sanitary survepor being dispensed with was next discussed.
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Mr Shelton Hooper said they might now discuss the letter from Government in forming the Beard that they lead abolished the office of one Sanitary Surveyor. As there were only two surveyors and Mr Carter was at home in England on holidny he world like to know whether Mr Carter had been compulsorily retired or whether he had been given the op ion of coming back In that connection he might my that Mr Carter vame to the Colony eight years agen and be Gono for the Departinent than any other officer. Elis integrity and uprightness and zoal were an exsimple to the uthors. Not only that, but he gave up his privato time to forming a local branch of the Sauitary Institute, so that examinatious could be held Incally, and having worked eight years he wont home on leave, expecting to return, The Board wote now informed that Mr Cartor had been pensioned off ant as be had coached the age which precludes? bim from loring government service, that should be brought to the untics of the Government. From information which he possessed he knew that on July 25th Mr Carlor was not aware that he was not returning to the Colony. H, in the view of the Retrenchment Comtaltier, one officer could be ammmarily pensioued he wanted to know why the pisciple could not be applied to the inspectors whom the Govern- ment said they did not wish tas retain. He would like that this suggestion should gu to the Government.
Flon. Mr Hewett said he was very glad thai the question had been raised by Mr Hoeper. It sermed extraordinary that the Retrenchment Committee, which, after a}), endorsed the views expressed by the Public Health Commission, should have recom mended the carapulsory retirement of the very best man they had, and that AER whom the Commission recommended should be dismissed as worn as possible should be retained without any rosson at all. If one mian could be prusioned off twenty men could be pensioned off.
The President suggested it was possible that the point tad not been brought before the Government. If was possible that they might act on it.
Hon. Mr Hewett added that the report had been submitted to then for discussion The Board was asked to state how resty they consi'ered necessary before they could vage devl with, he question of getting sië atj
Inspectors comparisorily. He asserted that #fene man could be summarily pensioned that the thors could be summarily pon- sioned. There were a good many me: Jucke who would be removed with advantage in the service and the finances.
Dr. Fitzwilliams asked if they had any xesson for thinking Mearter had not been pensioned at his own request.
Hon. Mr Haweit replied that Mr Carter was not pensioned off as bis own request. The Fresident enid he had no information on the subject, but it was news to hita to tearn that Mr Carter did not wish to accept- the pension.
Hon. Mr Howett replied that Mr Carter) did not know a short time agu he was to be pensioned. He was at home a good many montha enjoying his holiday when he was suddenly informed his services were not required. He might have been looking for further employment during those months.
The Fres dent asked if any member | wished to make a solution.
Hon. Mr Gawett asked that the views they bad expressed be laid before the Cur.) erracut.
Mr Hooper expressed a similar wish. The President said a copy of their re marks would be forwarded to the Gor.
erbor,
Mr Lau Chu Pak said he wanted it to be recorded that he supported those remarks.
The Board agreed with the recommende tion that one sanitary surveyor was suffi elent for the needs of the Colony,
The Board then diemuss-d the recom- mendation that the number of inspectors be reduced.
Mr Hooper said he was not able to gree with the 'resident and Dr Fitzwilliams, but hold the view expressed by the Re- renchment Committer, which included the Colonial Secretary, the Colonial Tres- surer, the President of the Sanitary Board and Hon. Mr Marray Stewart That Committee, after taking evidenon, had re- commended three inspectors be dispensed with, a view with which he agreed. How. ever, he was prepared to compromise and accept an amendment striking out one. In a mercantile establishment where there was a fairly large staff, when any members went on vacation their duties cure distributed over the remainder and he anggested that that principle should teapply | be- sira-Dopaskujant. It might be argued that if they had an epidemic of plagne or any other infectious stisease they would not be able to cope with it, but anight point oot that if they were pushed they might borrow from the police, who had noted before us sanitary inspectors. present they acted as sanirary Inspectora in the suburbs and in the districts beyond the jurisdiction of the Board. They were sufficiently intelligent to act in cases of) emergency. When plague broke out in 1894 and they had not sufficient staf the military undertook the work, and to maintain a forca in time of peace that was equivalent in reany esses to that in time of war was, when their foANCES were NO straightened. bighly improper. He agreed with the Retrenchent Committee. Abought that two inspectors might go, bat : If three were proposed he would recapt that
At
Hon. Mr Howett disagreed with Mri Hooper in one matter. He thought they should adhere to the original recommenda tion of the Retrenchment Committee Epidemics had been exceeding rare during the past twenty years, and he thought it
was absurd to keep reserve men in tỉ:6 | chance of their being wanted once every two or three years. The military had as- sisted them belors, and he thought it was cheaper to pay for the special aid whea wanted.
The President said he did not view with Favour the reduction of the staff to 91, and gave figures to support his contention that this were done the men would not be able to overtake the increased duties cast pon them. He was prepared to com- promise and reônce the uuniber to 24, but They should not be reduced to the inf
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