Sessional_Paper_1895 — Page 617

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a brick structure should be established in a suitable site capable of accommodating forty patients, the woodwork to be kept in godowns in case of necessity. We visited various parts of the Island to get a site; then I left the Board and the next I heard was that the Hygeia had been built instead of that proposal.

Mr. MCCONACHIE.-Can you suggest any means for improving the Sanitary Board? Would it be an improvement to have a medical man attached in charge of the Sanitary Board?

Mr. CROW.--As chief executive officer?

Mr. MCCONACHIE.-I mean more in the way of a director of the Sanitary Board. I mean a Health Officer of the Colony.

Mr. CROW. I think it is absolutely necessary there should be a medical officer attached to the Board as Health Officer. His duties should be to the population what the duties of the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon are to the animals that come into the Colony,

Mr. THURBURN.--And he would do a good deal of Mr. MCCALLUM's present duties? I do not mean his duties as Secretary to the Board?

Mr. CROW.-Yes; I think so.

Mr. MCCONACHIE.-He would control the Inspectors and give them their instruc- tions?

Mr. CROW.--Yes. Dr. CANTLIE will perhaps remember after the small-pox epide- mic that when the new Health Ordinance was being drafted by Sir EDWARD O'Malley the question arose whether we would require the services of a medical man, and in that draft the Colonial Surgeon was put in and the question never cropped up whether it would work.

Mr. MCCONACHIE.-Are you of opinion that there should be a medical man, respon- sible for the health of the Colony, attached to the Sanitary Board?

Mr. CROW.-Yes. Of course the Health Officer of the Port works under a different Ordinance.

Mr. THURBURN.-The duties are different and would be kept separate?

Mr. CROW.-Yes.

Dr. CANTLIE.-Do you think it is possible to combine the two offices in one officer?

Mr. CROW.-Yes; one man could do both. There are not many steamers arriving in this Harbour; I think the average would be about ten per day. It is a big question however, because the Health Officer of the Port does not touch native craft.

Mr. THURBURN.-He has emigrants?

Mr. CROW.Of course the Health Officer of the Port only devotes part of his time to that duty.

Mr. THURBURN.-But Dr. JORDAN requires the assistance of Dr. BELL. Suppose there was one man, how is he to do the work?

Mr. CROW.---One man could do the work as well as the duties on shore. In normal times there is not much doing. Inspectors used to go round and make inqui- ries when notifications were sent to us, but it is a duty which could only be done competently by a medical man. There the Health Officer would come in.

Mr. THURBURN.—What do you think would be a proper staff for the Sanitary Board?