An ordinance for the reconstitution of the Sanitary Board was introduced at the meeting of the Legislative Council on Tuesday. The Bill proposes a most sweeping change in this qusi-representative body. The number of members is to be reduced to five, namely the Director of Public Works,
an Capt-Supt of Police, and Colonial Surzeoo, two unoffic members, the latter to be elected by the jurors and such residents as are for professional reasons exempt from service on juries. The old Board had five unofficial members, three nominated and two elected, and it is generally considered that the proposal to reduce the number is a step in the direction of curtailing the scanty representative privileges enjoyed by the British residents. The Governor argues that the old Board was was not a workable one, and it is sought by the new Bill to expedite the despatch of public business by reducing the number of members and to throw the primary responsibility for sanitary administration upon the Government, It is true there was more talk than action by the old Board, but that was chiefly because they had no administrative functions. I maintain that the present measure is not satisfactory. Either abolish the Board altogether and entrust the whole poner, and. responsibility to frstclass health Officer or else appoint a really representative Board or Council with larger Were. Mr. Whitehead proposed, and Dr. To-Kai seconded, that the Bill be postponed for a month to allow time for its considertion. The Governor raised no objection, and the motion, was agreed to.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.