Meeting of the Health Committee held on Friday, August 4, 1922, at 4.80 p.m.
Filming of Municipal. Activities. Following upon discussion of this matter with the Commissioner of Public Works, in accordance with the—Council's directions June 21, it was ascertained that the Commissioner of Public Health had already gone fully into the question from the point of lew of Health Department activities. In the circumstances, it was arranged that the latter should, at the same time, deal with the question from che point of view of other Departments. His report, which has been circulated to members, is now submitted, and it is noted that, at first, he proposes to deal only with Health Department activities, postponing extension to the activities of other Departments until sufficient time has elapsed to benefit by the experience of the Health Department. It is also noted that the initial expenditure involved amounts to Tls, 2,720, which in-eludes the cost of a Camera and fittings, Projector and fittings, Films, Screens and Lantern Slides, ete.
At the outset of the discussion which takes place, the Chairman remarks that the Council had already approved the proposal in principle, on the understanding that the estimated initial expenditure would be in the neighbourhood of Tls. 1,000. The Committee 1s informed that the estimate of Tis, 1,000, mentioned to the Council, represented the cost of a camera and projector only, and did not include the various other items now included, which, to a large extent, represent working expenditure.
The Chairman remarks that, of all the Departments, the Health Department appears to provide the greatest scope for this class of work, After stating that, before according its approval, the Council desires to be satisfied that the expenditure involved is fully warranted he requests the Commissioner of Public Health to express his opinion on the subject. In application of the views expressed in his report, the latter refers to the great advantage, from an educational point of view, which the utilization of cinematography in Public Health Work confers. He states thai, by this means, the public would obtain a higher appreciation of the Department's efforts, and that, as a result, many of the difficulties against which the Department has, at present, to contend, would gradually disappear. After enumerating the various subjects which, at. first, would be dealé with at the Branch Health Offices, Markets, Schools, fete, he states that, later on, he I particularly desires to have' the {films shown in the local Cinema Halls. In answer to the Chairman's enquiry, he states that the estimate quoted will provide a complete equipment, which will be ample for all Departments. He also informs the members that the firm quoting have undertaken to provide, free of cost, everything in the way of tuition, until the Department is competent to produce its own films.
In reply to Dr. Jackson, he estimates the cost of producing a film at 26 cents per foot, or Ts, 200 to Ts. 600-700 per film, according to length. In the case of the Health Department, he considers that the expenditure will not be heavy, since a good set of films, once produced, will serve its requirements for very many years. The Chairman then enquires as to My Directors note that it has been decided to refer the matter of the desirability of the purchase of the Company's undertaking by the Council back to the Special Committee appointed in 1918, further that reference to this Committee will be made at an early date and that so soon as possible after the report has been received and considered by the Council it will be laid before the ratepayers for their instructions, They would emphasize the necessity of deciding this matter as soon as possible as in the meantime the Company is prejudiced in the direction of inviting further subscriptions of capital from the public owing to the uncertainty of the Company's tutu Moreover, in view of the possibility of the decision being against the purchase, they suggest that negotiations for the modifiection of the agreement of 1905 the probable expenditure on continue pending the report of the P.W.D. subjects. After pointing; Special Committee. In this con-out that P.W.D. requirements nection they would refer to the differ from those of the Health statement in the speech of the late Department, in that the films would not serve for so long period, due to changing conditions and the completion of new works from time to time, the Commissioner of Public Works states that such expenditure can, however, be cut down to an absolute figure each year. He undertakes, however, to report fully on the subject: for the Council's information at an early date. During the remainder of the discussion, it is apparent that members consider the expenditure, as estimated, and for which no provision was included in the current estimates, fully warranted particularly so' far as concerns the Health Department. After some further remarks concerning the desirability of improving the hygienic education of all sections of the community, but more particularly the Chinese, the recommendation in question is commended to the Council for favourable consideration.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.