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159
On March 17th, 1910, the Public Health Committee
brought up before the Council a recommendation to discontinue
the establishment of the Milk Depot as a Council
undertaking, and to leave to the Committee the taking of
the necessary steps for such a purpose, with a view to the
transference of the undertaking to a private firm, or for
otherwise dealing with the establishment as might be
thought desirable. The Committee's recommendation was
based upon the facts: (a) that the Council had since instituted
a systematic visiting at their homes of new-born
infants, and (b) that the undertaking did not show in the
last two years a progress in patronage sufficient to justify
the annual estimate (£200) being increased in accordance
with the, suggestion of the Medical Officer of Health, who
reported that the £200 was not sufficient as a yearly
estimate, and that, therefore, the administration of the
Depot had been restricted and its influence for good, consequently,
proportionately limited, especially having regard
to the fact that the Council was not in favour of the Depot
being fully advertised by branch depots being opened in different
parts of the Borough, etc., on the ground of expense.
The Council refused to accept the Committee's recommendation
and passed the following resolution:—
That in view of the Committee's estimate (£610)
for the ensuing year 1910-1911, in respect of the Milk
Depot showing a less expenditure than for the past
year (£655) and an anticipated increased income (£400
as compared with £327), the Council is of opinion that
the Depot should be continued, and that the Committee
be authorised to take the necessary steps to appoint a
successor to the present Manageress, whose resignation
has been accepted.
Two letters were received by the Council, dated 17th
March, 1910, petitioning the Council against the closure of
the Milk Depot.