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impossibility of myself carrying out this duty. Obviously
while engaged in this detailed work I was unable to devote
that time to other matters which should have received
attention. Moreover, if the effort had been successful, my
time and attention would have been more than fully occupied
in one direction only. With this question of Medical
Inspection was the question of the relationship of the
Inspector of Nuisances to the Medical Officer of Health. If
the Minutes and the local Press be examined during the
past three years, It will be found that a continued effort
was made to support the authority of the Inspector against
the Medical Officer of Health, both in regard to the control
of the subordinate officers and especially with regard to all
drainage matters. That the contention was impossible
will, I think, be evident from the Minutes, for it will be
seen that I was obliged to take more and more control into
my own hands, and the present position is costly and
indefensible.
That even purely personal matters were not omitted,
1 will only mention the matter of the conversion of my
houses in the Cranbrook Road into shops, culminating in
the Council's resolution to the following effect:—
"That Dr. C. F. Stovin, having forfeited the
confidence of the Council, he be asked whether he is
prepared to tender his resignation forthwith; failing
which, a deputation apprise the Local Government
Board of the full facts of the matter, with a view to
determining his appointment as Medical Officer of
Health, School Medical Officer and Medical Superintendent
of the Isolation Hospital."
Such a resolution arising out of such a matter would
be impossible, I am prepared to prove, without at least the
concurrence of officials.