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Later on, recognising the difficulties of the position,
after a frank discussion with the Chairman, I wrote a letter
to the Council suggesting a way out of the difficulty and
for promoting good working in the future by appointing
an Investigation Committee to go into the question of the
organisation of the Public Health Department. Thinking
of course that the Council recognised the mistake of the
resolution above cited.
After an endeavour to obtain an apology from me, this
course was adopted and the Investigation Committee was
appointed. The subsequent proceedings throw a flood of
light on the previous action.
On the 26th November, 1912, I presented a report on
the drainage at Nos. 122 to 132, Elgin Road, drawing
attention to the fact that these drains had been opened up,
found defective, and notices served on the owners to relay.
That on obtaining instruction to serve these notices I asked
for and obtained the promise of the special support of the
Public Health Committee, through the Chairman, in having
these notices enforced as a Councillor had stated he was
the builder and the owners had been to him.
That on the 21st November I received a message from
the Clerk that the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Chairman
of the Public Health Committee, wished to interview me
that evening. I attended, and these gentlemen then
informed me that arising out of a report by the Surveyor
to the Works Committee, they had visited these drains
together with the Surveyor and the builder, and then
proceeded to question my "judgment or efficiency" in
serving these notices. On my request they again visited
with me the next morning, and apparently altered their
opinion as I received no insructions from them. I also
pointed out the improper position, viz.: for another official to