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the whole of his time to the Vestry's work, and Dr. Allan, after his
service at the Strand, to devote the rest of his time in superintending the
work of the Vestry's Public Health Department and to attend Committees,
and after the expiration of his notice, to give the Vestry such
assistance as may be required with regard to the Moira Place Improvement
Scheme gratuitously.
These recommendations were adopted by the Vestry on the 3rd January, 1893,
and a proposal was sent to the Local Government Board, in accordance with the
terms of the second recommendation in the Officers' Committee's report. The Local
Government Board replied, requesting the Committee to reconsider the amount of
the proposed salary to be paid to the Medical Officer, and quoting the cases of
other parishes in the Metropolis where larger salaries were being paid. Much
correspondence has taken place between the Local Grovernment Board and myself
on the question of the salary, and the hours during which the Medical Officer
'should be required to attend to discharge his duties, but no settlement has been
arrived at within the period covered by this report.
The Board, who are practically masters of the situation by virtue of the
powers conferred upon them by the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, required
the Medical Officer to be paid a salary of £600, and to devote the whole of his
time to the duties of the office, but the Officers' Committee have urged the Board
to sanction a smaller salary, in view of the requirements and position of this
parish.
In view of the fact that some time was likely to elapse before the Committee
were able to come to terms with the Local Government Board, they recommended
the Vestry to engage Dr. L. T. F. Bryett (a Doctor of Medicine of the London
University and Diplomate in Public Health, who had acted as Assistant
Medical Officer to Dr. Allan), to act temporarily as Medical Officer of Health, to
devote the whole of his time to the duties of the office, his salary to be at the rate
of £400 per annum, and the engagement to be determinable at a month's notice on
either side. The Vestry adopted the recommendation and appointed Dr. Bryett
temporarily on the 4th April, 1893.
On the 16th March, 1893, the General Purposes and Sanitary Committee
resolved— "That this Committee expresses its regret on losing the services of Dr.
F. J. Allan as Medical Officer of Health, he having discharged those duties with
courtesy and to the Committee's entire satisfaction, and it hereby wishes him every
success in discharging the duties of his new appointment." This resolution was
endorsed by the Vestry at their meeting on the 4th April, 1893.
(i) ASSISTANT CLERK.
On the 10th January, 1893, a letter was read to the Vestry from Mr. G. W.
Clarke, asking for an increase of his salary, and was referred to the Officers'
Committee for consideration and report. The Committee in their report of the