, 1884-09-24

said, that as 1t would take some time TO
work out a set Of sanitary regulations, II
was proposed that Government should
issue temporary regulations. When cho-
lera was last in the West Indies the
Government of st. Croix issued under date
Of % November 1863 an Order containing
such regulations as were considered most
necessary. To-day it is considered doubt
full whether the Government could legally is
sue such an Order, therefore it was most pru-
dent to obtain express legal authorization,
and hence clause 3. The temporary regu-
lations would cease when the others had
been issued, which would not be later than
June 1885, he hoped much sooner. He
would recommend the Council to deal with
the Draft as speedily as possible, since we
do not know how soon the danger may
appear.
Mr. Jas. Wilson thought the fine of 800
too high, and that under the altered cir
cumStances managers should not be held
responsible.
CAPT. Willard had no doubt thlt no
member of the Council or of the Communi,
ty would object to see the Government put
sanitary regulations in force. We were Il
small community, but the danger was as
great for us as for a larger place. He
agreed then with the principles of the
Draft, but he thought it should be made
plain that after a manager has given the
orders required and done his best to see
them obeyed he should not be held further
responsible. Managers had not the power
over the people that they had formerly,
and if any attempt was made to coerce
them they simply went elsewhere.
The Governor recognized the altered
position of the managers, which would be
considered in framing the regulations. The
fine of 500 was the limit upwards, the
actual amount might be as low even as Il
a few cents.
Dr.. KaImer said this was as an age Of
preventive medicine. According to the old
adage ga stitch in time saves nine"
He foreSaw some difficulty in carrying
out the law in the country if managers
were to be relieved from the responsibility.
He did not mean to speak against the
managers nor for them. 1t may be said
that the |OccupierS of the houses are reSpOn-
sible, but it is well known that they ave
very changeable, one to-day another to-
morrow. In most cases the OCCupier is not
even a renter, and it must at least be adj
mitted that the owner is bound to deliver
the house in good sanitary condition. He
merely mentioned the matter because he
fOresaw some practical difficulties here.
Referring to the Remarks to the Draft
he could not see why hospitals, schools
sc. should be placed under the Sanitary
Commission. AS there were special Com
missions for them already it was unneceS-
sarv, and moreover the Sanitary Commits
sions would have enough work without
these additions.
He would like to be allowed to ask the
Government a question, namely regarding
the registration of births and deaths. 1t
was we'll known that in this island we pos
ReSs no proper registration OF births and
deaths. 1t is true that the Lutheran
Pastors keep books for this purpose, but
these give no correct idea of the relation
between the births and deaths. This is a
matter Of great Importance, especially
where, as here, the population is steadily
decreasing. Then III regard to the great
infant mortality, of which we have heard
something lately, not a single man knows
whether we eXaggerate it or whether we
do not. The general impression is doubt
less correct, but nothing certain is known
about it. Neither is anything known i'll
regard to the number Of grown up people
who die before they should die. AS His Elk
c~ellencv the Governor had Shewn great in
terest in Just such questions as these, he
had taken the liberty to bring the matter
forward and would ask whether something
could not be done i'll this regard.
The Governor remarked i'll regard to the
responsibility of %managerS, that they should
be expected to give the necessary orders to
the ~labOurerS, and use their influence with
them, but should not be punished for dis
obedience on the part OF the lahOurerS.