Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Tuesday 9 January 1900, page 4


THE CITY HEALTH OFFICER.

A special meeting of the City Local Board of Health on Monday afternoon dealt with the case of the medical officer, Dr. J. Sprod. A special enquiry committee

bad been appointed by the board to ex-amine Dr. Sprod on his knowledge of bacteriology, and the doctor informed them with perfect frankness that he was practically unacquainted with this branch of the medical science. Dr. Sprod was not present at the meeting, but his cause was championed by Alderman Tucker, who was supported by Councillor Klauer and Alderman Tomkinson. Alderman Tucker, after referring to the medical officer's qualifications and experience, stated that he fully believed him to be competent as regarded bacteriology, and that he would consider that Dr. Sprod had been unfairly treated unless he were allowed an oppor-tunity oi producing proofs of his com-petency. Alderman Tomkinson expressed doubts as to the value of bacteriology. Mr. Tucker's motion in favor of giving Dr. Sprod an opportunity to qualify was, af-ter considerable discussion, defeated. It was explained that in the resolution ren-dering a position vacant under the terms of t!he Health Act it was necessary that the words "is hereby dismissed" should be used, it having been pointed out by the Central Board that the phrase "that his services "be dispensed with" was inade-quate. Accordingly, Mr. Baker moved — "That in terms of the letter of the Central Board, Dr. "John Sprod be hereby dismiss-ed, and that on the receipt of the approval of the Central Board to the above dismiss-sal, applications be invited for the posi-tion." The motion was carried, the divi-sion list showing nine votes in favor of it and five against. On the motion of Coun-cillor Denny it was resolved that the fol-lowing explanatory resolution should be carried:—"That the above resolutions are carried in the terms o£ the letter of the Central Board and the Health Act, Dr. Sprod having refused to resign."