Public Health and Welfare Committee Minutes 102-30A
Sanitary Engineer’s Recommendation
Read Report from the Commissioner of Health as follows:
Halifax, N. S.
July 8, 1946
4:00pm
A meeting of the Public Health and Welfare Committee was held on the above date. There were present Alderman Batson Vice-Chairman; Alderman Lloyd, Coffin, Sullivan, Walker and Burgess.
Africville School
Alderman Batson referred to the conditions existing at Africville School and suggested that perhaps another site could be provided for them. Alderman Lloyd suggested that the City should seriously consider the matter of rehabilitating the residents of Africville in some other location. No definite action on the matter was taken at this time.
Meeting adjourned at 6:00 P.M.
Alderman E. B. Batson, Vice-Chairman
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Halifax, NS
November 26, 1947.
Chairman and Members.
Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Gentleman:-
Re: Sanitary Engineer’s Recommendation
Wells at Africville
It is my intention to stop examination of the wells at Africville. As II feel that this is just using our time which could be profitably used in other inspections. The wells run consistently bad and the residents are either not interested in sanitation or are incapable of carrying out the recommendations which we advise. I would strongly recommend that every effort be made on the part of the City to extend a line to Africville, so that these people may be supplied with wholesome drinking water. The cost of such water as far as I can see, will have to be absorbed by some Department, as it would be very difficult to assess these people when they are supplied by a common hydrant type fountain, which is the only type I would recommend.
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July 4, 1949
Building Permit Africville
Moved by Alderman Walker, seconded by Alderman Burgess that this matter be refered to the Committee on Works for the purpose of considering the possibility of extending the City Water Service to Africville. Motion passed.
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August 1, 1949
Barrington Street Africville – Building Permit
At a recent meeting of the Works Committee the application of Mr. Howe for a dwelling at Africville was considered and the question of supplying this district with water was brought up. I understand the City Solicitor contacted the Department of Municipal Affairs, who in turn state that the money for the installation f the water would be forthcoming.
It was therefore recommended that the Committee on Public Health and Welfare approve this permit and let it be forwarded it to the Works Committee for final approval or rejection as they see fit.
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August 6, 1951
Premises – Mr. & Mrs. Thomas, Africville
Inspection of the premises owned by Roy Mantley and occupied by Mr. And Mrs. Thomas, Africville, shows this building in a very insanitary and dilapidated condition. The building gas also been condemned by the Building Inspector. The owner Mr. Mantley wishes to demolish this building as the occupants there have been causing him a great deal of trouble. It is recommended to the Health Committee that this building be condemned and demoloished.
Respectfully submitted,
Allan R. Morton, M. D., M.P.H., F.A.P.H.A.
Commissioner of Public Health & Welfare.
Moved by Alderman Donahoe, seconded by Alderman Moriarty that the report be approved. Motion passed.
June 9, 1954
Africville privy
Read report from the Commissioner of Health requesting a decision as to whether or not further privies are to be constructed in this area due to the fact that an application has been received from Miss. J. Williams. Moved by Alderman Vaughan, seconded by Alderman Kitz that this matter be deferred for one month pending the report of sewer facilities for Africville. Motion passed.
*** à Re: Africville Garbage permit
Council Chamber
City Hall,
Halifax, N.S.,
May 11, 1955,
5.00 P. M.
A meeting of the Public Health and Welfare Committee was held on the above date.
There were present His Worship the Mayor Chairman; Aldermen Ferguson, Vaughan, Dunlop, DeWolf, Greenwood and O’Malley. Also present were Messrs. A. A. DeBard, Jr., R.H. Stoddard, C. P. Bethune, Q. C. and Dr. A. R. Morton.
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GARBAGE PERMIT
Africville, N. S. A. Carvery
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PARATYPHOID – AFRICVILLE DISTRICT
August 9, 1962
His Worship, Mayor J. E. Lloyd and Members of the Health Committee.
Re: Africville – Paratyphoid
Gentleman:
A child was admitted to the Children’s Hospital 17th July and diagnosis of Paratyphoid “B” was made. With this information we began to investigate home conditions and tried to find the source of the infection. We found the child’s mother, at that time, was clinically ill and she was admitted to the Victoria General Hospital where similar diagnosis has been confirmed.
A further investigation showed four other children in this household and in the next building to it with positive stool cultures. These four children have been watched daily by my nurses and doctors and on Wednesday, 1st August, one of these was showing clinical symptoms with fever and it too, was sent to The Children’s Hospital. The other three carriers or infected ones have been followed daily since and all of the immediate contacts were given vaccinations against typhoid and paratyphoid and stool samples obtained to see if there were any of those people had the infection. They have a;; proven negative to date and I, therefore, feel that the outbreak is being controlled fairly well; however, this condition may have a fairly long incubation period of up to even 35-40 days, so it will be necessary to continue our vigilance for that period of time.
Paratyphoid this a member of the typhoid family all of which are caused through poor hygienic conditions especially poor personal hygiene and the people out there have been warned about this. It will also spread through water but I do not believe, in this instance, that it is due to the water as usually a waterborne infection is much more wide spread. Any of the contacts who have been under investigation are warned not to go out as charwomen nor go to any other home or do anything the handling of food for others, other than their own family. This particular home is an extremely poor household even considering Africville standards.
We have found that practically all the wells in the Africville area are contaminated and posted signs have been placed on them advising the people that the water should be boiled or it should be chlorinated by the use of Javex or some other liquid chlorine preparation and we have instructed individuals in how this procedure can be done.
My Sanitary Inspectors and Nurses have been making daily trips to the area attempting to instruct and help in every way possible.
Respectfully submitted,
Allan R. Morton, M. D. C.M., M.P.H.,
Commissioner of Health and Welfare.
WELLS – AFRICVILLE
His Worship.
Deputy Mayor R. J. Butler and
Members of the Health Committe.
Re: Wells – Africville
Gentlemen:
An investigation by our sanitary inspectors reveals that the wells in Africville are heavily contaminated. This is the same condition that recurs each year and efforts are made to warn the people to boil the water or treat it with Javex or some chlorine preparations to provide some degree of safety in its use. The same procedure has followed this year. However, we feel there is little attention given to our warnings and instructions.
We will continue to post warnings on the wells and have brought this to your attention for your information.
Respectfully submitted,
P. R. C. Byars,
City Manager
Per: E. M. Fogo, M. D. C. M., D. P. H.
Commissioner of Health & Welfare
Public Health and Welfare Committee Minutes
Council Chamber,
City Hall,
Halifax, NS
June 8, 1967
2:35 p.m.
RESIDENCE AT AFRICVILLE UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION
The following report was submitted from the Commissioner of Health and Welfare:
Carvery Residence at the end of Forrester Street
The above named residence has been in such a state of disrepair and in such unsanitary condition, for such a long time as to be a danger to Public Health. It was hoped that the in the transfer of persons from Africville to better housing that this would have been one of the early transactions made. However, the point as been reached that such a dwelling can no longer be tolerated.
It is, therefore, recommended to the Committee that this residence be deemed unfit for human habitation pursuant to Section 35 of the Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1962, Chapter 13 of the Public Health Act which reads: –
“When it appears to a board of health that any building used as a dwelling house is so unfit for the purpose that the public health or the safety of the occupants is endangered or is likely to be endangered thereby, the board of health may order in writing that it shall be vacated within a reasonable time, to be therein prescribed and such order shall be served upon the inmated or left at such a dwelling house, and in case of disobedience thereto or of a reoccupation of the dwelling house without a permit, the board of health may direct a warrant to the sheriff or a constable to enforce compliance with the terms of such an order.”
The Commissioner of Health informed the Committee that the dwelling is occupied at the present time by only one person who does have relatives in the City, or in the event that they would be unable to accommodate her, she would be eligible to enter Basinview Home.
MOVED by Alderman Abbott, seconded by Alderman Sullivan that the Carvery residence at the end of Forrester Street be deemed unfit for human habitation under the authority of Section 35 of the Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1962, Chapter 13 of the Public Health Act. Motion passed.
AFRICVILLE FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM
A report was submitted from the Staff relating to the above matter.
MOVED by His Worsip the Mayor, seconded by Alderman Meager that representatives of the Africville Action Committee be heard. Motion passed.
Mr. Arthur Dixon, representing the Africville Action Committee addressed the Board and stressed the need for certain matters to be discussed with respect to the Africville Programme and suggested that a committee be formed of City Staff and possibly members of Council to sit down with the Africville Action Committee. He felt that consideration should also be given to a re-evaluation of the Africville lands.
After some discussion, it was MOVED by Alderman Hogan, seconded by Alderman Meagher that His Worship the Mayor appoint a Committee of City Staff and Council members to meet immediately with the Africville Action Committee to discuss the matters raised. Motion passed.
