Page 64 - Tropic Magazine Issue 25

TROPIC • REGIONAL HISTORY

1
Inspector of

Nuisances

AN ODD JOB
Tropic’s regional history
column takes a look back at a
unique council role. 2

Words: Nicky Horstmann
Whilst it sounds like a job associated Publication of the minutes of a Council improving the behaviour in Norman
with running schools, in the early days Meeting in the local newspaper reveals Park (now Munro Martin Park) on
of Cairns this official appointment some of the matters that the then Sundays and the scavenging rates to be
went to a jack-of-all trades employed Inspector of Nuisances, Thomas Lennox charged to Government buildings.
by the local municipal authority. Seaton, had to deal with. The following My favourite, however, is the very public
The role of the Inspector of Nuisances are extracts from the Morning Post on listing of some 25 local businesses that
was extremely diverse, including the 17th October 1902: were flaunting the laws with signage,
overseeing and controlling health and awnings and other obstacles hanging
sanitation, drainage, and pests of all “The report of the Inspector of Nuisances too low over footpaths. Talk about name
types. was as follows: - and shame!
This officer was also called upon At the very same meeting, The Inspector
to inspect buildings and lodging • Clause 1 – The street gas lamps have of Nuisances also had to report on his
houses, control matters concerning been well attended to during the month. investigation into a complaint lodged by
public behaviour, street lighting and • Clause 2 – Traffic has been well prominent businessperson Robt. Sturt
so much more. To cap it all off, the conducted. concerning “a stench arising from the
Inspector of Nuisances was also in • Clause 4 – The sanitary contract has drain at the intersection of Abbott and
charge of the pound. been well carried out. A few complaints Shields streets.” Mr Sturt wanted to
Based on the models that were have been made that have received avoid “an outbreak of enteric fever.”
adopted in Britain during the mid- attention. Mr Seaton’s response was that “...he had
nineteenth century, it’s likely that • Clause 5 – Three persons have been noticed no smell there. The drain was
there was an Inspector of Nuisances summoned and fines for obstructing the flushed out every day by the Imperial
role created here as early as 1879, footpaths.” Hotel.” In a move that best reflected that
when the Cairns Divisional Board was discretion truly was the better part of
established. Certainly, when the Local Further clauses refer to the findings on valour, the councillors decided that this
Divisional Boards Act was passed the unsuitability of certain premises was a matter best left in the hands of the
in 1885, and the Cairns Municipal to be registered as boarding houses, Mayor!
Council took over the reins, the role the successful implementation of the
would have been mandated. Council’s instructions with regard to 1. An old newspaper tearsheet from the time
2. Cairns circa 1912

64 • Tropic • Issue 25