 The Sanitary Board was established in 1883 to supervise and control the sanitation of the colony but was unpopular with the property owners and the Chinese community.It initially consisted of solely official members but provision was made for nominated unofficial members and two members elected by the ratepayers on the special and common jury lists.In the first election held in June 1888, there were four contestants including Francis who was elected with 55 votes with John D. Humphreys 71 votes while Robert K. Leigh and A. MacConachie were defeated with 43 and 18 votes respectively.