The Board regulated the public health activities of local government. The resultant opposition coupled with regular Parliamentary interference with its budget hampered the Board's efforts. The Board comprised 5 members appointed by the Governor-in-Council. This was increased to 7 in 1889 with 3 of the members having medical qualifications and the Chief Secretary as Chairman. In addition to its own regulatory and inspectorial functions, the Board exercised a degree of control over the actions of local boards of health, particularly the appointment of health officers and the wording of by-laws. This engendered considerable hostility from local government (especially in Hobart which had its own Public Health Act from 1884). Elected bodies objected to coming under the direction of an appointed body. The Board was further hampered by Parliamentary interference with its budget. For example, no salaries were voted for 1886. These were restored the following year, but no other funds were provided. Epidemics of smallpox, typhoid, diphtheria and scarlatina had made it obvious that better management of public health was necessary. Constant bickering over costs, however, made effective action difficult. An outbreak of smallpox in Launceston in 1887 led to further strengthening of the reporting requirements of the Public Health Act, but no funding for staff or facilities. The Board's powers were further strengthened in 1896 but the penalties for failing to comply with its directives were reduced. A new Vaccination Act struggled through Parliament in 1898 but was slow to become effective. As early as 1887 there had been an attempt to abolish the Board. In 1903 the Government legislated to replace it with a Public Health Department which came into being on 6 January 1904. However, as the adeqate provision of staff was not addressed at the same time there was no immediate improvement.