View report page

15
great diminution of scarlatinal cases, indeed, it was less than in
any year since 1866. This would have been very satisfactory,
if an epidemic of small pox had not begun at the end of the
year, but as before stated, epidemics must, under present circumstances,
be expected, at or about their usual periods of
recurrence.
The number of notices served during the year have been very
large, as no less than 1296 lodging house, 3594 preliminary,
2064 peremptory, and 574 statutory notices were issued from
this office, making a total of 7528, against 6653 in 1869. There
was a greater number of summonses issued, than usual, viz., 96.
Many of these were of considerable importance. In one case, I
took out a summons against an undertaker for removing, without
previous disinfection, a coffin in an open cart, after it had been
for some time in the room of a person who had died from small
pox. The magistrate dismissed the summons, and expressed his
regret that the law compelled him to do so. Summonses were
taken out for the abatement of two of the overcrowding cases,
described in this report, and orders for its abatement obtained.
A summons was taken out against Mr. Davy, for burning a very
offensive matter, known as dead oil, when Mr. Davy discontinued
it. Another summons was taken out against Mr. Harrison, for
not using the best practicable means for preventing his business
from being a nuisance to the neighbourhood. Summonses were
also taken out, and orders obtained, against two dust contractors
and scavengers, for allowing accumulations to remain on their
premises so as to become a nuisance, and injurious to the health
of the neighbourhood. A person was also summoned for not
having made his drains in accordance with the order of the
Board, and was fined one pound; but a summons against the
same person for cutting off his neighbour's drain, and causing a
nuisance on his neighbour's premises was dismissed. Several
summonses for the illegal keeping of pigs, for dilapidated
premises, etc., were decided in favor of the Board.