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8
The usual periodical visits have been made to cowhouses,
slaughter-houses, and bake-houses, and in all
of them the observance of sanitary precautions has
been enforced.
At the Licensing Court, held in October last, the
occupiers of 40 slaughter-houses and 38 cow-houses
received licenses from the Justices, and, in every case,
the decision was in accordance with the views of the
Sanitary Committee, based on the survey of the premises
or the Reports of the Officers of Health.
In the course of the year an important legislative
measure, entitled "The Artizans' and Labourers'
Dwellings' Act, 1868," came into operation.
It confers upon the local authorities very great
powers for the compulsory improvement of houses
inhabited by the more helpless classes, or, in case of need,
their demolition. Such powers require to be wielded
with great caution and forbearance, but without losing
sight of the object the Legislature had in view. In
the only case in which, during the year, the Vestry
received from the Medical Officer of Health the formal
report, which is necessary to set the law in motion,
they were enabled, by the ready compliance of the
owner of the premises complained of with their requirements,
to secure the due enforcement of the law, without
stretching their powers to the utmost, or acting with
harshness. The Vestry will not shrink from administering
a law which, although at first sight it may
appear to be an invasion of the rights of property, is
founded upon a due consideration for the health and
comfort of the poor; but they hope, in every case,
to temper the exercise of authority with discretion and
conciliation.
The Accounts for the year ending 25th March, 1869,
were, at the appointed time, submitted to the Auditors,
duly vouched, and allowed, and an abstract of them is
appended to this Report.