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187
On March 25th, Inspector Norman visited the premises,
and on account of their condition served an Intimation
Notice upon the owner on March 26th (No. 1975), to repair
the roof and lime-white the walls and ceiling. As nothing
was done I served a Statutory Notice, by permission of the
Council, on April 24th, four weeks after the Intimation
Notice. Still nothing was done, and accordingly on May
28th (eight weeks after the Intimation Notice), I took out
a summons to enforce the work being done. The case came
on for hearing at the Clerkenwell Police Court, on June
4th. Inspector Norman and myself gave evidence, as
above stated. I added, further, that I had not seen such a
bad state of affairs in any workshop in the Borough of
Finsbury, and that I had formed the decided opinion that
the whole of these premises were, and had been for some
time, in such a state as to be unquestionably a gross
nuisance and injurious to health. The learned Magistrate,
having heard the evidence, gave judgment to the effect that
the matter was one between landlord and tenant, and did not
affect the public health. The tenant was not compelled to
remain in the dilapidated workshop, but did so because he
obtained it at a low rent. His Worship accordingly
dismissed the case.
The Borough Council resolved to appeal against this judgment,
and in due course made application. The Magistrate, however,
stated that he had adjudicated the case upon facts and not upon
law, and therefore declined to grant an appeal. Consequently
the Council was unable to proceed further in the matter. The
facts of the case were laid before the Home Office.
VII Special Enquiries in relation to Workshops —
As far as opportunity offers,it is hoped to be able to conduct enquiries
into conditions affecting the health of workers in Finsbury. We
have, strictly, few "dangerous trades," but in a district so largely
devoted to industrial occupation it is important to enquire from
time to time, and in various directions, as to the possibility of