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can only be enforced by a Justice's Order, and a magistrate
will not grant such order unless it be proved to him that there
is reasonable cause to suspect nuisance on the premises. Even
then, unless the suspected nuisance be overcrowding, the
officer can only enter between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., whereas for
certain purposes, e.g., the detection of small-pox cases, it is
important to have power to enter at any time.
(2) The bye-laws lay down a minimum standard of cubic
space. In the new bye-laws drafted by the Council, which
have received the preliminary approval of the Local Government
Board, the standard is 400 cubic feet per adult in rooms
occupied exclusively as sleeping rooms, and 500 cubic feet in
rooms used for living and sleeping. This bye-law will be found
of great service in dealing with overcrowding. In an ordinary
house there is no legal standard of cubic space, and a
magistrate can refuse to convict, even if the above standards
are not maintained.
(3) Definite provisions as to cleansing are laid down.
These have been found most useful in places where the byelaws
have been enforced. There is a large number of houses
in Battersea where definite provisions as to periodical
cleansing would be of great benefit to the inmates.
(4) The procedure in dealing with overcrowding, dirty
houses, etc., is greatly simplified. At present if overcrowding,
for instance, is found, the usual procedure is to serve a notice
for abatement. This has effect on that particular house, but
the displaced persons merely overcrowd elsewhere. In a
registered house the Sanitary Authority can prosecute the
landlord direct for a breach of the bye-laws, and apply for
penalties. This procedure should be adopted in cases of
overcrowding, unless there are very good reasons to the
contrary. It has the effect of giving the landlord a pecuniary
interest in the prevention of overcrowding, and converts him,
practically, into a colleague of the sanitary inspector.
The bye-laws in force in Battersea before the present
year were made in 1893, and from the difficulties experienced