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on the ground that these dwelling houses were not reasonably
capable of being made fit for human habitation, and were in
such a state that the occupation thereof should be immediately
discontinued.
The action of the Council was vigorously opposed on behalf
of the owner, and the case was before the magistrate on several
days, but eventually all the houses were closed, four were
demolished, and the remainder were much improved as regards
light and ventilation, and put in a thorough state of repair.
The summonses were then withdrawn, the magistrate
allowing the Council twenty-five guineas for costs.
CERTIFICATES UNDER THE REVENUE ACTS.
Applications were received for certificates in respect of 409
dwellings, of which 257 were granted; 98 were given after
certain specified works had been completed, and 54 were
refused.
HOUSES LET IN LODGINGS
By-laws in respect of houses let in lodgings under Section
94 of the Public Health (London) Act were made by the late
Vestry in 1893, and were amended so far as related to the
exemption clause in 1895. It was found in administering the
by-laws that the definition of the word "Landlord" led to
considerable difficulties, as under them the landlord was made
responsible for the annual cleansing, and he was defined
as the person by whom the rooms were actually let, and in
a number of cases where a poor person had taken a
house and sublet some of the rooms, he was in such a financial
position as to be unable to comply with the provisions of the
by-laws.
New by-laws, which removed this difficulty by making
the owner, as defined in the Public Health (London) Act,
responsible for the annual cleansing, etc., were drafted and
approved by the late Vestry, in 1900.