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[1899
209
DISTRICT INSPECTION.
During the year, 6,387 houses were thoroughly inspected by
the fourteen district inspectors, 387 being the result of a house to
house inspection. These inspections entailed 53,837 subsequent
visits for the examination of the works that were required under
the Vestry's Notices. Altogether 22,455 improvements were
effected in 5,505 houses.
All these benefits were not attained, however, without resort
to legal action, for it became necessary to issue 91 summons to
enforce the requirements of the Vestry's Statutory Notices. In 60
instances the Vestry was successful in obtaining the magistrates'
orders for the execution of the works, in 24 instances the summons
were withdrawn, the notices having been complied with in the
interval between the dates of their issue and of their hearing, and
in 7 instances they were dismissed, chiefly because of inability to
prove ownership.
It is not always an easy matter to prove the ownership of
property, as was instanced in the Brooksly Mews Case, and more
recently in the case of the mews at the rear of Highbury Terrace.
It is particularly difficult when properties are in the hands of
trustees, who invariably seek to do as little as possible, and who
conceal their identity in every conceivable manner. The rule of the
Sanitary Authority is to summon the persons who receive the rents.
This, unfortunately, sometimes brings the Vestry into antagonism
with these persons, many of whom carry on business as house agents.
Some of them very much resent being called on to execute works, and
plead that they are only agents. The law on the subject is, however,
very clear, and does not leave them a loophole for escape. I confess
that as a rule the Public Health Department would much prefer to
deal directly with the landlords than with agents, a few of whom seem