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Inspectors, and water-tested. 8148 Preliminary and
Statutory Notices have been served by the Inspectors
during the year under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891,
and the Metropolis Local Management Acts, and 2273 in
connection with infected houses (for disinfection, stripping
of wall papers, and general cleansing), whilst 42 have been
served under Part II. of the Housing of the Working
Classes Act, 1890. These last notices were served by the
Vestry Clerk as required by the Act. Of the total 10,625
Notices served, only 25 (i.e., 0.2%) led to summonses
before a Magistrate, a highly satisfactory statement, shewing
that practically the whole of the work is carried out without
having to resort to extreme measures. It may be added
that owners generally do what is necessary upon receipt of
the preliminary, or intimation, notices, and do not wait even
for the Statutory Notices which are issued by the Sanitary
Committee, who are empowered by the Vestry to act as
the Sanitary Authority in connection with the carrying
out of the Public Health Acts.
Many cases of combined drainages have received attention
during 1899, the majority being carried out by the
owners. The Vestry, by reason of the liability incurred in
the present state of the law has, in a comparatively fewcases,
had to carry out the necessary work, and thus private
properties have been improved at the cost of the general
rate, a condition of affairs that is unfortunate, and one that
was clearly never contemplated by the Legislature, when
the Metropolis Management Acts were drafted. Until the
law is altered, this liability must be met by the Vestry;
and the more inspections carried out by the Inspectors,
the more combined drainages (more or less defective)
will have to be dealt with. Fresh legislation is much
needed, but until such is passed, the Vestry cannot