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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Public Health (London) Act, 1956
Nuisances
During the year, one hundred and sixty summonses were issued
for various nuisances under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936. In
forty-eight cases Abatement Orders were secured and costs amounting to
£42. Os. Od. were awarded to the Council. In fifty-five cases the
summonses were withdrawn, the nuisances having been abated prior to the
Court hearings. In fifty-six cases the summonses were adjourned as
the necessary works were being carried out by the defendants. In the
remaining case the summons was dismissed.
Eleven prosecutions were undertaken for failure to comply with
Justices' Orders to abate statutory nuisances. In seven cases fines
amounting to £25. 1s. 6d. were imposed and costs amounting to £8. 18s. 6d.
were awarded to the Council. The remaining four cases were withdrawn
as the necessary works had been carried out.
Council's Byelaws
Dog Nuisances
Two summonses were issued under this byelaw. In both cases
convictions were obtained and fines totalling £1. Os. Od. were imposed
and costs of £1. 0s. 0d. were awarded to the Council.
Housing Act, 1936
Contraventions of Closing Orders
Nine summonses were issued in respect of the illegal occupation
of closed underground rooms. In four cases convictions were obtained
and fines of £10. 0s. 0d. were imposed with £4, 4s, 0d. costs to the
Council. Three summonses were withdrawn as the owners had carried out
the works necessary to make the rooms fit for habitation. The other two
summonses were adjourned.
In a further case a summons was issued in respect of the
illegal occupation of a closed house. A conviction was obtained and a
fine of £12. Os. Od. was imposed with £4. 4s. Od. costs to the Council.
Food and Drugs Act, 1955
Four summonses were issued in respect of the sale of food not
being of the nature, substance or quality demanded. Convictions were
obtained in all cases. In three, the defendants were fined a total of
£7. Os. Od. with £14. 14s. Od. costs, and in the fourth case the defendant
was discharged conditionally on payment of £5. 5s. 0d. costs.
Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955
Proceedings were taken at the West London Magistrates 'Court
against various defendants for contraventions of these Regulations. The
contraventions included smoking whilst engaged in handling food, exposing
food to contamination, lack of cleanliness of equipment, and lack of
cleanliness and repair of food rooms. Fines totalling £34. 0s. 0d. with
£8. 16s. 6d. costs were imposed.