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Fourth.—Where unwholesomeness exists, dependent not only upon these causes,
but upon such close building in of houses in courts as would render nugatory any
efforts at ventilating individual houses, from the fact, that the air thus admitted
would be almost as unwholesome as that which exists in the houses themselves; or
where in courts and other places let in tenements to dirty people, privies and water
cisterns are so situated as to be a cause of disease or mortality to the inhabitants of
the place. The opening out of these places appear to have been an object contemplated
by the promoters of the Bill, as well as by Parliament.
Fifth.—Where, from extreme dilapidation and consequent incorrigible dirtiness,
premises could not be rendered wholesome for habitation without almost complete
reconstruction within the four walls.
Sixth.—Where landlords, having been repeatedly subjected to the operation of
the Nuisances Removal Acts, with the object of obtaining such amendments as these
Acts contemplate, have habitually so imperfectly performed the work assigned them,
that the houses have speedily fallen into their former state, and have consequently
caused a waste of time and labour to the sanitary officers of the Vestry.
It has been argued as against the application of this statute that the local
authority has power, under the Nuisances Removal Act, to obtain the closure of
unwholesome houses. Theoretically this is true, but practically this provision has
failed in operation; inasmuch as the Magistrates at the Police Court have decided,
that although they may order the closure of a house, no means are prescribed for
evicting existent tenants.
Acting upon the principles which I have explained—for it was clear that some
principles of action must be previously settled—I have reported to the Vestry three
series of premises, which, taken together, illustrate the class of cases to which I am
disposed to think this Act is peculiarly applicable, namely, Parcells Court, in the
High Street; certain houses and shanties in Brand Street, Holloway ; and certain
houses in Albert Square, with which the Vestry will deal according to their judgment.
As to the last of these, my report has had the effect of hastening a closure long contemplated,
bat which was injuriously delayed, of several houses purchased by the
Railway Company. In the instance of Parcells Court and Albert Square, I
appended to my report a statement of the grouads on which I regarded the premises
to be unwholesome, that is to say, of the conditions or evils existent, on account of
which I held the medical opinion that the premises were dangerous to health. And
I did this because I could not see in what other way I could make it evident to the
Vestry, and through the Vestry to the surveyor, to whom my report was to be
submitted, what the evils were upon the cause and remedy of which he would be
called upon to report. Simply to report that such and such premises were dangerous
to health, and so unfit for human habitation, although a sufficient compliance with
the strict letter of the statute, would have thrown upon him the task of forming a
medical opinion, for which he would be as little qualified as I should be to direct in
technical detail the alterations which would be requisite. Had I neglected to do so,