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9
directed to some recently projected sanitary legislation,
having a very important bearing upon the public health.
The important Bill of Mr. Tite, having reference to the
better management of metropolitan buildings, &c., is by
no means so perfect a measure as could be desired. Its
main object appears to be to protect the rights of property,
but while it does this, it leaves quite untouched many of
those ill-considered and badly working provisions of existing
Acts, which all sanitarians and local authorities are
agreed stand much in need of amendment.
Another important measure, and one worthy of every
consideration is that of Mr. Torrens, the object of which is
to enable local authorities to purchase or pull down unhealthy
dwellings, and to erect others fit for habitation.
This Bill has recently passed the House of Commons, and
has since been referred to a Committee of the House of
Lords.* There has also been recently printed a Bill to give
increased powers to local authorities to deal with the adulterations
of food, &c., a measure of the highest importance,
proposing as it does great amendments of the existing
Acts upon the subject.
The Act to amend the laws relating to Vaccination, and
the Workshops and Factories Regulation Act, limiting the
hours of labour of women and children, are both in operation,
but as yet so indifferently carried out in many localities
as to render them all but useless for the purposes for
* Since this Report was written, the measure of Mr. Torrens has become law. Mr.
Torrens, speaking of the new Act, says "a competent surveyor is to be required to say
whether the dwelling is capable of being made wholesome by any and by what repairs
or whether it must be pulled down and rebuilt. In either case the owner of the property
is to have the option of doing the necessary work. If he declines, the vestry in the
metropolis (or the corporation elsewhere) is empowered and directed to have the repairing
or re-building properly done; and, in case of neglect or delay, appeal may be
made by the ratepayers to the Secretary of State."
There are other provisions of the highest importance in a sanitary point of view, which
renders the Act of great value. Great responsibilities are also thrown upon Medical
Officers of Health by this measure.