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which, while fairly remunerative, shall not beoppressive
to the ratepayers—power to settle the
rate, in case of dispute, to be vested in the railway
commissioners or some similar tribunal having an
equitable jurisdiction.
INSPECTION OF HOUSES.
As much attention as possible has been devoted to the inspection
of houses.
For the class of houses which more particularly require the
attention of the Sanitary Authority a constant supervision is
required.
A house may be inspected, and notices served and enforced
for its proper lime-whiting, cleansing and repairing, but from
the fact of its being occupied by a large number of people,
and especially by those whose habits are often uncleanly, it
does not long remain in a sanitary condition.
It again and again requires inspection if any effort is to be
made to keep it in a cleanly and wholesome state, until the
poorer classes become accustomed and learn to acquire those
habits of cleanliness which are necessary to health.
The Vestry are aware of the good which has resulted from
the regulations which the police authority enforce with regard
to common lodging houses.
If the poorest class of houses in our parish were submitted
to regulations made under the 85th section of the Sanitary
Act there would be a reasonable probability that these houses
would be maintained in a better condition than at present.
This clause gives the Vestry power to compel the registration
of such houses, and to draw up regulations for fixing the
number of persons who may occupy them, for keeping them
in a cleanly condition, for enforcing the provision of privy
accommodation, and other appliances and means of cleanliness,
and for cleansing and lime-whiting the premises at
stated times.
If regulations could be made that even did not go beyond
compelling the mere cleansing and repairing of the premises
at stated times, and the notification of infectious diseases
occurring as they do in these houses, under circumstances
which are so especially favourable to their extension, much
of the disease and misery of the present time could be
prevented.