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70
VI.—LEGISLATION.
During the year a number of Public Acts of sanitary interest were added by
Parliament to the Statutes, a new Order was issued by the Board of Agriculture,
and several leading cases were decided by the High Courts.
London Government Act, 1899 (62 & 63 Vict., cap 74).—This Act alters areas
and creates new bodies to be called Metropolitan Boroughs, simplifying and adding
dignity to local administration. The Act comes into force in November, 1900,
when upon the new St. Pancras Borough Council will fall the duty of enforcing
the Bye-laws with respect to Slaughterhouses, Knacker's Yards, and offensive
businesses; and regulations with respect to Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops
[Section 6 (4) ]. The Registration of Dairymen will also be transferred to the
Borough Councils (sch. 2, part 1). Furthermore, the power of adopting Part 3 of
the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, which enables lodging houses for
the working classes to be provided, is given to the Borough Councils (sch. 2, part 2).
Metropolis Management Acts Amendment [Bye-laws) Act, 1899 (62 & 63 Vict.,
cap. 15).—This Act gives power to the London County Council to make Bye-laws
under Section 202 of the Metropolis Local Management Act, 1855, requiring
persons entirely constructing, reconstructing, or altering any pipe or drain to
deposit such plan, section and particulars that may be necessary before commencing
work.
Metropolis Water Act, 1899 (62 & 63 Vict., cap. 7).—This Act enables and
requires the Metropolitan Water Companies to supply one another with water in
cases of emergency. When emergency arises it is to be put in force by the Local
Government Board.
Seats for Shop Assistants Act, 1899 (62 & 63 Vict., cap. 21).—This Act is to
be put in force by the London County Council, and compels the provision of seats
for female assistants in retail shops, the seats to be in proportion of not less than
one seat for every three female assistants.
Baths and Washhouses Act, 1899 (62 & 63 Vict., cap. 29).—This Act amends
the Act of 1878. with respect to the uses which may be made of Baths provided
under the Acts of 1846 to 1896, and enables licenses to be obtained for music and
dancing in covered or open swimming baths under certain conditions.
Small Dwellings Acquisition Act, 1899 (62 & 63 Vict, cap. 44).—An Act giving
power to a Local Authority to advance money to residents in a house of moderate
value, enabling the applicant to acquire the ownership of that house, provided that
" any advance shall not exceed
" (a) Four-fifths of that which, in the opinion of the Local Authority,
is the market value of the ownership: or
" (b) Two hundred and forty pounds, or, in the case of a fee simple or
leasehold of not less than ninety-nine years unexpired at the date of the
purchase, three hundred pounds, and an advance shall not be made for
the acquisition of the ownership where, in the opinion of the Local
Authority, the market value of the house exceeds four hundred pounds."