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91
Dwellings Unfit for Habitation.
Referring to the Closing Order made by the Council in January,
1911, in regard to No. 83, Palmerston Road, which had been confirmed
by the Local Government Board, the Council were asked by the owner
to rescind the Order, but upon an inspection of the premises being made
it was found that no further works had been carried out, and the Council
consequently refused to determine the Order. Against this refusal the
owner appealed to the Local Government Board, and, again, the Board,
after holding a public enquiry upheld the decision of the Council. The
owner thereupon obtained a Rule Nisi calling on the Local Government
Board to show cause why a Writ of Certoriari should not issue to
remove into the High Court Orders of the Local Government Board in
regard to the Closing Order and the appeals of Mr. Arlidge. The
matter came before the Divisional Court on the 17th and 18th December
The Local Government Board were represented by the Solicitor General,
Sir John Simon, K.C., and Mr. Branson; whilst Mr. S. G. Turner
showed cause on behalf of the Hampstead Borough Council. Mr. Arlidge
was represented by Mr. MacMorran, K.C., and Mr. Brooke Little. The
Appellant's contention was that the Board was not competent to determine
the appeal without he and his witnesses having had the opportunity of
being heard personally by whoever actually determined the appeal.
After listening to the arguments, the Court discharged the Rule.
Mr. Arlidge, however, not being satisfied with this decision, has taken
the matter to the Court of Appeal, where it is now awaiting hearing.
Rag Flock.
The Rag Flock Act came into operation on the 1st July, 1912. It
imposes upon all Sanitary Authorities the need of enforcing its provisions
within their district, and for that purpose the Council is empowered to
appoint their Medical Officer of Health and Sanitary Inspectors for the
purpose of inspecting premises and taking samples of Rag Flock for
analysis, and unless the flock is found to conform to such standard of
cleanliness as the Local Government Board prescribes by regulation, the
person who sells or uses or has in his possession flock in contravention
of the Act is liable to a fine of £10 for the first offence, and of £50 for
the second and subsequent offences.
The Local Government Board, in pursuance of the Act, lost no
time in making the regulations which came into operation upon the same