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14
PROSECUTIONS UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH
(LONDON) ACT.
The proportion of summonses to the Council's orders issued
continues to be very small.
The owner of No. 12, North wick Terrace, was summoned
for non-compliance with Sanitary Notices, but the work having
been completed before hearing the summons was withdrawn.
The occupier of a room in Capland Street kept it in so
filthy a state, that other occupants of the house alleged the room
was a nuisance, and that they suffered considerable annoyance.
The Inspector was refused admittance and ultimately a Magistrate's
order to enter was obtained. The occupier, before the
order was executed, turned to and did a " spring cleaning," hence
the nuisance was for the time indirectly abated.
No. 13, King's Place, was ordered to be re-drained. The
occupier failed to comply with the notices. A Magistrate's Order
was therefore obtained ; this order was not complied with ; summonses
were again taken out for closing the premises which
ultimately were vacated.
119, Church Street, was found to be badly drained. The
responsible person, a builder, was unable through poverty to
execute the work, a summons was ultimately taken out and a
Magistrate's Order obtained. The Order not being complied with,
a summons was served for non-compliance and a fine inflicted.
The fine not being paid the defendant went to prison for a short
time. A third summons was then taken out to close the premises
and a closing order obtained. The premises were not,
however, closed, because the drainage works were in part executed.
At the present moment, however, the ground landlord
has stepped in and evicted the defendant.
The case of 24, Townshend Cottages, was another curious
case. The property is in Chancery and the tenants apparently
have paid no rent for at least a twelve-month; they have also
done no repairs or spent any money in respect of the premises,
save to pay the rates by each subscribing a portion. The property
has naturally fallen into an insanitary condition and a
closing order was applied for and granted.
The kitchens of 48, Linhope Street, were occupied illegally
and after a long delay proceedings had to be taken. Before the
hearing, however, the original notice was obeyed.
Three first-class building firms were summoned for neglecting
to deposit plans of drainage ; in two cases fines were inflicted,
the third case was dismissed. The owners of 26-28, St. Anne's
Terrace, were summoned for not executing drainage works; on
receipt of the summons the work was pushed forward and completed.