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30
Reading. Under the old Act the owner of a house unfit for
human habitation was warned and ordered to put them into repair
and fit for living in. Now, when a local body decides that the
houses are uninhabitable, it can apply, without warning the houseowner,
for a closing order, and, satisfactory evidence of their condition
being forthcoming, the magistrates are bound to make the
order. The new law is giving slum owners considerable uneasiness.
Golden Meadow Cottages are now pulled down. These
premises were voluntarily closed 4 years ago, but as no closing
order was applied for, it was impossible to obtain a demolition order.