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32
and quality of the officer's work. It likewise serves to enlist
the sympathies of many outside the ranks of the Council,
who are concerned in the amelioration of social conditions.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACT, 1875.
INSPECTION OF DISTRICT AND REMOVAL OF
NUISANCES.
The general inspection of the District continues to be
carried out periodically, and all complaints investigated, such
nuisances as are discovered being dealt with under the
provisions of the Health Acts and Bye-laws in force relating
to them.
The course of serving a preliminary notice upon the
person in default, specifying the works necessary to abate the
nuisance, has been followed. Should such person, however,
fail to comply with this preliminary notice, the matter is
brought before the Council and the usual statutory notice is
served, which is followed up if necessary by legal proceedings.
The policy of serving an intimation notice is a good one,
inasmuch as an owner will often readily fall into line and
comply with it with a better grace than if the subject matter
of the notice were brought before the Council in the first
instance, and realising that the Inspector wishes the abatement
of the nuisance with as little friction as possible, he will often
listen to and carry out suggestions for improvements such as
cannot be legally enforced. There is always a tendency to
resent compulsion, and therefore, any method which will
secure the maximum standard of work with a minimum
of friction, is obviously the proper one to pursue.
When nuisances are caused by tenants and are not of a
structural character, very often verbal intimation is all that is
necessary to be given for their abatement.
In only one instance has it been necessary to advise the
Council to institute Police Court proceedings to secure
compliance with a notice to abate a nuisance.
The following table shows the number and nature of the
nuisances dealt with during the year:—