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classes. The bye-laws at present in existence are in
need of revision.
Section 17 amends the procedure for closing
orders and demolition orders.
Sub-Section 2 provides that “if on the representation
of the Medical Officer of Health, or of any
other officer of the Authority, or other information
given, any dwelling house appears to them to be in
such a state it shall be their duty to make an order
prohibiting the use of the dwelling house for human
habitation (in this Act referred to as a closing order)
until in the judgment of the Local Authority the
dwelling house is rendered fit for that purpose.”
Under the Housing Acts and Public Health Act,
1875, only a Court of Summary Jurisdiction could
make a closing order.
The increased powers placed in the hands of the
Local Authority is a recognition by Parliament that
the Local Authority which authorised the application
for a closing order was as competent to judge of the
advisability of this course as a Magistrate, who