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195
of their agenda, so that the several Inspectors might be set free
at a reasonable hour to go about their ordinary work. Sanitary
cases rarely occupy much of the time of the Court, but on
many occasions all of the Inspectors have been detained till 1
or 2 p.m., waiting for their cases to be called on. As a rule
the Justices meet once a month only. A fortnightly meeting
for the hearing of sanitary cases would be very useful." The
Justices subsequently arranged to meet weekly for the purpose
of dealing with sanitary cases, but our cases are still placed at
the bottom of the list. The duties of the Justices in this branch
of judicial work have increased considerably, other Local Sanitary
Authorities having to some extent followed the example of
your Yestry in bringing their cases before the court. It is probable
that more or less of this work will be transferred to
Hammersmith Police-court, now that, at last, it has been made a
whole-day court.
THE WORK OF THE SANITARY INSPECTORS.
Tables VI. and VIa (Appendix) contain a summary of the
work of the Sanitary Inspectors during the year ending March
25th, 1888. Fifty-one * summonses were taken out for
offences under the Nuisances Removal Acts, against 98, 89, 80,
and 99 in the four preceding years. Orders were made by the
Justices in every instance, for giving effect to Notices previously
served on the defendant persons; upon whom, as the law at
present stands, no penalty can be inflicted, however serious or
long-continued the nuisances for which they are responsible.
Under the provisions of Section 96 of the Public Health Act,
1875, which does not apply to the Metropolis, the Justices have
power by their Order to inflict a penalty, not exceeding five
pounds, on the person upou whom the Order is made, together
* This number is irrespective of 26 summonses under the Sale of Food
and Drugs Act, 10 in cases of obstruction, and 7 in cases of disobedience of
Justices' Orders,