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compensation is to be given to the extent only of the value of the
land and of the materials of the buildings thereon. Very important
provisions these! Section 16 deals with power of arbitrator,
in regard to assessment of compensation, questions of costs, etc. ;
and 17 with power of local authority to enter and value premises.
Section 18 enables the local authority to compensate a tenant for
less than a year, on account of his expenses in removing, if they
require him to give up poseession of a building, or part of a
building, purchased in pursuance of a scheme under the Dwellings
Acts, 1875 to 1885, or Part I. of this Act, if the building is not
closed by a closing order. Part III., to be construed as one with
the Labouring Classes Lodging Houses Acts, 1851 to 1885,
makes provision for amendment as to bye-laws, but is not of
sanitary interest; and the same remark applies to the
General Provisions in Part IV. To sum up, I think
it may be said that the passing of the Bill would be a matter
of satisfaction to any local authority desirous of discharging fairly
and reasonably the provisions of existing sanitary law." It is to
be regretted, however, that no provision has been introduced to
enable the sanitary authority to abate overcrowding of houses
without the cumbrous and tedious proceedings already described
(page 126). Possibly such powers may be included in the intended
Public Health, London (Consolidation) Bill, which, however,
at the present writing, has not been introduced. It was
a satisfactory feature in the debate that the difficulties of sanitary
authorities, resulting from complexity of the law, and excessive
expense in carrying it out, were frankly acknowledged—a fact
which may fairly be set against the unfavourable judgments too
often unthinkingly, or ignorantly, passed upon these bodies, on
the assumption that they wilfully neglect to carry out the
duties they are elected to discharge. It has only to be added
that the Bills, which were received with favour on both sides
of the House, were read a second time without opposition from
any quarter, and were referred to the Standing Committee on
Law, with an instruction to consolidate the two into one.*]
* The Law and Parliamentary Committee having considered these Bills,
reported that, "so far as the Metropolis is concerned the Amendment Bill
generally, seeks to give too wide powers to the London County Council, and does