View report page

152
all Amending Acts." The Committee meet for the purposes
of the Acts once a week, and Notices are issued upon the
immediate authority of the Committee, who in due course
report their proceedings to your "Vestry. Summonses continue
to be heard by the Justices, in Petty Sessions, at the Town
Hall, who now sit weekly for the transaction of sanitary
business.
THE WORK OF THE SANITARY INSPECTORS.
Tables VI. and VIa. (Appendix) contain a summary of
the work of the Sanitary Inspectors during the year ended
March 25th, 1890. One hundred and forty-two summonses
were taken out for offences under the Nuisances Removal, and
Sanitary Acts, against 99, 51 and 115 in the three preceding
years. This number is irrespective of 42 summonses under the
Sale of Food and Drugs Act, and 10 in cases of obstruction.
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
could be imposed, however serious or long-continued the
nuisances for which they were 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 impose a penalty, not exceeding five pounds, on the person
upon whom the Order is made, together with all costs. The
same power should be conferred upon Courts of Summary
Jurisdiction in London. Provision was made for enabling the
Justices to impose a penalty, in the Public Health (Metropolis)
Bill, 1885, but there was not time to pass the measure, which
hitherto has not been re-introduced; but during the current
Session some such measure, it is hoped, will be introduced. At
present the Justices can punish for contempt of Court only, viz.,
by a penalty not exceeding ten shillings per diem, during continuance
of disobedience to their Order. If the Justices had
power to inflict a penalty for offences under the Nuisances