Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington]
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of the Sanitary Authority to observe and enforce such bye-laws, as well as those
which they themselves must make, under the same section, with respect to the
water supply of water-closets. The Sanitary Authority, moreover, must "make
bye-laws for securing the cleanliness and freedom from pollution of tanks, cisterns,
and other receptacles used for storing water used or likely to be used by man for
drinking or domestic purposes, or for manufacturing drink for the use of man"
(section 50). The Sanitary Authority may make regulations for the management of
public lavatories, and other public sanitary conveniences (section 45), and for the
removal of certain infectious persons (section 66 (3) ); they must make bye-laws as
to houses let in lodgings (section 94*), and may make bye-laws for promoting cleanliness,
&c., in vans, &c., used for human habitation (section 95), and with respect
to the management of the public mortuary (section 88), and they may make regulations
for the management of the place for post-mortem examinations.
Confirmation of Bye-laws.—The first bye-laws to be made under the Act by
the County Council or the Sanitary Authority, must be sent to the Local Government
Board for confirmation by the end of June, 1892 (section 142 (3)) ; those made
by the County Council which will have to be observed and enforced by the Sanitary
Authority, must be sent to that Authority by the end of April, and the Council
must consider any representations made in relation thereto by that Authority. All
bye-laws must be made subject to and according to the provisions contained in
sections 182—186 of the Public Health Act, 1875, which are set forth in the First
Schedule (section 114).
Offensive Trades: Slaughter-houses.—Section 19 re-enacts the provisions of
the Slaughter-houses (Metropolis) Act, 1874. The only "offensive" business
carried on in this parish, other than that of a slaughterer of cattle, is that of a fat
melter (at Tobin Street). The County Council have made bye-laws with reference
to these trades, but there is nothing in the section to indicate the Authority who are
to observe and enforce the said bye-laws, for breaches of which fines may be imposed—
unless section 20 (7) confers such powers, as respects Slaughter-houses, on the SanitaryAuthority—a
point which ought to be settled.
Licensing.—Section 20 relates to the licensing of cowhouses and slaughterhouses,
and authorises the Sanitary Authority to enter any slaughter-house at any
hour by day, or when the business is in progress, to ascertain whether there is any
contravention of the Act or of any bye-law; but no express authority is conferred to
observe and enforce the bye-laws.
Dairies.—Section 28 re-enacts provisions respecting Orders made by the
Local Government Board, and registration of dairymen and inspection of premises,
cattle, &c. Fines may be imposed for offences against Orders. Express power of
entry is given to the County Council for the purpose of enforcing Orders and byelaws
made thereunder.
*This section does not apply to Common Lodging Houses, nor does it introduce any new
legislation. Provision might well have been made to ensure uniformity, in such bye-laws, throughout
the Metropolis, but probably the Local Government Board will be enabled to secure this
desideratum by the exercise of their powers with regard to confirmation.