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If this sub-section (2) were enforced, the owners of such refuse matters would probably
be glad enough to pay a reasonable sum to the Sanitary Authority for the
removal thereof, a course which I have advocated for many years as desirable in
the interests of public health.
Smoke Consumption.—Sections 23 and 24 deal with this subject, and it will be
the exclusive duty of the Sanitary Authority to enforce the provisions of section 23,
the same power of entry, &c., being given as in proceedings in relation to
nuisances. Fire-places or furnaces used for working engines by steam, or in any
factory, &c., or in any manufacturing or trade process, which do not consume their
own smoke, and any chimney (other than that of a private dwelling house) sending
forth black smoke in such quantity as to be a nuisance, are nuisances liable to be
dealt with summarily under the Act—unless the fire-place or furnace is constructed
so as to consume the smoke as far as practicable in the circumstances, and has been
carefully attended to by the stoker. Heavy fines are the penally for default or
neglect.
Workshops and Bakehouses.—The sections 25 to 27, dealing with workshops
and bakehouses, must be read with others in the several Factory Acts, including
the Act of last Session, by which, as well as by the Act under consideration, considerably
enhanced duties are thrown upon the Sanitary Authority. Thus power is
given by section 25 to require, by notice, the cleansing of workshops, a fine not
exceeding five pounds, and a continuing penalty not exceeding ten shillings a day,
being the penalties for default, after conviction. The Sanitary Authority may cleanse
and purify the workshop, and may recover the expenses incurred in a summary
manner. The section applies to certain factories also. Section 26 gives powers in
regard to bakehouses, as set out in certain sections of the Factory and Workshop
Acts of 1878 and 1883, which relate to cleanliness, ventilation, and other sanitary
conditions. The Sanitary Inspector has now the same power of entry as the
Medical Officer of Health, this power being the same as for any purpose in relation
to nuisance, and every person refusing admission to the Sanitary Authority
or their officers, being subject to a fine. Notice is required by section 27 to be
given to the factory inspector for the district if any child, young person or woman is
employed in a workshop.
Regulations as to IVater-closets, &c.—Sections 37 to 46 deal mainly with
provision, &c., of water-closet accommodation in private .houses, factories, workshops,
&c., and with "sanitary conveniences" in public places, being to a large
extent re-enactments of repealed sections of the Metropolis Management Acts. New
houses must be provided with one or more proper and sufficient water-closets, and
an ash-pit, an expression which includes a proper removable receptacle for dust,
ashes, &c. Fine for default "not exceeding twenty pounds." The Sanitary
Authority may require provision of such domestic sanitary conveniences in any house.
If their notice is not complied with, liability is incurred to a fine not exceeding
five pounds, and a further fine not exceeding forty shillings a day during default.