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enables them to "make bye-laws with respect to the management, &c., of the
same," and to provide for interment at charges to be fixed by such bye-laws.
Section 89 re-enacts repealed provisions of the Sanitary Act, 1866, with reference
to the compulsory removal of infectious or decomposing dead bodies to the
mortuary, &c. Section 90 refers to the place for post-mortem examination which,
like the mortuary, has been provided in this parish. Section 91 enables contiguous
sanitary authorities to provide mortuaries and places for post-mortem examination in
common, or to contract with one another for the joint use of such buildings provided
by either of them. Section 92 requires the County Council to provide and
maintain Coroners' Courts: they may, by agreement with the Sanitary Authority,
provide a court in connection with the mortuary, or within any building belonging
to the said Authority, as may be agreed on between them. (But see sec. 105 (c),
73). Section 93 enables the Council to provide and fit up one or two morgues
for preservation of dead bodies pending identification.
Tents and Vans.—Section 95 adds to the list of nuisances liable to be dealt
with summarily, any tent, van, or shed, used for human habitation, which is in
such a state as to be injurious or dangerous to health, or is overcrowded. The
Sanitary Authority may make bye-laws for various purposes, including cleanliness,
and for preventing the spread of infectious disease by van-dwellers. Power of
entry by day is given to the Sanitary Inspector to a van suspected to be in an insanitary
state, or to contain any person suffering from a dangerous infectious
disease.
Underground Rooms.—Section 96 materially modifies the provisions of section
103 of the Metropolis Management Act. The under-ground room ("cellar" is not
mentioned) which was not let or occupied separately before January 1st, 1892, must
have three feet (no longer one foot only) of its height above the surface of the street,
unless the width of the area is not less than the height of the room from the floor to
the surface of the street; in no case, however, must the height above the street
level be less than one toot, but the width of the area, which must be not less than
four feet, need not in any case be more than six feet. The area and the soil below
the room must be effectually drained. The walls of the room must have a proper
damp course, and must be secured against dampness if in contact with the soil.
The room must be ventilated and must have a hollow floor: the space underneath it
must be ventilated to the outer air ; and any drain underneath it must be constructed
of a gas-tight pipe. The window or windows must have a total area, clear of the
sash frames, equal to at least one-tenth of the floor-area of the room: one half at
least of each window must be made to open, and the opening must extend to the
top of the window. The penalty for disobedience is a fine not exceeding twenty
shillings for every day during which the room continues to be let or occupied. The
foregoing (and some other minor) provisions are, after six months, to extend to
underground rooms let or occupied separately as dwellings before the passing of the
Act, except that the Sanitary Authority, by general regulations providing for classes
of underground rooms, or on the application of the owner in any particular case,
may dispense with or modify any of the requisites which involve the structural