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170
I added that the extended definition of nuisances liable to
be dealt with summarily under the Act, includes not merely, in
general terms, " any premises in such a state as to be
injurious or dangerous to health but specifically also, any
cistern, water-closet, drain, or ash-pit, "so foul or in such a state
as to be injurious or dangerous to health." It was
obvious therefor, from the. terms of your Vestry's notice, that
"W. B. E.'s " house was in such a state—a state dangerous,
though not necessarily injurious to health, and it follows as a
necessary consequence, that every house in which similar defects
exist, comes within the definition of a "nuisance."
The opinion I had expressed as to the meaning of Section
I of the Act, was subsequently confirmed by your Vestry's Law
and Parliamentary Committee ; and so far as practicable, with
the help of the two new Inspectors, an effort will be made to
comply with the requirements of the law as above set out.
COMMITTEE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
NUISANCES REMOVAL ACT.
With the view of accelerating proceedings in nuisance
cases, your Vestry, in February, 1885, appointed the Works,
Sanitary, and General Purposes Committee, to be a Committee
to " receive notices, take proceedings, and in all respects
execute the Nuisances Removal Act for England, 1855, and all
Amending Acts." The Committee met thenceforward for the
purposes of the Acts once a week, and notices were issued
upon the immediate authority of the Committee, who in due
course reported their proceedings to your Vestry. Summonses
were heard at the Petty Sessions, held at the Town Hall, where
during a considerable portion of every year the Justices sat
once a week for the purpose. In the course of 1891, however,
the Justices received a communication from the Home Secretary
tu the effect that a question had been raised whether they had
jurisdiction to deal with such cases, and thereupon they declined