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36
(iv) S. 56—
(a) By owners 1
(b) By local authority in default of owners 0
(v) S. 75—
(a) By owners 13
(b) By local authority in default of owners 8
(c) By occupier 8
(vi) S. 93—Nuisances abated 35
(vii) Nuisances abated and/or other work carried out by
owners on receipt of informal notice 1,904
SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS
It was necessary to apply to the Courts for Abatement Orders in
respect of four properties. In the case of three, an order was granted;
in the other, the work was completed before the date of the Hearing.
During August a quantity of diseased meat was seized at a butcher's
shop and laid before the Magistrates who ordered it to be condemned
and destroyed. Action under S. 9 of the Food and Drugs Act was taken
later. Action under the same section was taken because of glass found
in a milk bottle. Fines totalling £26 were imposed. One case was taken
under S. 7 of the Factory Act, 1937, because the occupier of a factory
failed to maintain the sanitary accommodation in a proper state.
HOUSING
Repair of Houses.
As labour and materials are now easier than before, more houses
are being dealt with under S. 9 of the Housing Act rather than by the
nuisance section of the Public Health Act. The powers of S. 9 though
can be invoked only if the house is considered to be capable of being
made fit for human habitation at a reasonable cost. The reasonableness
of an expenditure is determined by the returns from that expenditure.
If the rents are small and if they are controlled, then the landlord cannot
see any immediate prospect of his obtaining a return on a heavy
expenditure on his property. In these circumstances it is becoming not
uncommon for owners to suggest, rather than that they should spend the
money on doing the work which is required, the Council should acquire
the house from them and carry out the repairs. If the Council does not
do so, then housing units are lost which otherwise might have been
retained for a number of years. In the meantime, while negotiations are
proceeding, the occupants of the houses are living under conditions
prejudicial to their health.
During 1952 84 informal notices were served under S. 9 of the
Housing Act. In most of these cases, the work was carried out. In 38
instances, however, a statutory notice had to be served. Where work is
still not carried out, the authority has power under S. 10 of the Housing