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The chief clause in the Act is the following:—
"On and after the passing of this Act any local authority shall
have the power, when in their discretion they shall see fit, to
permit any person who shall apply to the said authority, on the
ground that he is infested with vermin, to have the use, free of
charge, of the apparatus (if any) which the authority possess for
cleansing the person and his clothing from vermin. The use of
such apparatus shall not be considered to be parochial relief or
charitable allowance to the person using the same, or to the
parent of such person, and no such person or parent shall by
reason thereof be deprived of any right or privilege or be subject
to any disqualification or disability.
"Local authorities may expend any reasonable sum on buildings,
appliances, and attendants that may be required for the carrying
out of this Act, and any expenses for these purposes may be
defrayed out of any rate or fund applicable by the authority for
general sanitary purposes or for the relief of the poor."
The Bill, however, places no compulsion on local authorities
to carry out this Act. It simply gives them the option of
doing so.
The Public Health Committee had this Act placed before
them by the Vestry for consideration, and passed the following
resolution on it:—
"That the proper officers give effect to the provisions of
the act, in the event of any application being made."
Act to Amend the Law respecting Metropolitan Water
Companies.
Another Act passed by Parliament and dated August 6th,
1897, is an Act to amend the Law respecting the Metropolitan
Water Companies.
The following sections are of interest to local authorities—
Section I. states (Sub-sections 1 & 2):—
(1) Any water consumer or any local authority may complain
to the Railway and Canal Commission that any of the metropolitan
water companies has failed to perform some statutory duty of the
company, and the Commission may hear and determine that
complaint, and if satisfied of such failure order the company
within the time limited by the order to fulfil the duty, and may,
if they think fit, by any such order, impose any penalty for such
failure which can be imposed under any Act, and enforce any
such order in like manner as any other order of the Commission.
(2) If at any time complaint as to the quantity or quality of
the water supplied by any of the metropolitan water companies
for domestic use is made to the Railway and Canal Commission,