View report page

9
Nuisances caused by the accumulations of dung and other offensive
matter, and from stopped privies, are very numerous. These are not recorded
in the Looks of the Inspectors, unless official notices are served.
In addition to this return, the Inspectors report that they have forwarded
to the police authorities several notices of dangerous structures, and
have also given intimation to them of all the rooms which they have found,
on a house-to-house visitation, or on private information, to be occupied by
more than one family. The Act requires that all rooms, so let, must be
registered under the Common Lodging House Act.
On comparing the above return with that of the previous Quarters, it
will be seen that the sanitary work performed is, as might have been expected,
considerably less. This is accounted for by the staff of Inspectors
having been reduced from four to two. So far as the duties of the two
Inspectors have been performed, I have much pleasure in stating that I am
perfectly satisfied with the zeal and ability displayed by them.
ABTIZANS' AND LABOURERS' DWELLINGS ACT,
31 & 32 Vict. c. 130.
Since the date of my last Report, the above-mentioned important Act
has come into operation, which, if judiciously carried out by the several
Local Boards, may lead to great improvements being effected in the dwellings
of the poorer classes.
The 5th clause of this Act renders it compulsory on the Medical
Officer of Health to report, in writing, to the local authority, any premises,
within his District, that are in a condition or state dangerous to health, so
as to be unfit for human habitation; and, upon that report, the local
authority shall refer the question to a surveyor or engineer, who shall consider
the report furnished to him, and report his opinion thereon to the
local authority. Upon the receipt of the surveyor's* or engineer's report, the
local authority shall cause copies of both the reports to be given to the
owner of the premises complained of, with notice of the time and place,
appointed by the local authority, for the consideration thereof, &o.
In order that the Medical Officer of Health shall not neglect his duty in
making reports upon the unhealthy condition of places within his District, it is
provided by the 12th clause of this Act, that whenever any four householders,
living in or near to any street by writing under their hands represent to
the Officer of Health that in or near that street any premises are in a condition
or state dangerous to health, so as to be unfit for human habitation,
he shall forthwith inspect the premises, and report thereon; but the
absence of such representation shall not excuse him from inspecting any
premises and reporting thereon.
The consideration of the provisions of this Act, in relation to the
pulling down of unhealthy dwellings, ought to compel serious attention to
the necessity of preventing, by legislative enactment, the erection of
dwellings, which shall not contain, in every respect, the requisites essential
to the health of the tenants who may occupy them. As a new Building
Act may probably be passed in the ensuing session of Parliament, it is of
importance that the sanitary provisions thereof should be well considered;
for it is manifestly absurd to pull down unhealthy houses in one locality,
and permit houses equally defective in their sanitary arrangements, to be
erected elsewhere,
• In the Ttli clause the words are surveyor and engineer.