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thus became converted into a workshop. Information of the same was given
to the District Surveyor, and, on a subsequent visit, the Inspector ascertained
that the building was taken down. This is not tho only case of converting
a back yard into a workshop which has come under the notice of the
Inspectors.
Without the utmost possible vigilance on the part of the Inspectors
similar occupations of the very small open spaces at the backs of houses
would be carried on to a great extent.
Duties of Medical Officers of Health as regards Unhealthy
Dwellings.
It is the duty of the Medical Officers of Health to bring under the notice
of their Local Boards all such houses as are unfit for habitation, so that
the Local Board may adopt such proceedings in each case as their legal
adviser may recommend.
The Artizans and Labourers Dwellings Act is not a permissive A.ct
as regards the duty of the Medical Officer of Health in reporting to the Local
Board all such houses as are unfit for habitation, but it makes it imperative
upon such Officer to do so; the word shall being used in the Act; and if the
Medical Officer of Health shall fail in his duty in not reporting to the Local
Board such houses which are unfit for habitation, then any four householders
living in or near to any street in which there are any houses which,
in their opinion, are unfit for habitation, can direst the attention of the
Mcdical Officer of Health thereto, who, upon receiving information in writing
signed by them, must make a report to the Local Board upon the condition
of the houses complained of. It is of no use in the public saying, as is
frequently the case, that half the houses in London occupied by the poorer
classes should be demolished, when no one is willing to specify, in the form
required by the Act, the particular houses which are unfit for habitation.
Compensation for Property.
When property which is unfit for habitation is either ordered by a
Magistrate to be closed until the same is rendered fit for that purpose, or a
similar property is ordered to he demolished under tho provisions of the
Artizans and Labourers Dwellings Act, no compensation can be given to the
owner. But there may be property respecting which a difference of opinion
may exist as regards its unfitness for habitation. Under such circumstances,
it might be desirable, by statutory enactment, to empower local boards to give
a moderate compensation to the owners of such property, in preference to the
incurring of expense in adopting legal proceedings to compel the owner to
demolish it.
Open Spaces.
The subject of open spaces is now engaging the attention of the public,
and no one can reasonably doubt the propriety, not only of providing them
for the purpose of health, but of setting them apart as recreation grounds for