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The only efficient remedy for these defects is to make it obligatory for
plans of the inhabited quarters to be approved by the Local Port Sanitary
Authority ; and to ensure uniformity on the point, model instructions should
be issued by that Department of the Government responsible for the hygiene
of the country.
LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL (GENERAL POWERS) ACT, 1904.
The London County Council introduced a General Powers Bill into Parliament
last year to acquire powers with respect to sanitary and other like
matters, and to confer various powers upon the London County Council and
upon the Councils of Metropolitan Boroughs, and for other purposes. The
Bill, as drawn up, made no mention of the Port of London Sanitary Authority,
and it was ambiguous whether powers asked for could be applied at all, and
if so, whether they should be applied by the Port Sanitary Authority or the
Borough Councils within whose area the Docks were situated.
The Bill was opposed by the Surrey Commercial Dock Company; and as a
result of negotiations between Mr. Remembrancer and the London County
Council, the provisions of the Bill as affecting those parts of the jurisdiction
-of the Port Sanitary Authority as are situated within the Administrative
County of London were, before the Bill became law, made applicable to the
Corporation of the City of London as the Port of London Sanitary Authority,
who alone can exercise the powers granted under this Act, within such parts
of their district as previously defined.
The Act received the Royal Assent during the year, and the following
Sections apply to the Port Sanitary Authority as above stated.
Section 19.—For the cleansing, purification or destruction of filthy, dangerous
and unwholesome articles, with a view to the prevention of infectious
disease, and as to the payment of compensation to the owner for any article
so destroyed.
Section 20.—Cleansing of houses infested with vermin, and the penalties
incurred by persons failing to comply with the notice under this Section.
So far as the Port Sanitary Authority is concerned, the term " house," of
course, includes vessels.
Section 21.—With regard to the provision of means for cleansing and
purifying filthy, dangerous and unwholesome articles, and houses infested
with vermin.
Section 22.—With reference to sanitary conveniences, when placed or
constructed as to be a nuisance or offensive to public decency, the Sanitary
Authority may, by notice in writing, require the owner to remove such
convenience, or otherwise reconstruct the same in such a manner and with
such materials as may be required to abate the nuisances and remove the
offence against public decency.