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4
The localities in which I have made sanitary inspections during the
quarter having been reported in my weekly minutes, need not be again
enumerated, especially as there was but one point of general importance,
viz : the question as to whether or not you would allow dust.contractors
and others to deposit refuse in pits from which gravel had been dug. I
think your decision to prosecute parties who shall bring refuse into the
district, or allow deposits on their ground will be attended with good
results ; and I feel assured that it cannot be too widely known that
individuals will not be allowed to deal with their property in such a
manner, as to cause injury to the public health. For although individual
liberty has long been the boast of England, yet there is a point beyond
which it cannot be tolerated with safety; and private good should
always be made to give way to the public welfare. Indeed, the working
of the Metropolis Local Management Act may often be characterised
as a war of the community against individuals for the common good.
A return which has just been made to the House of Commons in
accordance with a resolution of the House, will place this in a striking
light. The return embraced the following particulars—
"1.—The number of houses in respect of which your Medical Officer of
"Health has recommended the issue of orders for sanitary improve.
"ment since January 1st. 1856.
"2.—The number of houses in respect of which orders for sanitary im.
"provements have been issued since January 1st. 1856. by the
"Board of Works for Hackney District.
" 3.—The number of houses in which the sanitary improvements thus
"ordered have been afterwards certified by the Officer of the Hack.
"ney Board to have been satisfactorily executed.
"4. The number of other nuisances injurious to health similarly
certified to have been remedied."