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the nuisance cannot be found, and it is clear that the
nuisance does not arise from default of the owner, then
the nuisance authority may itself abate the same without
further order. I have heard complaints that the
Law is not sufficiently stringent, and that fresh powers
are requisite. I cannot, except as regards water-supply
and apparatus, agree with this view of the matter, and
am persuaded, that with this exception, the powers are
ample if the Nuisance and Sewer authorities will carry
them out with sufficient energy, and the Magistrates
enforce them as they should do. I have rarely failed
for want of power under the Nuisances Removal Acts,
and the other Acts, but have occasionally from some
error in the notices or summonses.
The next section, the 22nd, is also one of considerable
importance, and if properly used, affords a powerful
means for checking the spread of infectious and contagious
diseases. The course which has been adopted,
is to have a list of premises requiring disinfection inserted
in a certificate to the Board or Sanitary Committee,
and then to have notices served on the owners,
requiring them to disinfect the premises, and to whitewash
or lime-white the ceilings, walls of the rooms,
staircase, and passages. They are required to perform
the disinfection within 48 hours, and to cleanse and
whitewash the premises immediately after the recovery
of the sick. We have served 100 notices of this kind
during the first three months of this year, of which
only 23 remained to be carried out on the 1st of April.