View report page

20
The last section to which I shall refer, is the 53rd,
which authorises the Nuisance Authority to issue a
notice for the removal of manure or other refuse matter
from mews, stables, and other premises, at such intervals
as they may see fit, under a penalty of twenty
shillings a day. In this district, notices have been
served requiring its removal at least twice a week, but
at present no prosecutions have been instituted for
enforcing penalties.
The brief resume I have made of this most important
Act, shows the tendency which exists in the government
of this country to subordinate private rights to
public convenience. It can no longer be endured that
a person shall spread disease and death amongst the
population, and especially the poor, by neglecting to
provide the most ordinary requirements of civilised life.
But it must also be remembered, that a large proportion
of the poorest inhabitants of all large cities, are so
careless in their habits, to use no harsher term, that
nothing but improved education, as well as constant
sanitary supervision, can make the homes of the poor
fit and proper habitations for bringing up a healthy
population. The great end of all legislation, has been
to improve the health of the population at large, and
this fact must not be lost sight of in carrying out the
various Sanitary Acts. I mean, that I do not consider
it my duty to interfere with mere nuisances, but that
there must be some evidence to show that the nuisances
complained of are injurious to health. This has always