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42
As regards the removal of nuisances in houses, it was
found necessary in several eases, in consequence of the extent
of the dilapidations, to give notice for the shutting up of the
premises under the Nuisances Removal Acts, in the event of
the requisite works not being carried out. The owners of the
following premises preferred shutting up or pulling down the
houses to repairing them, viz.:—two cottages at High Hill
Ferry, know as Saxon Nook and Alfred Hut; Nos. 38, 40, 42,
44, 46 and 48, Duncan Street, which were half pulled down;
Nos. 1 and 2, Lawrence's Cottages, Sanford Lane; Nos. 1, 1a,
2, 3, 5 and 6, Wellington Street; 6 houses in Johns Place
Well Street; and Nos. 157, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171,
173, 183 and 185, High Street, Homerton. In addition to
these, I gave notice under the Artisans and Labourers Dwellings
Acts, 1868, that three houses in High Street, Homerton, were
in such a condition as to be unfit for human habitation. This
report was referred to the Surveyor, who made his report to the
Board, shewing how the premises might be made fit for human
habitation. Part of the work had been done before the
Surveyor reported, and the rest was speedily carried out in two
houses after the Board had made the necessary order, and the
other was closed. By the Housing of the Working Classes Act,
passed on August 14th, 1885, it is enacted by section 4,—
" That the owner of any premises who is required by an order
" of a local authority made under the Artisans and Labourers
" Dwellings Act, 1868, to execute any works or to demolish any
" premises, shall cease to have the power to require the local
" authority to purchase such premises." This section repeats
ss. 3 and 4, of the 42nd and 43rd Vict., cap. 64, and leaves the
Board in relation to the various Artisans Dwellings Acts, in the
same position as before the passing of the last-named Act.
These Acts are, in my opinion, to a certain extent, a premium
to owners who allow their houses to become uninhabitable, and
was therefore, not adopted by me for closing the other houses
above-mentioned.