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habitation, to report the same to the vestry or
district board. This report is to be referred to a
surveyor or engineer who is in turn to report on the
cause of the evil, and the remedy, and whether the
evil can be remedied by structural alterations, or
whether the premises ought to be demolished.
The Act provides for the consideration of all
such reports by the vestry or district board, for
opportunity being given to the owner to state his
objections to them, and for the execution of the
necessary works either by the owner or by the vestry
or district board, and if needful for the demolition
of the building. Attention should be directed to
section 5 of the Act of 1879, under which the vestry
or district board may in certain circumstances be
required to purchase the premises.
Section 8 of the Act of 1882 further provides that
although a building is not in itself unfit for human
habitation, yet the Medical Officer of Health is to
report upon it if he finds that it is an "obstructive
building" as defined by the section, i.e., that it
is so situate that by reason of its proximity to
other buildings, or its contact with them, it stops
ventilation or otherwise conduces to make the other
buildings to be in a condition unfit for human
habitation, or else prevents proper measures from
being carried into effect for remedying the evils
complained of in respect of other buildings. The
proceedings to be taken in connection with a report