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Saint Matthew, Bethnal Green.
REPORT
Made by the Medical Officer of Health of the Parish of St. Matthew,
Bethnal Green, in the County of Middlesex, pursuant to the provisions of
the "Artizans' and Labourers' Dwellings Act, 1868," and the Acts amending
the same, as to premises in a condition dangerous to health, so as to be unfit
for human habitation.
To the Vestry of Saint Matthew, Bethnal Green, in the
County of Middlesex :—
Gentlemen,
In compliance with instructions contained in a communication
from the Local Government Board, I have carefully
examined the worst portions of the district under my charge, with a
view to make a representation under the Artizans' and Labourers'
Dwellings Acts.
The first of these Acts was passed in 1868—it is generally known as
Torrens's Act—and it requires the Medical Officer of Health to report
to his Vestry such houses as he considers, from defective construction,
dilapidation, or malposition to be unfit for human habitation. The
Vestry is to refer this Report to a Surveyor, who in turn presents his
Report upon what works are necessary to be done in order to make
the houses habitable; or, if this be impossible, he advises demolition.
The Vestry may now require the owners to do such works as may
make the houses habitable, or pull them down.
If the owner neglects to do this, the Vestry may close the premises
and do the work themselves, obtaining an order from the Court of
Quarter Sessions to make the cost of the work a charge on the
premises.