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and of the Surveyor's Reports, to the owner of any house unfavourably
reported on by them; and appoint a time and place for
the consideration thereof. At the time so appointed, the Vestry
are required to hear and duly consider the objections, if any,
urged by the interested parties, and pass formal resolutions.
Afterwards, certain plans and specifications are to be prepared, and
the Vestry is required to make an order that such works, as they
consider necessary, are to be done; which the owner may either
obey, or may appeal against to the Quarter Sessions. In certain
circumstances, the Yestry may do the work themselves, and recover
the cost of the same, by means of a charging order upon the
premises.
It will thus be seen that, under the Nuisances Removal Acts, we
can get structural repairs executed by means of the threat of
closing the premises under a Magistrate's order, until the necessary
works are carried out; but the Magistrate's order is only in
general terms, and does not specify exactly what shall be done, so
long as the owner makes the premises safe and habitable. Now,
I do not consider, that I am in every instance competent to advise,
as to what works should be carried out for the purpose of putting
unhealthy houses into thorough Sanitary order; I am a Medical
Officer of Health, and not a Surveyor; and, though it is my duty
to point out evil conditions, I do not profess to understand building
and construction.
Under Torrens' Act, a regular Surveyor's specification must be
drawn up, and the work is required to be executed, in the manner
laid down, and not according to the fancy of the owner, who
usually considers a little whitewash, and cheap wallpaper, allsufficient.
Unfortunately, however, Torrens' Act is cumbersome,
tedious, and difficult to administer; moreover, its working, (after the
first report is made by the Health Officer), is usually thrown upon
the Surveyor, whose hands are already full, and no special provision
is made to remunerate him for the extra work.
Whilst the matter was under discussion by the Sanitary
Committee, I strongly expressed myself in favour of Torrens'
Act. My opinion was, however, overruled, and it was decided to