Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green]
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35
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
(NUISANCES REMOVAL ACTS).
Number
of Summonses
issued.
Summonses
withdrawn upon
completion of
work.
Summonses
heard and orders
made.
District No. 1.
(Mr. Weston).
105
74
31
District No. 2.
(Mr. Lapworth).
327
172
155
Total
432
246
186
By order of the Sanitary Committee 432 summonses were taken
but under the Nuisances Removal Acts during the year, and many
Afternoons have been spent (I had almost written wasted) by your
officers in Worship Street Police Court. Two hundred and fortysix
of the summonses were withdrawn, as the necessary work was
Completed and the nuisance abated before the day fixed for the
hearing; 186 cases were heard and adjudicated upon by the
sitting Magistrate, who, in every instance, made an order for the
Work to be completed within a fixed period and gave costs against
he defendant. Your Medical Officer and one of the Inspectors
gave evidence in each of these cases, many of which were adjourned
once and sometimes even twice owing to pressure of business at
he Court.
Now that the London County Council has relieved the Justices
of much of their work, perhaps some of these gentlemen may feel
aclined to sit in Petty Sessions at the vestry Halls of the various
arishes to hear and adjudicate upon sanitary and other similar
cases. By this method of procedure the time of hard-worked
officers would be economised and the congestion of the Metropolitan
police Courts materially relieved.
I have the honour to be,
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant,
GEORGE PADDOCK BATE.