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19
They also say that, as the meaning of the words describing
unhealthy houses is identical in both Acts, it cannot matter to me
whether I swear before a Magistrate that certain premises are
unfit for habitation and should bo closed, or write a report under
Torrens's Act to the same effect; but to my mind the two things
are somewhat different. The Nuisances Removal Act contemplates
a present condition of nuisance such as renders the premises
utterly uninhabitable, but, under Torrens's Act, other conditions
may bo and commonly are taken into consideration. Here the
unfitness for human habitation may be caused by defective light,
damp walls, etc., which it might be difficult to prove had caused
actual injury to health, though the danger to the same is obvious.
These considerations are to a great extent put on one side by
the "Housing of the Working Classes Act," which has just
become law. It abrogates much that is cumbersome under the old
Act, and proceedings are simplified; but to my mind the new Act
abolishes much that is good, for instance, tho reference to the
Surveyor and his roport and specification of work to be done, in
order to put tho unhealthy premises into habitable condition, are
swept completely away. There will not even bo any obligation
on the owner to submit a specification for acceptance before the
repairs are oommenced. This omission will undoubtedly promote
the patching up, instead of tho substantial reconstruction of
dilapidated property, and will in many instances simply perpetuate
the existing evils; moreover, premises which would have been
reported by a Surveyor as incapable of repair, and fit only for
demolition, may bo patched up and put in such a condition that
the closing order must be determined and re-occupation permitted,
though there can bo no manner of doubt that tho repair's will be
only of temporary avail, and that the premises, aftor a few months'
occupation, will revert to their previous condition of dilapidation.
The following is a list of premises closed under tho Nuisances
Removal Act during tho past year. It includes a total of nearly
one hundred houses.