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26
Sanitary Legislation.
During the last Session many Bills were brought
before the Legislature which had more or less important
bearings in relation to the public health, and to powers
exercised by local authorities. I may remark that
some of them have yet to be discussed, and are worthy
of mature consideration.
The Metropolis Water Bill after much alteration,
passed both Houses, and has become law; so also has
the Vaccination Amendment Act ; the Factory and
Workshops Regulation Amendment Act, and an Act
which transfers to the Local Government Office, the
functions of the Poor Law and Medical Department of
the Privy Council. But there will be others of greater
importance again brought forward next Session affecting
the Metropolis and the Country at large. The
Metropolis Buildings Management Act, is one intended
to amend the Building Acts, and for regulating the for-
mation of streets, sewers, and drains in the Metropolis, it
has already been before the Parliamentary Committee.
A group of Bills, such as the prevention of Railway
Accidents ; the Regulation of Mines Bill; the Storage
of Petroleum ; the Fires Bill, to make provision for
inquiry into the origin and circumstances of Fires ; the
Coroners Bill ; Contagious Diseases Prevention Bill;
the Bill to amend the Act for the Adulteration of Food
and Drink, and extend its provisions to Drugs—all
these stand over for reconsideration.
The public health and safety are much endangered
from want of a competent authority and local inspection
over the storing and removal of explosive substances,