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generally they should do so is certain to be disappointed. Indeed, the condition of these
places in that district emphasises the necessity for the interference of the Vestry. No
doubt in many instances closets so supplied with water were found to be dirty and
offensive, but not infrequently the pan had corroded by use antecedent to the date of this
provision, and again, much of the apparatus is of a fragile character, readily becoming
out of order. In regard to the latter point the Vestry can only proceed in respect of
each watercloset when thus defective, but the diameter of the discharge pipe of the water
supply apparatus, important in its relation to the usefulness of the apparatus, can be
controlled by the Water Companies under regulations approved by the Board of Trade.
The Sanitary Authorities are empowered equally with the Water Companies to enforce
such regulations, the absence of the prescribed fittings constituting a nuisance within the
meaning of the Nuisance Removal Acts.
There are, however, in Rotherhithe many houses requiring structural improvement
for which the legal powers hitherto mentioned are inadequate. For these, the Artizans'
and Labourers' Dwellings Act, 1868, provides a remedy when the premises are injurious
to health so as to be unfit for human habitation.
Whether such condition arises, as in Rotherhithe, from dilapidations, from dampness
due to the ground floor being below the level of the street pavement, or other cause, or
from deficient ventilation of staircase or dwelling rooms, section 6 of this Act appears to
be applicable. This section provides that "Every report made under this Act by the
"Officer of Health shall be made in writing and delivered to the Clerk of the local authority,
"and the local authority shall refer such report to a surveyor or engineer, who shall
"thereupon consider the report so furnished to him and report to the local authority
"what is the cause of the evil so reported on and the remedy thereof, and if such evil is
"occasioned by defects in any premises, whether the same can be remedied by structural
"alterations and improvements or otherwise, or whether such premises, or any, and what
"part thereof ought to be demolished."
The Vestry are required under this Act to make an order for the improvement or
demolition of the premises reported on by the Health Officer.
Hitherto the powers conferred by this Act have not been exercised in Rotherhithe.
Further, under the Metropolis Management and Building Act (Amendment Act),
1882, the Metropolitan Board of Works (London County Council) possess the opportunity
of controlling the condition of dilapidated houses. Section 17 of this Act provides:—
"Where a building or structure is ruinous, or so far dilapidated as thereby to have
"become and to be unfit for use or occupation, or is from neglect or otherwise in a
"structural condition prejudicial to the property in or the inhabitants of the neighbourhood,
"the Board (Metropolitan Board of Works) may make complaint thereof to a Justice of the
"Peace, who shall thereupon issue a summons requiring the owner and occupier of such
"building or structure, hereinafter referred to as a ' neglected structure,' to appear at a
"time and place to be stated in the summons, to answer such complaint, and if at the
"time and place appointed in such summons the said complaint is proved to the satisfaction
"of the Justice before whom the same is heard, such Justice may, if he sees good cause,
"order the owner, or on his default the occupier, to take down or repair or rebuild the
"neglected structure or any part thereof, or to fence in the ground upon which the same
"stands or any part thereof, or otherwise to put the same or any part thereof into a state
"of repair and good condition, to the satisfaction of the Board, within a reasonable time
"to be fixed by the order, and may also make an order for the cost incurred up to the
"time of hearing."
"If the Order is not obeyed the Board may with all convenient speed enter upon the
"neglected structure or such ground, as aforesaid, and execute the order."
The exercise of the powers conferred by the Nuisance Removal Act, would enable
the Vestry to enforce the much needed improvement of the paving of yards at the rear
of houses, and the 100th section of the Metropolis Local Management Act of 1855 gives