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be, I feel sure, an incalculable blessing, not only to the
poor, but also to the rich.
“The first step in any proceeding under the Act
belongs to the Medical Officer of any District Board
or Vestry, or, in the Metropolis, to a special Medical
Officer or Officers, the appointment of whom is authorised
by this Act for the exclusive purpose of carrying
it into effect. The Medical Officer, whenever he
sees cause, may make an official representation to the
local authority, stating that the houses, courts, and
alleys within a certain area are unfit for human habitation,
or that the population within a certain area is
stricken with disease, which is attributable to the
closeness and bad arrangement of the houses within it,
or to the want of light, air, and proper conveniences.
He will, if necessary, state that these evils cannot be
remedied except by an improvement scheme. The
Local Authority is to consider these statements, and,
if they are found to be well grounded, is to pass an
affirmatory resolution, and proceed to prepare an improvement
scheme.” “If the Medical Officer is
slack in the performance of his duty, he may be set in
motion by private persons. If either two Justices of the
Peace, or twelve ratepayers of the district, complain to
him that a certain area is an unhealthy area, it is his
duty forthwith to inspect it, and make an official representation
stating whether, in his opinion, the area in
question is unhealthy or not unhealthy for the purposes
of the Act. If, after the twelve ratepayers have made