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vacated , the magistrate being also authorised to impose a
penalty up to £20 as well as make the order, and the local
authority being given the power to sue an owner for the expense
incurred by an occupier in removing after the closing
order has been made; and, if not satisfied with the state of
things, the local authority may make an order for demolition
which must he obeyed within three months. An appeal
against this order will lie to the Quarter Sessions." The Act
also enables local authorities to purchase buildings which
may be deemed obstructive to other premises in the locality
by stopping ventilation or otherwise, and formulates schemes
for re-construction, settlement of compensation, defraying of
expenses, Ac. °
In November last, the Housing of the Working Classes
Committee of the London County Council convened a Conference
between themselves and representatives of Metropolitan
Vestries and District Boards of Works, in order to discuss the
bearings of some of the provisions of the Act and the methods
of procedure to be followed under it; Mr. Baxter, Mr. Kinnell,
the Medical Officer and Clerk being deputed to attend 011
behalf of the Board. The Conference was held at the County
Hall, Spring Gardens,on the. 5th December, Earl Compton taking
the chair, and after a prolonged discussion, resolutions were
passed expressing an opinion that it was desirable that a common
understanding should be arrived at between the Council and the
local authorities as to the conditions or defects which render
a house dangerous or injurious to health, and requesting the
Medical Officer of the Council to convene a meeting of Medical
Officers of Health of the Metropolis to consider the matter
and report. A meeting of Medical Officers was held accordingly,
and resulted in a report being drawn up and submitted
to the adjourned meeting of the Conference which was held on
the 23rd January, 1891. Another long discussion ensued but
no practical result was arrived at, and ultimately a motion to
proceed to the next business was carried.
In February, however, in response to a memorial from the
representatives of 25 metropolitan Vestries and District Boards,
the Paddington Vestry convened a Conference in continuation of
the one above referred to, this Board re-appointing the same
delegates as were appointed on the former occasion to atton on
its behalf. The Conference assembled at the Vestry Hall,
Paddington Green, on the 20th February, Mr. W. H. Mills,
Deputy-Chairman of the Vestry, taking the Chair. The
question of the conditions or defects which cause a louse to be
unfit for human habitation within the meaning of the Act was
further discussed, and referred to a special commitee: who, at
an adjourned meeting of the Conference, held on the 13th
March, reported as follows:—