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92
In previous reports I have referred to the great importance
of systematic house to house inspection with a view of ascertaining
any nuisances which exist requiring the intervention of the
Local Authority for abatement. Under the provisions of the
Public Health Act, 1875, it is incumbent upon the Sanitary
Authority to see that periodical inspections are made with this
object, but it had always been doubtful if the Local Authority
or its officer had the power of entry unless satisfactory reason
could be shown that a nuisance existed, although it must be
admitted one seldom experienced any difficulty in obtaining
admission to premises. The Housing, Town Planning, etc. Act,
1909, makes it obligatory on the part of the Local Authority to
cause from time to time inspection to be made of the inhabited
houses in their district to ascertain whether such inhabited
houses are in such a condition as to render them unfit for
human habitation, for which purpose it shall be the duty of
the Local Authority and of every Officer of the Local Authority
to comply with such Regulations and to keep such records as
may be prescribed by the Local Government Board. Under
all previous legislation a Court of Summary Jurisdiction
decided upon the evidence placed before it by the Local
Authority through its Health Officers on the one side, and
the owners of the property in question on the other,
when a house was in such a state to be dangerous or
injurious to health, as to render it unfit for human habitation,
but a Closing Order is now obtainable without application to the
Court; the Local Authority having power to make Closing
Orders upon houses when, in their judgment, the insanitary
condition of such houses warrants it. The owner may, if
dissatisfied with the Local Authority's decision, appeal to the
Local Government Board.
In considering the number of house to house visitations, it
will be seen that it was only possible to visit 929 of the
26,000 houses in the Borough. It will be noticed at a glance
that with the same Inspectorial Staff, and providing no
additional houses are built, it will take over 26 years to inspect
the whole of the premises in the district. In reviewing this