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Mr. Humphreys stated that the money was paid upon an
order of that Court, dated 3rd January, 1902, the amount being
the costs allowed the appellant. That Court stated a case for the
opinion of the Divisional Court, and their Lordships in the Higher
Court ordered the appeal to be allowed, the order of Quarter
Sessions set aside, and remitted the case to that Court for lehearing.
The Chairman (Mr. George Cave) said that the Council was
clearly entitled to the money.
This decision of the High Court will undoubtedly be of great
service to local authorities in similar cases, as it decides the important
points that schools are houses, and the scholars inmates
of them.
Factory
and Workshop
Act,
1901.
This Act, which came into force on January 1st, 1902, was
for one of its principle functions the consolidation of previous
Acts, which were very complicated and confusing.
Early in the year a circular was issued from the Home Office
to local authorities explaining these new powers and duties imposed
on them. The principal points in that circular are as
follows:—
FACTORIES.
In the case of factories the duties of District Councils are
few, the most important of which is, seeing that every factory in
which more than 40 persons are employed, is provided with sufficient
means of escape in case of fire. If the construction of the
building is after January 1st, 1892, it must be furnished with a
certificate from the District Council in whose district it is situated
that sufficient means of escape are provided. In all other cases in
which more than 40 persons are employed it is the District
Council's duty to ascertain whether such means are provided, and,
if not, to take steps to enforce such provisions.
Power is also given to make bye-laws requiring the provision
of means of escape from fire in the case of any factory (subject
to confirmation by the Local Government Board), and under these,
factories where less than 40 persons are employed can be dealt
with.
In districts where Part III of the Public Health Acts Amendment
Act, 1890, has been adopted, which is the case in