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building in the Colony should be covered with impervious material to the satisfac- tion of the Sanitary Board, and it gave the Board power to make bye-laws in amplification of those it already had power to make under the Public Health Ordinance No. 24 of 1887 in regard to the following matters :—
(Section 13 of Ordinance No. 15 of 1894, sub-section 1.)
13.-(1.) The Sanitary Board are hereby empowered to make, vary and repeal bye-laws for or in regard to all or any of the following natters (that is to say) :-
(1.) For prescribing the material and the nature and thickness thereof to be used for covering over the ground surface of all buildings and of any cook-houses, latrines, or open surfaces connected therewith, such as back-yards, court-yards, or other spaces on which slops may be thrown or from which foul waters flow.
(2.) For fixing from time to time the number of persons who may occupy a domestic building or any part thereof and for marking on the exterior or interior of such buildings the number of persons permitted to occupy the same or any part thereof.
(3.) For prescribing the material to be used for enclosing the space to be left above any partitions in connection with section 8 of this Ordinance.
(4.) For the periodical entry and inspection of all buildings and curtilages-- (a.) For the purpose of ascertaining whether the same is in an overcrowd-
ed condition.
(b.) For the purpose of ascertaining the sanitary condition, cleanliness and good order thereof or any part thereof and of any mezzanine floors, storeys or cocklofts therein or the condition of any drains therein or in connection therewith.
(5.) (a.) For promoting cleanliness and ventilation in domestic buildings.
(b.) For the cleansing and removal of refuse and all objectionable matter
at stated times from domestic buildings.
(6.) For prescribing the conditions under which alone it shall be lawful to live in, occupy or use, or to let or sub-let, or to suffer or permit to be used for habitation or for occupation as a shop, any cellar, vault, underground room, base- ment or room any side of which abuts on or against the earth or soil.
(7.) For the prevention as far as possible or mitigation of any epidemic, endemic, or contagious disease including inter alia provisions—
(a.) For the removal of persons suffering from any such disease.
(b.) For the speedy and safe disposal of the dead.
(c.) For house-to-house visitation.
(.) For the destruction of infected bedding, clothing or other articles.
(e.) For the compulsory vacating of houses.
(f) For such other matters or things as may to the Board appear
advisable for preventing or mitigating such disease.
Bye-laws were duly made and published in the Gazette of the 3rd March, 1895, and those passed under clause vii for the prevention or mitigation of Plague (and other contagious diseases) were based upon and almost identical with the bye-laws made and used during the epidemic by the Permanent Committee.
It is under these bye-laws, with some additions made in 1897 to give the Board's officers legal power 'to take certain action which they had illegally taken in 1894 and 1896, that the Board have worked ever since.