4. 407 add much to the comments made upon the report in the minutes written by the Director of Public Works, the Principal Civil Medical Officer and myself.
The principal Sections of the Ordinance which the Commissioners attack are those dealing with open spaces in rear of existing houses, and with cubicles.
5. In connection with the former I may say at once that I believe the original intention of the Government was that modification under Sub-section 4 should go the length of total exemption, and that I propose to amend the Law in that behalf. Such powers of exemption may, I am advised, be exercised, if exercised with caution, without prejudice to the Public Health.
The question of compensation under this Section was fully considered when the Bill that became Ordinance No. 1 of 1903 was under consideration, and I cannot see any valid reason for re-opening that question.
6. As regards cubicles, I regret to have to state that the enforcement of the provisions of the Law limiting these structures in houses that existed at the date of passing Ordinance No. 1 of 1903, has proved a failure.