Page:Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management.djvu/2206

1996 health (but not otherwise), the local authority, after twenty-four hours' notice to the occupier, or on emergency without notice, may enter and examine such drain, etc., and for that purpose may break open the ground. If on examination the drain, etc., is found to be in proper condition, the local authority must make good what they have done and pay the cost of the examination. But if the drain, etc., appears to be in bad condition, or to require alteration or amendment, they may require the owner or occupier within a specified time to do the necessary work, and if the notice be not complied with, the person to whom it is given will be liable to a fine of 10s. for every day he continues in default, and the local authority may, if they think fit, do the work and recover the expenses from the owner.

Removal of refuse.—Local authorities may, and when required by order of the Local Government Board must, themselves undertake the removal of house refuse and the cleansing of closets, ashpits and cesspools. If, having undertaken to do so, they fail, without reasonable excuse, to remove any refuse or cleanse any closet, etc., for seven days after notice in writing from the occupier, they will be liable to pay him a fine of 5s. for every day during which such default continues.

Where the local authority have undertaken the removal of house refuse, they may, after complying with certain formalities, make bye-laws imposing on the occupier duties in connexion with such removal so as to facilitate the work which the authority have undertaken.

Where they do not undertake such work they may make bye-laws imposing on the occupier the duty of such cleansing or removal, at such periods as they think fit.

STAMPING OF DOCUMENTS

 Form of Stamp required.—Except where provision is made to the contrary, stamp duty is payable by impressed stamps only; and in cases where the duty is permitted to be paid by adhesive stamps, the document will not be deemed to be duly stamped unless the person who first executed it cancelled the stamp by writing across it his name or initials together with the true date of his so doing, or otherwise effectively rendered it incapable of being used again, or unless it be otherwise proved that the stamp appearing on the instrument was affixed to the document at the proper time. Every person who, being required to cancel an adhesive stamp, neglects to do so, is liable to a fine of £10. Where an impressed stamp is required, the stamping can only be done on application at Somerset House (Strand), or in the provinces, at a local stamp office.

Stamping of documents after execution.—Certain documents cannot be stamped after execution, but others may be. Of those which may be stamped after execution, some can be stamped without a penalty if done within a specified time, but in other cases a penalty is payable.

An unstamped or improperly stamped document cannot be used as evidence in any court of law; and if actually tendered as evidence it will not be received unless and until the unpaid duty and £10 penalty, together with a further fee of £1 payable to the officer of the Court, has first been paid.

Spoilt or unused stamps.—An allowance may be obtained on application to the Commissioners, addressed to Somerset House, in respect to spoilt stamps or those which have been bought but are not required; provided that the application be made within two years after the execution of the document to which they were affixed or the time at which they were bought, as the case may be.

Agreement or any memorandum of agreement under hand only and not