BUMBLE BROUGHT TO BOOK.
["Mr. Ritchie ... has taken the unusual step of preparing a memorandum explanatory of ... the Public Health (London) Act, which comes into operation on the 1st of January ... The Vestries and District Councils ... have come out with increased powers, but also with increased responsibilities. They are in future known as 'the sanitary authorities'; they must make bye-laws, and enforce not only their own, but those made by the County Council; and, if they fail in their duty—as, for example, in the matter of removing house-refuse, or keeping the streets clean—they are liable to a fine. It is pleasant to think that, in future, any ratepayer may bring Mr. Bumble to book."—The Times.]
Bumble. Wot, more dooties piled upon me? It's a beastly black shame and a bore.
Which Ritchie beats Oliver Twist in a canter at "asking for more."
Didn't grasp his dashed Hact, not at fust, though of course I opposed it like fun;
But this 'ere Memyrandum's a startler. I want to know what's to be done.
Me keep the streets clean, me go poking my dalicot nose into 'oles