Unlike the medical officer of health, who by Act of Parliament is required to hold a diploma of competency,[4] it is open to anyone to apply for and obtain the appointment of a town surveyor. This is no doubt unfortunate, as some test of merit is desirable, and of late years the necessity of some examination as to competency has been much discussed. In order to meet this requirement, the Sanitary Institute of Great Britain has instituted examinations and granted certificates of competency for both town surveyors and inspectors of nuisances. The following particulars of these examinations, and the reasons given for their necessity, may be of interest, and are given in full.[5] _Examination of Local Surveyors and Inspectors of Nuisances._ The great and increasing importance of the duties devolving upon local surveyors and inspectors of nuisances in connection with the various statutes relating to Public Health and the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, has led the council of the Institute to establish voluntary examinations for local surveyors and inspectors of nuisances, and for persons desirous of becoming such, or of obtaining the certificate of the Institute. Each examination occupies a portion of two days. On the first day the examination of surveyors is continued for four hours, viz. from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. and consists of written papers only. Inspectors of nuisances have two hours’ written examination on the first day, viz. from 4 to 6 P.M. On the second day the examination for both classes commences at 11 A.M., and is _vivâ voce_; with one or more questions to be answered in writing if deemed necessary. A certificate of competence signed by the examiners is granted to successful candidates. As rural sanitary authorities are able under the Public Health Act 1875 to obtain almost all the powers of urban sanitary authorities, it is not considered advisable to make any distinction in the examination of the two classes of surveyors. As one person may, under the Public Health Act 1875, be both local surveyor and inspector of nuisances, candidates wishing to obtain the double qualification may enter for both examinations on the same occasion. Candidates are required to furnish to the council of the Institute satisfactory testimonials as to personal character, and to give two weeks’ notice to the secretary previous to presenting themselves for examination, stating whether they wish to be examined as surveyors or inspectors of nuisances, or as both. The fee for the examination must be paid to the secretary, by post-office order or otherwise, at least six days before the the day of examination. On receipt of the fee a ticket will be forwarded admitting to the examination. The fees payable for the examination are as follows:-- For Surveyors £5 5 0 For Inspectors of Nuisances 2 2 0 Unsuccessful candidates are allowed to present themselves a second time for one fee.