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further, a workshop at the right hand side of the court over six combined
water.closets, and a wash.house at the rear on the ground floor. The
staircases and partitions are in a very defective and unsafe condition.
The only case of overcrowding found was on the first floor of No. 16,
which has a capacity of 1,000 cubic feet, and is occupied by two adults
and three children. Two.thirds of the rooms are sufficiently lighted and
ventilated, whilst one.third of them are dark and ill.ventilated.
There is no provision in any of the tenements in regard to a water
supply and a sink. There is a water supply in the wash.house, which
is only a wash.house in name, there being no proper accommodation for
the washing of clothes. There is also a further water supply from a tap
and stand pipe at the entrance to the approach.
The water.closets are combined and six in number on the right side
of the court, they are approached through the wash.house and are so
dark as to need artificial light. On my visit they were in a foul and ill.
smelling condition. The interiors of the rooms themselves were in a
condition needing cleansing.
The various rooms are approached by defective, narrow staircases
and are ill.arranged.
I am, therefore, of opinion that these houses are unfit for human
habitation on the following grounds: —
(1) The approach to the court is too constricted for the
necessary air to enter.
(2) The interiors of the houses are dilapidated and ill.arranged.
(3) There is not a proper and sufficient water supply and sink
for each tenement.
(4) The water.closets are dark and ill.ventilated.
(5) The whole of the court is so debased in structure and
arrangement as to be demoralising to the people
occupying the houses.
I advise that notices be served with the object of closing the various
houses of the court."