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Hampstead.—There are now 840 houses registered. These houses are regularly inspected, and
orders made for cleansing when necessary.
St. Pancras.—148 houses are registered.
Islington.—An inspector has been especially employed in the inspection of houses let in lodgings.
74 such houses were registered during 1896, making a total of 458 on the register. During the year
the inspector made 4,592 inspections, 1,593 calls, and had 1,309 improvements effected. "His visits
have been for the most part gladly received by the tenants, who, as a rule, have assisted him in his
efforts, especially when they came to understand that his object was to improve their surroundings."
Hackney.—During the year 470 notices were issued, requiring landlords to furnish information,
of which 380 were returned. Of the latter it was necessary to make further inquiries in 380 cases.
The medical officer of health anticipated 500 houses would be registered and under periodical inspection
during the year 1896.
St. Giles.—The number of houses on the register wss 523, 51 additional houses being registered
during the year. Proceedings were taken in three instances.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields.—The inspector appointed permanently to inspect these houses has
regularly carried out this duty.
Strand.—Since the by-laws came into operation in 1894 the Board has resolved to register 77
houses. Of these five have since been closed. " The houses are inspected at least once a week with
satisfactory results."
Holborn.—There were 35 houses registered. " The board made an order that all were to be
inspected and reported upon every month. Although this order was not strictly carried out, a great
many sanitary improvements were effected." Twelve of these houses have been since closed. " Threefourths
of the population live in tenements."
Clerkenwell.—The medical officer of health states that by-laws were drafted which met the
requirements of the Local Government Board. These have been since confirmed.
St. Luke.—The medical officer reports that 16 houses have been registered, and writes, " The
above are the only houses at present on the vestry's register, although a very large number exist in
the parish which the by-laws were intended to include, and which, in my opinion, should be registered."
City.—The by-laws made by the Commissioners of Sewers were confirmed in May, 1896.
Shoreditch.—During the year 16 notices to supply information were served. The medical officer
of health writes, " Where a house is registered under the by-laws the vestry are empowered to proceed
directly for penalty without the serving of sanitary notices; and this is advantageous in dealing with
insanitary conditions arising from want of attention to cleanliness and overcrowding."
Bethnal-green.—The medical officer of health states that " So far not a single house has been
placed upon this register, and therefore we have not had a chance to ascertain whether these by-laws
are workable or not. Personally, I think they are." Referring to some houses in Fuller-street, he
advised the sanitary committee to recommend the vestry to register the four worst. " Very unwillingly
the sanitary committee agreed to do this; but on the discussion of the report at the full board so much
opposition was manifested that it was agreed to refer the matter for re-consideration. At the next
meeting of the committee it was decided to proceed no further with the proposal to register the houses,
but to deal with the Fuller-street premises under the Public Health Act." He gives account of
subsequent proceedings in the police court, which were especially protracted owing to frequent
adjournments, and says that he was obliged to attend the Worship-street police court some seven times,
" for we are compelled to be in a position to prove the nuisance by medical evidence on each occasion,"
and adds, " at any rate the time of your medical officer of health can be more profitably employed than
in attendance at the police court to prove that a choked closet is a dangerous nuisance."
Whitechapel.—The medical officer of health reports, " Already most of the ' furnished rooms'
have been placed on the register, and I hope during the current year to be able to proceed with this
special work."
St. George-in-the-East.—It was found that of 28 houses previously registered under regulations
only 17 could be registered under the by-laws, which exempt from registration unfurnished tenements
having rents of 5s. and above. The medical officer of health states that the subject of registering
houses let in lodgings was considered on receipt of a letter from the London County Council, and
he expresses the opinion that " to carry out an extension to any very large degree of the operations of
the by-laws for houses let in lodgings would not apparently be productive of the beneficial results
commensurate with the expense of an increased staff. However, a moderate increase of the number
already registered might be made gradually, and if carefully selected would be to the interest of the
inhabitants."
Limehouse.— Referring to communications from the London County Council, the medical officer
of health writes, " From these communications it appeared that registration was not progressing so
quickly in some districts as the Council would like. In your district, however, a number of houses
have been so registered, and others are being added from time to time. I am of opinion that we are
proceeding in this matter with due regard to the public health and the extent of our inspectorial staff."
Mile-end Old-town.—The medical officer of health states that comparatively few houses in this
district require to be registered, that the general provisions of the Public Health Act suffice, and that
owing to frequent change of ownership of houses, registration would lead to delay of proceedings.
St. George, Southwark.—The number of houses registered is 228 and the vestry hasappointed a female
inspector to secure the better carrying out of by-laws. The medical officer of health states that "in
this parish houses built on the so-called model or block system and accommodating 12,800 inmates,
at present escape the statutory provisions of the new by-laws. These dwellings, often inhabited by
the uneducated and unruly poor, are for the most part badly supervised." He recommends an amendment
of the Public Health Act to make these buildings subject to the by-laws.