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Most returned with queries regarding either War Damage, licences,
permits and not infrequently with requests for the names of builders
who might be prepared to carry out the work.
It is not possible to give details, but the additional time and energy
involved in dealing with these points was considerable, and, unfortunately
these difficulties and queries were not confined to housing matters
alone, but to a greater or lesser degree involved every phase of the work
of the Inspectorate.
It is felt that of all the sections of the report that dealing
with overcrowding is the most distressing. The misery and mental
anguish suffered by those unfortunate enough to be living under crowded
conditions is appreciated by all, but only to those whose duty it is to
visit is the real tragedy revealed. One often feels the position of many
of these families is hopeless, in that the likelihood of the family unit
being broken up by discord arising from the conditions far outweighs
the chances of a reasonable home being established. To reflect upon
these cases and the solution, namely, the rapid provision of more and yet
more housing units, in no way helps; on the contrary, it brings to mind
the families still occupying properties which by reason of dampness and
other sanitary defects, were prior to the war officially recognised as being
unfit for human habitation.
As may be realised from the foregoing, this report will contain little
that makes pleasing or satisfying reading, but this cannot be otherwise,
for little real progress is possible when the order of the day is allied to
strict economy and shortage of essential materials.
Statistical Summary.
PART I.
Inspections Made and Conditions Found.