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The total number of deaths occurring in the area for 1895 amounted
to 103; while the deaths for the whole district of St. George's amounted to
1,237.
The population of the area mentioned in the memorial you have
referred to me, represents 1-15th of that of the whole of the sub-district.
The deaths from diarrhoea numbered 14, against 93 for St. George's as a
whole.
One death from enteric fever, and three from diphtheria were
credited to this area.
Under the above circumstances I think it will be difficult to say that
the area in question is specially remarkable for its high death rate, or that
it calls loudly for demolition I should strongly suggest (1) that as many
as possible of the houses should be placed under the Regulations for Houses
let in Lodgings, and these by-laws rigidly carried out; (2) that a routine
inspection of all the houses be made twice a year, so that there may be no
long continuance of defects.
As regards the overcrowding, this is a far more difficult question.
In the first place reliable information is seldom to be obtained as to the
exact number, and when we have obtained it the overcrowding is perhaps
temporarily abated by shifting some of the children who are taken back
subsequently.
Secondly, some of those families who are overcrowded are not in a
position to pay more than a certain sum, and it would seem a mockery to
prosecute them for committing an offence they are powerless to avoid.
FRANCIS STEVENS, Medical Officer.
April, 1896.
In October the report was considered by the Committee,
and after a survey it was resolved to appoint a small Sub-Committee
to thoroughly go into the whole subject. The
opinion of that Committee seemed rather to incline to the view
that the area in question was really an insanitary one, and
that in order to produce any good results it would have to be
dealt with in a far more drastic manner than that which I
recommended in my report. They were, however, most impressed
by the state of Beckett Street, and I was consequently
asked to furnish a report on that street alone, and of this I
accordingly append a copy:—
Gentlemen, —In accordance with the instructions of the Committee,
I have made a personal inspection of all the houses in Beckett Street,
directing my attention especially to defects of building, and as to the
sufficiency or otherwise of the light and ventilation that they can receive.
The width of the street, which runs pretty nearly in a straight line from
east to west, is about 17 feet, and by far the greater number of houses abut
directly on it. The block, however, from 20a-26, which comprises fourteen
houses, is set back to an extent of 11 feet; 27, 28, 29, 30, 32 and 33, stand