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42
not be able to be visited as frequently as one could wish and at
the same time keep up the regular work of our department. I
am at the present time having our last year's list revised as outworkers
of the class in our district are constantly moving from
one part to another.
HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES
ACT.
Under section 30 of the above Act I have made sixty-four
representations to the Sanitary Committee of houses that were
found to be in my opinion unfit for human habitation, the
Sanitary Committee having had the power delegated to them
by the Vestry to take all proceedings under this Act, with the
exception of those requiring the Seal of the Vestry, so that it is only
through this Report that the Vestry is made aware of the proceedings
that are taken from time to time. It will be seen by
the Table annexed we have been obliged to apply for Closing
Orders on a number of houses that were not rendered fit for
habitation. In dealing with houses under this Act we find that
we are able to get the work done more thoroughly than by any
other means as the provisions are very stringent, no half
measures are of any avail, the owners must either make the
premises fit for human habitation or else have them closed.
I have not thought it necessary to report any area under the
Act as an insanitary one during the past year. I hoped that
before this something would be done with the Knott Street
area, to which I have called attention in past Reports, but as it
appeared that the Vestry would probably have to pay all the
cost of this improvement the matter has been deferred. I think
if the worst part of the area referred to, viz.: Lomas Buildings
were dealt with, we should get rid of one of the worst blots we
have in the Hamlet. I have brought the matter repeatedly
before the Sanitary Committee and at the present time details
are in course of preparation with a view of a scheme being submitted
to the Vestry. I may say with reference to these
buildings that all the houses have been dealt with either under
the Public Health Act or the Housing of the Working Classes
Act repeatedly, and yet in spite of this owing to their situation,
their structural condition, their surroundings, and the habits of
the tenants, this area is still in an insanitary condition, which in
my opinion there is only one course to deal effectually with it
and that is demolition of the present buildings.