View report page

32
HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES ACT.
Under this useful Act, it will be seen from the previous tables
a number of houses have been placed under its influence, the
houses that were dealt with were those that were unfit for human
habitation and which could be treated more effectually under
this Act than under the Public Health Act; the proceedings were
taken under Section 30 which provides as follows:—
" It shall be the duty of the Medical Officer of Health
" of every district to represent to the Local Authority of
" that district any dwelling house which appears to him to
" be in a state so dangerous or injurious to health as to be
" unfit for human habitation."
There are also ample powers under this Act of dealing with
small insanitary areas, and I much regret that this has not been
taken advantage of up to the present with the area known as
Lomas Buildings, in my last year's Report, referring to this area
I stated: " I have brought this 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." In February this year these buildings were surveyed by
the Sanitary Committee, and it was resolved " That it be referred
to the Surveyor to make the necessary enquiries to report and
submit estimate of cost of dealing with Lomas Buildings " under
Part II. of the above Act. In April the Surveyor reported that
he and the Medical Officer of Health had considered as to the
best means of dealing with these buildings and had come to the
conclusion that it would be best to acquire the property pure
and simple, and gave details as to cost. It was resolved that
I should confer with the Medical Officer of the Council upon
the subject, I did so and reported to the Committee in May, the
result was that a conference was held with the Housing Committee
of the Council who subsequently visited the premises with
our Sanitary Committee and agreed that it was desirable to
demolish the buildings. On the 25th October a letter was sent
to the Council stating that if the Council would make an adequate
contribution towards the cost, the Committee would recommend
the Vestry to deal with this area as suggested. On the 14th
November a reply was received stating if plans and estimates
were submitted they would consider the matter. The Surveyor
has now submitted the necessary plans. I have dealt with this
matter at some length in order to acquaint the Vestry the
exact position we are now in as regards this area and also the
difficulty in carrying a small scheme like this into execution, I
can dnly hope that before next year this filthy area may be
cleared as in its present condition it is demoralizing to the surrounding
inhabitants. I may add that these buildings have been
a source of trouble to us for years, every house has been dealt
with under the Public Health and other Acts but owing to their
structural position and surroundings they constitute an insanitary
area and onght to be dealt with as a whole under this Act.