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149
the "keeper" is equally liable with the "lodger" for the offence
of overcrowding, and as I pointed out in the ninth report for
1896 (August 13th, page 111), it would be well if a bye-law
were made requiring him, under penalty, to report to the sanitary
authority any case of overcrowding coming to his knowledge.
On consideration of the report, your Vestry decided
to apply to the Local Government Board for sanction to a
bye-law requiring the keeper of a registered house to report
overcrowding, as follows :—
" If any lodger in a registered house cause or suffer any room under his control
to be occupied by a greater number of persons than is allowed by
this bye-law, it shall be the duty of the keeper of the registered house,
upon his becoming aware of the fact, to notify such fact to the medical
officer."
In the sixth report for 1897 (25th June, page 79), a
further suggestion for a new bye-law was made by me with a
view to enforce the provision and maintenance at the furnished
" rooms in registered houses, of bedding which should
be clean and wholesome, and free from noxious insects. The
matter was referred to the sanitary committee, who (on 6th
October), recommended, and it was resolved—
" That the Vestry do approve of a draft bye-law in the following terms, and
that the same be submitted to the Local Government Board for their
approval, viz. :—
" The landlord or keeper of a registered house in which rooms are let
in furnished lodgings, shall cause the bedding and other articles in
such rooms to be at all times maintained in a clean and wholesome
condition and free from noxious insects.''
The Local Government Board's views on the subject of
these proposed new bye-laws have not yet been received, and
the bye-laws adopted in 1885 are still in force. They are to
the following effect (No. 1 dealing with the subject of registration
of houses:)—