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5
The total number of houses examined was 2,932, containing
17,269 rooms. The inhabitants numbered 20,576 of whom 15,102
were classed as adults (over 10 years of age), and 5,470 as children
(under 10 years). The number of families was 3,805. These were
located as follows:—701 rooms were let out as single rooms either in the
occupation of one person or small family; 1,612 families occupied two
rooms; 1,627 families occupied three rooms; 865 families occupied
four rooms ; and 687 houses were occupied by one family.
The refusals to admit the Inspectors were few, and were under one
per cent.
Rents.—The rents paid for single rooms were found to vary from
2s. to 4s. 6d., according to size, situation, and neighbourhood, the
general average of recorded rents being 3s. 6d.
For sets of two rooms from 4s. 6d. to 12s. 6d., the average being
6s. 6d.
For three rooms 5s. to 12s., the average being 8s. 6d.
For sets of four rooms from 8s. to 15s., the average being 10s. 6d.
Empty Rooms, ok Rooms to Let.—244 rooms to be let were found,
14 empty or odd rooms not to be let. The price demanded for empty
rooms averaged 3s. 3d. per room.
Overcrowding.—In estimating the amount of what I may term to be
illegal overcrowding or conditions under which your authority would
be advised to take summary proceedings, I must take as a guide the
Bye-laws of your Council applicable to houses let in lodgings, which
provide for at least 400 cubic feet for every adult, and 200 for each
child under ten years of age to occupy, at any one time, as a sleeping
apartment, a room not exclusively used for that purpose; and 300
cubic feet for each adult, and 150 cubic feet for each person under 10
years of age, a room used exclusively as a sleeping room.
The actual number of cases where these conditions were not found
to comply with this minimum air space was 24.