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from the inspectors, I thought might require action being taken
under the Artizans' and Labourers' Dwellings Acts. I found a
good, deal of structural work requisite to he done, as since my last
inspection many had become deteriorated by age, wear, and tear.
As a result of the inspection, nearly 80 houses were improved
either as regards the ventilation or otherwise in their structure.
26 houses were pulled down, 10 without a summons, and 16 in
consequence of a magistrate's order to close them until thoroughly
repaired, and 1 house shut up and will not be opened again. I
shall have to visit others in 1890, in which the process of
dilapidation was slowly but surely proceeding. The number
of houses removed, during the last 10 years, and new ones of a
better class built, has been very large, but as most are occupied
by a similar class of persons to those ejected, their destruction did
not necessarily lead to overcrowding in the rest of the district
Indeed, there are so many houses unlet that the overcrowding
here is, except in a few instances, not of a glaring character.
The District Surveyors of the London County Council when
they last reported stated that there are not any underground
dwellings in this district within the meaning of the Metropolis
Local Management Act. As there have been many dwellings
for artizans chiefly of the better class, erected in the district during
the last 10 years, I append a list which will probably afford
information to most members of the Board on this subject. I
have divided them into block buildings, which are those usually
termed artizans' dwellings, and dwellings in flats of three or four
rooms, complete in themselves. Streets of the latter have been
lately built and the flats let readily at good rents. Premises for
single room letting is scanty, except in the poorer streets, where
the accommodation is by no means good, and the price comparatively
high, and where an almost continuous supervision is
necessary to keep them in a good state, as the water-closets and
drains are frequently blocked up, the water supply apparatus
injured or thrown out of gear, and in many cases dust bins and
other conveniences destroyed.