View report page

139
yards, sanitary conveniences, and drainage. The houses were dirty
throughout, and a large amount of structural repair was necessary
to made them habitable.
These facts were laid before the owner who had several consultations
with me at the Town Hall. I pointed out to him that he
must make up his mind to carry out very extensive repairs or close
the houses within a limited period. Finally he decided to carry
out repairs, and during the last two or three months he has been
engaged in the necessary works. Each house is to be inspected by
me before it is re-let as a habitable dwelling, and the owner has
agreed to carry out all necessary alterations to bring each house up
to our requirements.
Dwelling-houses closed in 1904.—In addition to the
closures on the insanitary areas or on account of insanitation, there
have been a number of dwelling-houses closed by their owners, or
by the County Council, for reconstruction on the sites of premises
for commercial or industrial purposes, or for street improvement
schemes. As I have pointed out elsewhere, the Borough tends to
become more and more a commercial district, and dwelling-houses
are being superseded every year by business premises. How
rapidly this is taking place will be seen in the following returns.
Further, it is to be noted how considerable is the reduction in
resident population brought about by these changes.