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64
The matter subsequently came before the Law and General Purposes Committee, who
did not think that the matter called for immediate action as a letter had been received from the
Great Western Railway Company stating that they were in communication with the Home
Office as to the erection of model dwellings.
By-Laws for Houses Let in Lodgings or Occupied by Members of more than One
Family.—During the past year the Council, upon the recommendation of the Public Health Committee,
resolved to register other 377 houses in North Kensington : but it was thought desirable
to delay the final steps in the procedure until such time as the Local Government Board should
have confirmed the proposed new by-laws. These houses therefore are not included in the list
on pp. 65-66. Under the provisions of the Sanitary Acts of 186G and 1874, regulations were made
by the late Vestry, in 1885, and upwards of 1,700 houses have been registered thereunder. The
Acts having been repealed, and modified provisions in respect to by-laws enacted in the Public
Health (London) Act, 1891, the Local Government Board addressed a circular letter on the
subject to the sanitary authorities in 1892, and again in 1894. The Board pointed out that the
powers conferred by the new Act (section 94) " differ in some respects from those exercisable
under section 35 of the Sanitary Act, 1866, and section 47 of the Sanitary Law Amendment
Act, 1874, in pursuance of which the regulations now in force (in Kensington) were made";
inasmuch as section 94 of the new Act, "no longer provides that such matters as the enforcement
of privy accommodation, the paving of premises, the notices to be given in case of infectious
or contagious disease, the cleansing of cisterns, or the keeping of water-closets in good order, &c.,
shall be dealt with by regulations applicable to houses let in lodgings. "These matters," it was
added, " can be otherwise dealt with: in some cases by by-laws made by the sanitary authority,
and applicable generally to all houses in the district, whether let in lodgings or not, and in others
by by-laws made by the London County Council." The Board at the same time forwarded
"a model series of by-laws, which they had caused to be prepared for the use of sanitary
authorities, under section 94 of the Act, drawn up after very careful consideration of the regulations
which might be properly enforced in the case of the class of houses to which the enactment
applies;" and it was suggested that existing regulations should be modified on the basis of the
model clauses. The matter was referred to the Sanitary Committee to consider, and report what
modifications were necessary or desirable to bring the existing regulations into conformity with
the provisions of the Act of 1891.
The subject being new to many members of the late Yestry, I gave an outline of former
proceedings in regard to it, in the annual report for 1894. To what was then said (pp. 191-199)
there is little to add now, inasmuch as the matter stands in much the same position as seven
years ago when the Sanitary Committee approved the modified series of by-laws I had drafted
for their consideration. Towards the close of 1901 the Public Health Committee resumed consideration
of the proposed amended by-laws, but at the close of the official year nothing had
been definitely settled.
Proposed additional by-Jaws.—It is a common practice with people having large families
to conceal the number of their children until after taking possession of their lodging—often
a single room; and then, should it be desired to get rid of them, the tedious process, by notices
and police-court proceedings, described in the annual report for 1889 (page 119), has to be gone
through, occupying many (at least six) weeks before possession can be obtained ; during which
interval the unfortunate landlord may not receive rent on peril of failure to obtain an ejectment
order. In regard to registered houses, the "keeper" is equally liable with the "lodger" for
the offence of overcrowding, and as was pointed out in the ninth report for 1896 (August 13th,
page 111), it would be well if a by-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, the late Yestry decided to apply to the Local Government Board for sanction to a bylaw
requiring the keeper 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 by-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 by-law
was made with a view to secure the provision and maintenance at "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, 1897)
recommended, and it was resolved—
"That the Vestry do approve of a draft by-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 final views on the subject of these proposed new by-laws
have not yet been received.