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106
various sources require inspection. So that the dwellings inspected
under the head "house-to-house" were suspected as being in an
insanitary condition—in a worse condition than others of the same
class. For this reason I do not think anything like the same proportion
of defects would be found in all dwellings in the Borough
assessed at £15 and under as was found in the 82 per cent. referred
to above.
I have made enquiries of the Borough Accountant as to the
number of dwellings assessed at £15 and under, and am informed
the number would be about 7,000. To make an annual inspection
of this number of dwellings in the Borough, in addition to the many
other duties carried out by the inspectorial staff, would, in my
opinion, be impossible, without some increase in the number of
inspectors. With the information at present at my disposal I should
say such an annual inspection would necessitate the appointment
of at least two additional inspectors to the permanent staff.
The reference also leaves it open to the Committee to consider
as an alternative to the annual inspection of all dwellings assessed
at £15 and under "whether any other action should be adopted."
To take a certain assessment as a guide for the selection of
dwellings to be annually inspected does not appear to me to be
the best means of ascertaining the dwellings most in need of inspection.
If the Committee desire to extend the house-to-house inspection
in the Borough beyond what is already done I think the better
plan would be to apply the by-laws for houses let in lodgings, which
have been adopted by the Council, more extensively than hitherto.
These by-laws may apply to unfurnished tenements which are let
at a weekly rental under 7s. per week. It is necessary in the first
place that particulars as to rental, &c., of the selected dwellings
shall be obtained before being registered by the Local Authority.
When registered the dwellings become subject to the by-laws,
which insures a yearly inspection. I am of opinion that the present
number of houses let in lodgings, which are registered under the