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53
The above figures show that generally speaking much more
activity has been exhibited in carrying out the important duty of
house-to-house inspection in those districts of the Borough which
from the character and status of the inhabitants most require
inspection. In two or three of the sanitary districts in which extensive
building operations were being carried on, the time of the
Inspectors has further been largely taken up in supervising
drainage operations, and consequently house-to-house inspections
have suffered relatively to the other Inspectors' districts.
The percentage of houses in which sanitary defects were on
inspection found to exist was 53.2 as compared with 68.5 in
1909, and varied from 32 per cent. in No. 5 district to 70 per cent.
in No. 7 district.
Preliminary and Statutory notices were served to remedy
these 1,830 defects.
Housing and Town Planning Act, 1909.
The Housing Act, 1909, imposes upon sanitary authorities
duties of an important character in connection with the sanitation
of house property. Under Section 17(1) the duty devolves upon
the sanitary authority "to cause to be made from time to time
inspection of their district with a view to ascertain whether any
dwelling-house therein is in a state so dangerous or injurious
to health as to be unfit for human habitation, and for that
purpose it shall be the duty of the local authority and of every
officer of the local authority to comply with such regulations and
to keep such records as may be prescribed by the Local Government
Board."
The Board made an Order dated the 2nd September, 1910,
prescribing regulations under Section 17 (1) of the Act, but action
in connection with the regulations has been deferred by the Council
until the beginning of 1911.
Houses let in Lodgings.
In the Borough of Battersea there are a small number of houses
let in lodgings under circumstances which render it desirable in
the interest of public health that they should be registered and
inspected at regular intervals.
By the end of 1909, 123 premises were on the register, and no
additional house was registered during the year.